Heights Middle School Shorts – Page 6 – Stories • Films • Music

February 15, 2021

Five Questions for Antonio Harper, Lead Film Instructor

We recently sat down (socially distanced, of course!) with HMSS film instructor Antonio Harper, who shared his perspective on what makes a successful camper, what excites him about the camp, and more:

1. How did you decide to get into filmmaking?

I didn’t realize that film was something that I wanted to do early on. I always had a passion for writing and telling stories (when I could sit still enough to do so) and at first I would make comic books and act out the comics with my toys, something that would translate to storyboarding later on. My dad always loved taking me to movies and watching classics that would come on at night.

I started off making videos for my family vacations and didn’t realize that film was a “career” path until mom had me attend a Cleveland Heights summer camp where I had signed up for the “Stocks” program. My mom saw an “Interactive Media” program run by the High School’s program teacher, Mr. Glass, and signed me up unknowingly. After the first day I was amazed that this was something I could pursue, and the rest is history. As I got older I found that film was the best way I knew how to communicate with others.

February 8, 2021February 9, 2021

5 Reasons to Attend Heights Middle School Shorts

Thinking about applying to Heights Middle School Shorts? Here are five reasons you should:

1. You Will Learn from Great Instructors

We’ve got an impressive group of instructors lined up at Height Middle School Shorts for our Summer 2021 camp: a Heights grad with a film and television degree who’s worked on a major production, an actor and teacher who’s been performing on Northeast Ohio stages for more than ten years, a former songwriter with extensive experience helping kids cultivate their creative writing talents, and a music instructor who’s worked in local theater productions.

Just the right mix to bring HMSS campers the practical experience and perspective they need.

January 31, 2021March 3, 2021

Introducing the 2021 Instructors

‘It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.’
– Albert Einstein

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re pleased to present our Height Middle School Shorts instructors for the Summer 2021 camp:

Antonio Harper, Filmmaking and Film Editing Instructor

Antonio has been making films for more than ten years. From shooting a home-movie version of 007 with his sisters when he was 13 to working with Yann Demange on the set of White Boy Rick in 2017, his skills are vast and his growth is rapid. He attended Cleveland State University from 2013 to 2017 and earned a degree in Film and Television.

January 28, 2021February 9, 2021

This Is Why…

We asked the founders, instructors, and committee members of Heights Middle School Shorts to tell us why they’re helping bring the camp to life. Here’s what they told us:

January 25, 2021February 9, 2021

What’s new at Heights Middle School Shorts? Plenty!

We’re thrilled to report that over the past few weeks, there have been a number of key milestones met and goals achieved for Heights Middle School Shorts 2021, and that the camp is coming together nicely.

Here are four of the most significant developments:

Application Period Open

The application period is now open for the camp and, based on the number of applications we’ve received so far, student response to the camp has been overwhelming. We’re excited to see so many kids interested in HMSS!

Potential campers have two more weeks to apply for the 2021 Heights Middle School Shorts, so students should apply today to make sure they don’t miss the February 5 deadline. Visit our website for details on how to apply (a simple process using our new online application form).

January 13, 2021

Pandemic Protocol

The safety and well-being of Heights Middle School Shorts campers, families, and staff are of utmost importance. We will continue to monitor Cuyahoga County and State of Ohio COVID-19 protocols and follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of the virus.

If the situation dictates, we will adjust the camp to a virtual setting, rather than in person. If we must postpone the camp or change HMSS programming for any reason, we will inform all campers, families, and school partners of those changes as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience as we work to provide the best possible HMSS camp experience!

January 11, 2021February 9, 2021

A Camp Is Born…

The show will go on! And the middle school students of Cleveland Heights and University Heights will be right in the – no pun intended – middle of it.

Heights Middle School Shorts

After working in partnership with Ensemble Theatre for four years to introduce our students to the dramatic arts through the Heights Performing Arts Camp, we’re going all-in on film.

This summer, Building Heights is launching Heights Middle School Shorts, a three-week mixed-media film arts camp for CH-UH middle school students, where up to 30 students going into grades 6, 7, and 8, will discover their own creativity and artistic expression – the majority of whom will attend the camp at no cost.

Heights Middle School Shorts will help CHUH students tell stories through the medium of film. Working in small groups and guided by local professionals experienced in filmmaking, writing, acting, music, and facilitating youth creative expression – including in particular our principal instructors Antonio Harper and James Rankin, and Amy Rosenbluth of Lake Erie Ink – HMSS campers will write short stories that they will turn into short films containing short musical scores.