This summer, three Hartford Public School students participated in the Eye on Video program at Real Art Ways. In partnership with the Hartford Film Company, Real Arts Ways hosts the paid summer apprentice program that offers teens the opportunity to learn the art of filmmaking from local Teaching Artists and career-skills training to prepare them for today’s creative workplace. During the program, apprentices learn the fundamentals of screenwriting, film production, and editing in a collaborative classroom setting. Each apprentice created their own short film, which was showcased at the program’s end-of-summer premiere. Apprentices attended class Monday through Friday (9 am – 3 pm) for 6 weeks from June 23 – August 1.
The Teaching Artists were TJ Noel Sullivan and Sophie Morganstern from the Hartford Film Company. The Summer 2025 Advanced Apprentices included Taína Tolson, Adia Hill, Josiah Perez-Henry, Sande Min, Julia Weston, Hailey Madramootoo, Chiu Yen Vergara, Marcus Cox, Cordell Shepard.
Meet them and watch their films, below.
The Other Room by Daniellle Rodriguez, a senior at Weaver High School
Beyblade Neo Genesis by Delta (Okemos) Lewis, a junior at Classical Magnet School
UNO OUT by Aaron Wilson, a 2025 graduate of Pathways Academy of Technology and Design
Teaching Artist, TJ Noel Sullivan, an HPS graduate from Classical Magnet School who attended Yale, reflects, "The Eye On Video program continues to provide a springboard for Hartford area students, giving them the tools and knowledge necessary to spark a career in filmmaking. As a Hartford Public Schools alumni myself, it was my summer at Real Art Ways a decade ago that put me on the path to directing my own films, and we love our role in helping instruct the next generation of local filmmakers. Coming out of COVID, we’ve seen the program continue to grow, and we’re already looking forward to next summer."
Learn more about the program by watching the below video.
Have questions? Please email Real Art Ways Learning & Engagement Coordinator, Miller Opie at (mopie@realartways.org).