Building Heights Looks Back on Busy Year

Building Heights, the area non-profit that runs the film-writing and producing program Heights Middle School Shorts, has been busy this year. 

Over the summer, they ran two successful multi-week camps for local teens, both free of charge. The first followed the traditional HMSS model, now in its fifth season, with students writing, directing, and filming their own short films, while also acting in the films of their fellow campers. Those seven films were presented to the community at a public showing at the Cedar Lee Theatre at the end of June.  

Their second camp, HMSS II, engaged the students in working together to create and film a documentary. This was following the successful filming of They opted to focus on the film industry, specifically on Donna Dabbs, the executive director of the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation, GCUFF. Under the guidance of multiple Emmy-award winning director Kara White, the students produced A Day in the Life of Donna Dabbs, which was selected to open the GCUFF Film Festival in September. 

Building Heights Executive Director Jen Holland said of their collaboration with Ms. White, “she means business. She knows everything about the film industry and I will always use her if I have the chance.” Ms. White was joined by her husband Adam, with whom she co-owns the Cleveland-based production company, Hemlock Films. 

In addition to all that, Building Heights also took a group of five middle school filmmakers to Los Angeles over the summer to learn more about the industry from the people who know it best. With several chaperones and staff people, students visited the University of Southern California, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and other industry landmarks. 

A highlight of their trip was meeting with Create Now, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that offers educational programming in filmmaking to disadvantaged youth. “They are so embedded in the industry,” said Holland, who called meeting them “an inspiration.” 

students who attended the trip connected with professionals in their field of interest, making connections and maintaining contact. They were able to speak with cinematographers, set designers, and film editors, among others. “We really immersed ourselves in the world of film,” said Holland.

And of course, they filmed their trip! With the help of Ms. White and photographer McKinley Wyley, they created the short documentary, HMSS Goes to Hollywood, which premiered at the high school on September 20th, when Building Heights hosted a roundtable with actor, producer and Shaker Heights native, Kym Whitley. “People in that room were so inspired by her,” said Holland. “She’s a giver.” The event was moderated by Heights High teacher and Building Heights collaborator Cynthia Booker.

But that’s not all! Building Heights also engaged student filmmakers, including those from Heights High’s Career Technical Education classes, and worked alongside the Cleveland Heights Green Team and Long Division Creative to create another documentary about the revitalization of the Caledonia neighborhood. GreenPrint exposes the true story and true cost of systemic environmental injustice and will premiere in Heights High’s mini auditorium this Thursday, October 16th. To learn more or RSVP, please click here.

Of this whirlwind year, Holland says “We’ve been placed on the map as a reputable group of filmmakers.” We can only wait to see what comes next.