A group of Syracuse area high school students are participating in a four-week summer project called “Teens With a Movie Camera,” where they create original short films using everyday objects and their smartphones. The initiative is led by Mišo Suchý, associate professor of film and media arts (FMA) at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), Evan Bode, FMA instructor, and Lida Suchy, adjunct in photography at Onondaga Community College. Several undergraduate and graduate FMA students also assist with the program.
According to Bode, the goal is to connect the university with surrounding neighborhoods. “The initiative ‘is a way to break out of the university bubble a little bit and connect to the neighborhoods around it, creating a new web of connections between neighbors and neighborhoods so that what we do here as artists and teachers can reach more people,’” he says.
This year’s theme, “Our Place in Space,” integrates both art and science topics. Participants learn about cinematic storytelling, animation, light and shadow, film editing, creative sound design, astronomy discoveries by Carl Sagan, Syracuse astronaut Jeanette Epps’ space missions, Manual Cinema’s techniques, early cinema history such as “A Trip to the Moon,” and visited Holden Observatory on campus.
Mišo Suchý notes that while his research in filmmaking informs the project, its main purpose is empowering young artists. “We have a lot of talented and hardworking youth in this community, and I think they have things to say. Empowering young creatives may be as simple as listening, giving your time and attention and respecting their vision,” he says.
Suchý also emphasizes independent cinema’s approach: “We explore how teens can use accessible filmmaking strategies to craft fantastical stories of adventure and exploration and how can they reach the moon while standing here in Syracuse… At first, these questions may seem impossible, but that’s exactly why they require creative thinking to uncover the answers.”
Workshops are held at Shaffer Art Building on campus. Lida Suchy observes that this environment helps students envision attending college. “We do find that they become more comfortable with the idea of the college campus environment and can see themselves in it much more clearly,” she says.
Participants report positive experiences. Laniya Tillie from Nottingham High School says: “It makes me feel really good about myself. I get to jump into my creative side and actually make all the things in my head come to life… I want to create shows that help people have a comfort place.” Shantell Shallo from Corcoran High School joined after moving from Georgia: “[For this] you just look at the stuff you have around you… And if it doesn’t work, you get something else. It’s all just getting, building, thinking.”
Morgan Albano ’25 assists while applying for law schools: “It’s mostly around the ethos of building community and trying to work together to make art projects that feel fun… everybody who’s here has a chance to contribute meaningfully.”
Graduate student Shokoofeh Jabbari G’25 highlights learning about American culture through working with teens: “Working with teens, you get to know what they like to see and what this generation needs.”
Suchý describes his research approach: “What I’m trying to do is to make movies from within the community… My hope is that it is kind of a dialogue.”
Previous projects were screened publicly at venues such as Everson Museum of Art and Watson Theater. This year’s films will premiere February 7, 2026 at ArtRage Gallery in Syracuse as part of an exhibition running through March 21 during Syracuse Symposium.
Bode adds: “‘I think whenever we show something on a screen, that’s a way of saying that it matters… And so I hope that the teens leave with the message that their voices matter… celebrating it on the big screen with their community is a beautiful way of doing that in a way that can be affirming and empowering.’”
The project receives support from various local organizations including VPA; SOURCE undergraduate research program; Engaged Humanities Network; CNY Arts Inc.; North Side Learning Center; Light Work; Urban Video Project; Syracuse City School District; Nottingham High School; Say Yes to Education Syracuse; Syracuse University Humanities Center; CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts & Cultural Engagement regrant program administered by New York State Council on the Arts; Syracuse Symposium; Central New York Community Foundation.
