Reel Works Pairs Young Filmmakers with Professional Mentors

A key tenet of Reel Works’ mission statement is 1:1 mentorship between an industry professional and a youth filmmaker. Reel Works currently has over 50 volunteer mentors working individually with after-school students. Mentorship yields positive outcomes for both personal development and the quality of films produced by first-time filmmakers.

Annually, each after-school film lab (Doc Lab, Narrative Lab, Doc Fellows, Narrative Fellows) is introduced to a group of filmmakers who are there to support the students as they produce their own individual and collaborative films. These events, known as Meet and Greets, allow mentors and students to interact and learn more about each other before being paired 1:1. First encounters span from shy introductions, to animated debates on preferred film genres or superiority between cats and dogs.

After ice breakers, group activities, and individual conversations, students and mentors give feedback on who they would most like to work with. The reasons for selecting a mentor can range from admiring their work, to relating personally to their experiences. One student in the Narrative Lab who is writing a script about immigrating to America, connected with a Peruvian filmmaker who shared the experience of immigrating and finding their voice as a filmmaker.  In the Doc Lab, a student is making a documentary about the Bronx and encouraging people to stay and invest in their community. This student was paired with a filmmaker who creates short films on the different boroughs and neighborhoods of New York.

For the next six to nine months, mentors and students will connect weekly to discuss their film projects, career advice, share film recommendations, and more. The 1:1 mentorship delivered by a caring and present adult will make all the difference as Reel Works’ filmmakers produce their first films.