Real to Reel FilmSchool
Real to Reel (R2R) empowers students by providing access to resources and tools that might otherwise be out of reach. Using top-tier equipment, including Mac computers, Adobe software like Premiere and Photoshop, and advanced cameras such as Canon 60D, 1DX, and Sony A7SII, our students dive into the world of digital filmmaking, photography, and animation. They gain hands-on experience with industry-standard technology, equipping them with valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom and into other digital art fields.
Our program is rooted in the ethics of photography and filmmaking. We emphasize the importance of consent, best practices for working with clients and models, and creating environments where everyone feels comfortable and safe. Students learn not just how to capture images, but how to communicate respectfully and effectively through their art.
At R2R, we believe in the power of storytelling as a means of self-expression and communication. Our students are encouraged to explore their unique perspectives—often underrepresented—and create projects that reflect their voices and experiences. Through a blend of critique, discussion on representation in media, and inspiration drawn from current events and popular culture, we foster a space where young filmmakers feel seen and heard.
Our approach is deeply influenced by art therapy practices, guiding students to delve into topics that matter to them and our community. We strive to use our program and the projects that emerge from it to spread love and positivity, making a meaningful impact both within our program and beyond.
Real to Reel Film Screening
Tuesday, May 26th from 6-8pm | The Cabot Theater, Beverly
4+5pm - Free shuttle from RAW to Beverly
5pm - Red Carpet Call for Filmmakers
5:30 - Family + Friends arrive to take their seats
R2R is celebrating 26 years of youth filmmaking with our annual Real to Reel Film Screening! This year’s screening will feature films by all four of our FilmSchool groups, including: Animation, POV, Take One, and Filmmakers for Community, a paid Talent and Purpose group of advanced high schoolers. R2R youth had to think outside the box with this year’s theme: Undercurrents.
Undercurrents invites us to notice what moves beneath the surface of who we are, how we relate, and the world we inhabit. Like tides, roots, and mycelium networks, unseen forces shape our thoughts, our actions, and our connections to others long before they surface. This is a space to honor silence, witness tension, and recognize the courage it takes to let something rise to the surface and be known.
This event is free and open to the public, and is part of Art Week, a weeklong celebration of the accomplishments of our youth artists and filmmakers.
Real to Reel Film Screening
〰️
Tuesday, May 26
〰️
6-8pm
〰️
The Cabot Theater - Beverly
〰️
Free Shuttle to and from RAW
〰️
Real to Reel Film Screening 〰️ Tuesday, May 26 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ The Cabot Theater - Beverly 〰️ Free Shuttle to and from RAW 〰️
Take One - 7th + 8th Grade
In Take One, 7th & 8th grade filmmakers will explore the basics of film & photo production. We will set a foundation that they can build upon in their following years at the R2R program. Starting with camera basics, we will build each group member's confidence with a camera, starting with photography before moving to animation and video projects. This group will also emphasize team building & working together as a crew, through a series of small projects that accumulate into final group film(s) for the end of year screening.
Intro to FilmmakingPOV (Point of View) - High School
This group centers on identity, vulnerability, and self-expression through filmmaking. Students explore personal narrative using techniques from memoir, documentary, and experimental film. They write and workshop story ideas, shoot independently and collaboratively, and learn editing and post-production skills. With guidance from teaching artists and guest filmmakers, POV participants build deep technical knowledge while crafting meaningful, expressive work rooted in their own lives.
Personal Storytelling Through FilmDigital + Analog AnimationAnimation - Middle + High School
In this mixed-age group, students bring drawings, textures, and collage materials to life using stop motion, cut-out animation, and digital compositing techniques. This class bridges traditional art and digital media, giving students a solid foundation in sequential visual storytelling. Participants explore metaphor and emotion through movement, learning to animate concepts that can’t be expressed with live-action alone. This is a great option for both new and returning students, especially those interested in hands-on, image-driven storytelling.
Talent + Purpose (TAP) GroupFilmmakers for Community - Advanced High School
This TAP group is the advanced level of the R2R program, catering to high school students withextensive filmmaking experience. Admission to TAP requires an interview, as students will be working on outward-facing projects that serve and reflect the community. This class emphasizes professional collaboration, with students creating projects that are not only artistically significant but also socially impactful. Students in TAP will gain real-world experience by working with clients and will be compensated for their work, preparing them for future careers in the industry.