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Film Set Scene

Lens of Change

Youth Filmmaking Program | Erie, PA

About Lens of Change | Erie, PA

Lens of Change is a dynamic youth filmmaking program where students learn the fundamentals of storytelling, production, and editing — all while creating original short films based on their own lived experiences. By empowering students to take creative ownership of their stories, Rhoxon fosters collaboration, technical skill building, and career exposure in a thriving creative economy. This immersive experience is designed to bring industry-grade film education directly into classrooms.

 

This program is available either during the school year or as a school summer program in Erie, PA.

Why film? Why now?

Research shows that arts education not only supports student engagement and emotional expression but also boosts academic achievement, critical thinking, and career readiness. Students involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement (Arts Education Partnership). Arts-integrated programs correlate with lower dropout rates and higher attendance. Creative experiences like filmmaking help build essential 21st-century skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.

Student Benefits

  • Portfolio-ready short films 

  • Insight into film and media careers

  • On-the-job learning and project-based instruction

  • Confidence and self-expression through storytelling

  • Opportunities to network with professionals in film and digital media

Who do we work with?

  • High school, middle school, or grades 3-5

  • Title 1 and underserved schools are especially encouraged to apply

  • Up to 15 students per cohort per cycle

Student films from the “Lens of Change” program will be shown at a student film festival in 2026!​

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Student Filmmaking Packages

1

Day
Pass

  • 1 Day

  • 1 Rhoxon teaching artist on site

  • One Short Film Created

2

Essentials Package

  • 1 week intensive

  • Ideal for a quick, high-impact arts residency experience

  • One short film created

  • Prewritten production templates and basic camera/audio training

  • Final in-school screening and digital copies for student portfolios

3

Enhanced Package

  • 2-week experience ideal for schools looking to introduce professional-level film training

  • Guest speaker Zoom sessions with industry professionals

  • Student-led group work

  • Custom storytelling workshop for personal narratives

  • Full film production cycle | development, production, and post-production

  • Community film showcase for friends and family

4

Premier
Package

  • Semester-long (12-16 weeks) 

  • Ideal for schools building a full arts/film career pathway or CTE program

  • Guest speaker Zoom sessions with industry professionals

  • Full curriculum integration with ongoing mentorship

  • Multiple short films produced per student/small group

  • Final red-carpet style showcase event as part of Rhoxon’s film festival programming

  • One-to-one student feedback and editing sessions

  • Access to Rhoxon’s professional film gear (cameras, lights, sound kits, etc.)

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