Lights, Camera, Teamwork! Johnson City Students Debut Short Film

What began as a simple lesson in filmmaking quickly grew into something much bigger for a group of Johnson City Middle School students in the Binghamton University Liberty Partnerships Program.

Working alongside Sam from Syn Productions, students stepped into every role it takes to make a movie — from acting and directing to scriptwriting, camera work, and production. They learned the nuts and bolts of storytelling: how camera angles change perspective, how sequencing builds suspense, and how collaboration can turn an idea into something real.

The result? A thoughtful short film that reflects how these students see Liberty. They wanted their story to capture both the struggles young people face and the support they find within the program. In the film, a son asks his father not to miss senior night — but the story goes deeper. A Liberty counselor, played by Heather, reaches out to the student, listens in her office, and offers encouragement. She helps him see a brighter future and even secure a scholarship for school.

By writing the entire script themselves, students honored the role Liberty plays in their lives: a place where caring counselors step in, offer guidance, and open doors to new opportunities. For them, including this storyline wasn’t just about filmmaking — it was about showing how much it matters to have someone in your corner.

For some students, the biggest challenge was stepping in front of the camera. For others, it was making sure each shot lined up with the script. Each role mattered, and together they discovered the magic of storytelling — not just as entertainment, but as a way to heal, connect, and share something meaningful.

This project was more than a film; it was a hands-on lesson in creativity, resilience, and social-emotional learning. And it’s only the beginning. The BU LPP looks forward to helping students continue using storytelling as a tool to tackle big ideas and share their voices with the world.