Student Stories
Ava Elle McGlynn - Seven (Writer/Director)
Coming into freshman year of high school I couldn’t fathom what I wanted to do after high school or focus on during high school. Everyone around me joined sports, drama clubs, or another after-school activity. I have always had a love and passion for movies and television, making iMovie edits in my room and writing little short stories but I never thought of it to be something that other people cared about too. After finding Off The Script Films on Instagram I was beyond excited to know that peers around me had the same interest and wanted to truly create films together. I have worked on a handful of projects with OTS so far and this community has genuinely taught me many things. I have made lifelong friends, broadened my creative horizons, and opened my eyes to beautiful art. Knowing that there are like-minded kids my age who love and care for these films this organization has truly changed my life and I am so proud of everything we have accomplished.
Cameron Parker - Detective Carlson (The Report)
Working on “The Report” for OTS Films was a truly unique experience. I had never done any screen acting prior to this film and the entire team was so gracious in helping me transition from stage to screen. There was always clear and helpful communication between everyone involved and there was never a time where my time was wasted in any way which was incredibly efficient and professional. All-in-all I loved working on this film and wish the team and everyone at OTS a successful future in film-making.
Bella Monzo - Engram (Producer)
Working with such a dedicated cast and crew on the production of Engram was an overall incredible experience. All members of OTS are passionate and hard workers who are constantly eager to not only succeed in the film industry but also to share knowledge, lend helping hands, and be supportive team members, even outside of their work. Through the difficult time of COVID-19, school work, and family priorities, our team never failed in working hard and staying on task. Our work was strategic while working with such a tight schedule, and each member was constantly in the mindset of making this short film the best that it could be! Our hard work paid off. Working with such talented people makes me realize how this type of environment, filming and behind the scenes, is a career that I want to pursue in my life. I am truly amazed by the dedication each member possessed through production and can not wait to work with them more in the future!
Adam Snook – Producer (Wire)
What amazes me the most about a job in filmmaking is how much expertise is required to make one film. Once I started working as a producer for the independent film Wire (2024) for Off the Script Films, I was definitely put to the test of my abilities. However, the astounding professionality and growth-mindset of OTS allowed me to flourish and improve in areas that would surely benefit me down the line as a film producer, as well as getting the opportunity to guide the crew in areas in which I have strength in. The adroitness of everyone on Wire made the experience of working with Off the Script Films something extremely memorable. To put my experience with a team that is so assiduous and ambitious in a paragraph is merely a task I cannot do. What I can say is that this has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
Jess Eichen - The Con Artist (Writer/Director)
Before I started working with Off The Script, I didn’t have any real experience making films with other people, much less with other teenagers like me. I was amazed by how talented everyone was. Everyone’s unique skills are brought out and utilized so that everything that goes into making an amazing production is covered. I see more experienced members encourage new members to pursue their interests. Nate Drew has a clear vision for the future of independent filmmaking. Teenagers like me with not a lot of money or resources should be able to share in this art form. He has been finding other like-minded and equally talented young people to help make that vision a reality. Nate has a knack for business, art, story, innovation, and acceleration, and this studio has been rapidly growing because of it.
Maya Schmitt - The Last Nugget (Cinematographer)
Going into high school, I was interested in filmmaking and always wished that I could have a bigger group of people to make movies with. Before getting involved in Off The Script Films, the only person I could convince to make something with me was my younger sister. But through marching band, I got to know Nate, who introduced me to OTS. Since then, I have learned a lot about filmmaking by working on several different projects throughout my freshman year. OTS has given me the opportunity to explore cinematography with my peers in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I am excited to continue working with OTS and see what new projects this year brings!
