At Magic Hour Creative in Carrick, young filmmakers are learning more than just how to make movies.
They’re learning how to trust their ideas.
Co-founder and creative director Tricia Hosac (she/her) says one of the most rewarding parts of the work is watching students realize their creative visions matter, especially after years of being told otherwise.
“My favorite part is getting to see their ideas come together,” she says. “Teaching them to use their voice and stand up for what they want.”
Magic Hour Creative offers hands-on experience in filmmaking and media production, with students working on everything from narrative films and horror projects to interviews and podcast-style video content. One recent student project even included an interview with guitarist Reba Meyers at Tech 25.
But alongside the technical skills, community also forms.
While not explicitly advertised as an LGBTQ+ space, Magic Hour has become a gathering place for queer and trans students, many of whom are looking for somewhere they can create, connect, and simply exist comfortably outside of school or home environments.
“It’s a safe place because we found each other,” Tricia says.
That sense of care is intentional. Whether students come to make films, experiment creatively, or just spend time in the lounge area, Magic Hour is offering something many young people have been missing, a place to be their whole selves.
In many ways, it’s the kind of creative refuge the founders wish they had growing up and now they’re building it for the next generation.