A NONPROFIT STUDIO FOR PITTSBURGH TEENS
Your Teen's Story STARTs here.
Magic Hour Academy is a year-round creative studio for Pittsburgh high schoolers (grades 9–12). Students produce films, podcasts, and journalism pieces — building technical skills, a professional portfolio, and the confidence to take creative risks. Our clubs meet Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 4–8 PM.
GRADES 9-12
After-school & summer
CARRICK
South Pittsburgh studio
$0 - $150
Sliding-scale tuition
Supported by
WHAT IS MAGIC HOUR?
A creative third space for teens to grow in.
We're a nonprofit creative studio in Carrick. Every session is led by industry mentors, structured around a real project, and open to teens regardless of family budget.
A Safe, Supervised Studio
Background-checked mentors. Structured sessions with clear goals each week. A welcoming, well-lit space parents can drop their teen at — and feel good about.
01
Real Skills, Real Portfolio
Students leave with completed films, music videos, and podcasts — work they can submit to colleges, scholarships, and creative job applications.
02
Open to Every Teen
Sliding-scale pricing from $0 to $150/month plus a Free Week Pass means no Pittsburgh teen is priced out of telling their story.
03
OUR PROGRAMS
Two ways to start.
One door in.
Whether your teen wants to test the waters after school or dive into a full feature over the summer, there's a program built for them.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
"
A fun, fulfilling experience that put me into a structured film set with mentors that guided learning
"
Good film programs are not always available, and those that are either are not very productive or not very personal and accepting. I think magic hour does both — we get stuff done and make great films, but we also have a great accepting environment and opportunities for everyone.
96 %
of students say Magic Hour made them more confident as a creator.
2025 end-of-semester student survey · n=42
FOR PARENTS
Ready to see if it's right for your teen?
Sign up for a free week — no commitment, no cost. Your teen attends two full sessions, meets the mentors, and leaves with a short piece of work. You decide if it's a fit.
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Two full studio sessions, completely free
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Meet every mentor your teen will work with
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No card on file. No "intro pricing." No catch
our 2026 film project
Babe. the kids are posers !
From Script to Screen: Capture the story from every angle. Pittsburgh students (Grades 9-12) will spend the summer working under industry mentorship to produce a narrative film "Babe, The Kids are Posers" and an accompanying documentary "The Story of Magic Hour", mastering both scripted and non-fiction filmmaking.