Hi Trisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. Many things got me to where I am today but I think the thing that kicked it off was working at WTAE on their project 4the412. I got to use my video creation skills, became a producer because of it and realized how much I liked telling other peoples stories from start to finish. I always wanted to make my own YouTube but didn’t start until there and with a great team, I became confident in my skills and knew it was my calling. That role also got me in front of the camera through vlogging and video journalism, and through filming events and deliverables I got to know a lot of people, made some great friends, and ultimately met the people I am still working with today in 2026. I continued making videos on my own for YouTube and other social medias after that project ended for my own brands 412nes and Spacebar Productions. Then in 2022 I got a new job as a teaching artist at WQED and I soon grew into a manager role, and working with teens and others to help bring their ideas to life felt right. It was rewarding, plus having a creative group of people to collaborate with and give them chances to create like I did through 4the412, especially with narrative work, was great. I started Magic Hour Creative along with some friends and past colleagues in June of 2025. I’ve always dreamed of owning my own “business” of some sort and knew I loved to mentor from my previous work experiences, and even just working with bands and artists when I would be interviewing them for my own video work. I like being able to not say harsh no’s to people. I like to collaborate and compromise and find something we can really make. Being told no, or having no place to start, or knowing what you want but not having a group to help was a big struggle in my life for so long, from being a teen into adulthood. When a space was made available thanks to a new connection with Lightbulb Rentals through our good friend PJ Gaynard, we knew it was time to do our own thing. My wife Andrea, friends, and colleagues jumped in and just started doing. We renovated the space and are continuing to make it better. We found creatives and teens who wanted to create and needed a space to learn, and kind people to teach and guide along the way — a place where they felt seen and heard. We are a safe and comfortable space. We have desks and chairs where you can work, but also cozy couches and chairs for a more relaxed environment. We can visit, create, watch movies, play games, hold events, make films and podcasts, and anything that comes our way. Really, I think every step in my life has led me here. Looking back at my high school yearbook, I said my goal was in 20 years to “own a music venue where bands can hang and eat snacks.” And this is so much more than that, but bands can play small gigs here, we can make music videos for them as we do freelance work, and snacks help make it fun, but it’s also about feeling comfortable and at home. I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far? Some of it has been smooth, and some a big challenge. Finding work, funding, and a space for our projects was tough at first, and getting students and clients on board takes constant effort. Everyone donates their time to build Magic Hour from the ground up. We’ve been able to pay our team occasionally through gigs or grants, but most of the time we rely on volunteer support. The reward is seeing the impact: people tell us we’re doing meaningful work and wish they had a space like this when they were younger. Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Magic Hour Creative? Magic Hour Creative is a place where teens and creatives come together to make stuff and actually see their ideas come to life. We’ve become a filmmaking hub, a safe space, and an event space—somewhere people can learn, collaborate, and just be themselves. It’s pretty punk rock and DIY, which fits all of our personalities and my own style. We’re not the “usual”—we embrace our differences and our “weirdness,” and when we bounce ideas off each other, amazing things happen. The majority of our crew is LGBTQIA+, and everyone builds each other up while creating. We specialize in filmmaking, media creation, storytelling, and whatever else sparks creativity. I’m most proud of building Magic Hour from the ground up with my wife, friends, and colleagues. It’s a space where people feel seen, heard, and inspired, whether they’re making films, holding events, or just hanging out. At the end of the day, we want everyone to leave knowing they can create something awesome—and have fun doing it. Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to? Yes, we’ve had so many people help out. PJ from the 48 Hour Film Festival and Goat Milk Fudge Productions introduced us to great connections that helped make Magic Hour possible. Alyssa and Joe from Lightbulb Rentals brought us into their space and let us make it our own. Our friend Heather Hopkins, who has such a lovely spirit and positive energy, helped get the space ready, brainstorm ideas, and contributed in so many ways—she’s also a filmmaker and actress, so her experience was invaluable. Really, there are so many people who have helped along the way. Everyone who knows about us or discovers us becomes an encourager, advocate, and cheerleader. It’s really amazing to feel that kind of support and community around what we’re building.