NORFOLK, Va. — Local students are making a movie at the Hurrah Players TV and Film Academy in Norfolk’s Neon District.
Max Marsh has always loved watching old horror movies with his dad.
“Seeing films at that young age and growing up with them, I really wanted to learn more about them aside from watching,” he said.
And now he can, thanks to local filmmaker Mike Bibbo, who cut his teeth in the industry working at News 3. He was asked by Hurrah Players founder Hugh Copeland to design and build the new film school.
“You learn a lot of things — lighting, sound. I feel like acting, too,” said student Sophie Gurdhaf.
The academy offers after-school classes for middle and high school students.
“Editing, post-production, studio production, animation, scriptwriting,” said Bibbo.
It even includes comedy sketch writing.
“I really like comedy skits,” said student Jason Collier. “I feel like the camera shots and lighting are very useful.”
“My mom and I have been searching for a film academy, and this is the only one that offers this type of experience. It’s pretty cool,” said student Gabe Otto.
“I wanted to learn about filming, but then I got really into editing. It was pretty fun,” student Ian Mclean said.
The Hurrah TV and Film Academy, which is growing the next generation of filmmakers, is a positive force in Hampton Roads.
https://www.hurrahplayers.com/tv-film-academy/
8/26/2026, 08:32 PM
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