UTICA - You know how they say appearances can be deceiving?  Well it was no truer than on what seemed to be an ordinary day in West Utica, when you'd be surprised at what's going on behind closed doors at the Polish Community Club.

Four filmmakers., one from Germany, one from Mexico, one from England and one from right here in Utica, spending four weeks shooting each of their four short films for their senior thesis at the New York Film Academy in New York City.

Local filmmaker maker Matt Ossowski says this is the last step before the real world. "This is our final chance to show what we get before we go into the real world," Ossowski

English filmmaker George Hamilton says this area fits his project well.  "We worked on quite a few projects together," Hamilton said.  "I came up and was doing some research about the area and the story fit, so we all decided to come on up,"

All four, one from Germany who is currently back in New York City, met at film school; and found that while each of their films was very different from the other, Utica offered just the eclectic mix of locations they needed for their films. An idea that proved helpful in more ways than one.

"We've been able to find the right locations, the right feel for each of the films," Hamilton said.  "so, it was a creative decision that's proved efficient."  

Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Sescosse likes the variety the area offers.  "The locations are great. You have urban settings, farms and everything in between them," Sescosse said.  "It's very cost efficient."

The crew spent a good portion of this week filming scenes at the Polish Community Club for Hamilton's movie about a father and son exploring their relationship on a road trip together. Later this week, the crew moves on to more scenes at Charlestown Mall right outside Utica.

All four films will go into the post production process and then make their way to the film festival circuit.