William S. Hart gazed down on a new generation of filmmakers Saturday at the park that bears his name in Newhall. Up for review was a series of silent films created by local school children, supervised by student mentors from California Institute of the Arts.

The silent film workshop ran in July and August, during which the films were created by SCV youth between the ages of 10 and 17. They were educated about the history of silent films as well as the history of one of the silent era’s biggest stars.

Hart was a major box-office draw from the early 1900s until his last picture in 1925. After he retired from film making, he settled in Newhall remained in the valley until his death in 1946.

“There was an idea of bringing more kids and families to the park and also teaching people about the silent film legacy of William S. Hart,” said Alice Schock, Civic Arts collection manager for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

“My grandmother said this was right up my alley,” said student Kenny Write. “I like it because I like to make a lot of jokes where you don’t talk.”

SCVTV will be working with the student filmmakers and their CalArts instructors, and televise the films at a later date.

For more information about the county Arts Commission visit lacountyarts.org.