[menu] [search]
(X)

What can we help you find?

Locals Unscripted: Making it in CT

Why Connecticut is the Wild West (in a Good Way)

Filmmakers Abby Horton and Ryan Dickey left the grind of New York City for Connecticut’s wide-open creative frontier—and discovered a place where no one’s looking over your shoulder, and bold ideas can run free.

In this candid conversation, they share how the state’s tight-knit creative community, diverse landscapes, and fearless spirit gave them the freedom to make their first feature film and dream even bigger.

From pandemic-era movie shoots in Middletown to a daring vision for Hartford’s film scene, this episode is a masterclass in finding your place—and your voice—in the Wild West of creativity.

This is the place to make our future.

Abby Horton, Filmmaker
1

Who are you and what do you make?

Ryan: I’m Ryan Dicki, a filmmaker. Abby and I started making films together about 12 years ago. We lived in New York for a long time, have been in Connecticut for five years, and make feature films, short films, commercials, and music videos. We love to cook and play tennis.

Abby: I’m Abby Horton. I grew up in Middletown, went to Wesleyan, spent about ten years in New York City, and now we’re back in Marlborough. My dad’s side is from Hebron, so I have a lot of connections to the state. It’s great to be back.

3

Tell us about making your first feature in Connecticut—what did you learn?

We shot in October 2020—peak pandemic—after leaving New York and living with family in Middletown. The city helped with locations and permission, and the community offered land, farms, and houses. The story follows an opioid whistleblower on the run from a former big‑pharma employer. We shot outside and in Hartford, East Lyme, Middletown, and at Bradley Airport. It proved you can make movies anywhere. It was hard but inspiring and set us on a path to make more projects in Connecticut.

3

How has living in Connecticut changed your creativity?

Connecticut is less driven by capital and trends, which gives room to fill the space around us and become different kinds of creatives. We kept returning here to shoot short films; the support, space, and time gave us confidence. Since moving, Abby took up painting again; Ryan started making music again. Being closer to nature rewired our brains—waking up to animals and trees every day makes you think differently and tune into your own rhythm.

Discover more personal stories behind Connecticut’s creative community. 

share this