June 30, 2005

Backstage PassGet In Where You Fit In

LEMA stands for quality

First annual Leland film festival is a crowd pleaser

By Michelle Gibo
Times Intern

Leland High’s media arts program held its first LEMA film festival, screening seven student-produced documentaries, six music videos and two short films on June 3.

Brandon Garner (lt. to rt.) poses with friends Kirk Andre, Taylor Hubbard, Daniel Hamouie and Scott Lucas during the first annual LEMA film festival. Photo by Leland junior Gina Benedetti.

The cinematic extravaganza featured films developed primarily in media arts 1-2 classes, while the 3-4 class selected the works to screen at the event. Students were charged with production, cinematography editing and directing responsibilities.

Each filmmaker received a project assignment at the beginning of second semester from instructor Mark Schwab.

In Schwab’s third year teaching the media arts classes, he felt his students were ready to fill a festival-style bill with quality work. Many of the students who participated in Leland’s program for more than a year gained ample experience and knowledge in the field, according to Schwab.

The films took many months to perfect; therefore, they also contributed to a significant portion of the final grades. Schwab, who is a working professional in the film industry currently with Diamond in the Rough Films, required that his students learn each step of the filmmaking process. The students received the opportunity to experience the real life of filmmakers.

Parents, friends and fans all loved LEMA. Photo by Gina Benedetti.

Each 3-4 student was required to write 10-page industry-formatted scripts. Schwab and his teaching assistant selected two to be produced. They interviewed for directors, picked producers, and finally selected crewmembers.

The scripts selected were “Fate” and “Raisin.”

Director Kyle Jones wove a dark storyline into “Fate.”

“After I play football in college for two years, I want to fulfill my aspiration and attend film school,” said Jones.

To complete the process, Schwab saw that his students viewed their creations in a theatre with a live audience.

Writer Michelle Gibo, Times Intern. Below: Photographer Gina Benedetti.

On the night of the film festival, students, parents, and teachers filled the designated arena, Leland’s media center, where Mike Davies, special guest filmmaker from Hollywood, presented an award for his favorite film.

Prior to the event, Davies spoke to the media arts classes, and even helped with some of their ideas. By night’s end, he’d announced “The Modern Cheater” as inaugural Industry Award recipient.

Director Kim Dixon, Producer Valerie Huffman, Composer Angel Lupo and Cinematographer Lauren Jones each contributed to the creation of the documentary. “Cheater” took into consideration all of the recent cheating occurrences, in conjunction with new cell phone policies at school. The four filmmakers interviewed administrators, teachers and students, in an attempt to better understand and portray different viewpoints about cheating.

“We were really pleased with the outcome and how everything came together,” said Huffman.

At the conclusion of the event, Schwab announced two awards voted by the 3-4 classes. “Scissorkick” won the Best Music Video award, which featured the local band Varsity Heroes. “Thin Blue Foam” claimed the Best Documentary award, which parodied Errol Morris’ lauded 1998 documentary “The Thin Blue Line.”

Other documentaries featured a variety of different aspects within student life at Leland. In “The Turn at Leland,” students demonstrated the popularity of poker at school. “White Danger” examined heinous rumors about Hicks Road as habitat to Albinos. “Straightening Out the Curve” presented opposition to the Day of Silence. “Misguided” revealed an abundance of students who were allegedly misinformed by the media regarding President Bush’s deficiencies.

Schwab plans to screen films for Bret Harte students next year, hoping to increase their interest in Leland’s media arts program as they enter high school.

Schwab’s classes are open to students in all grade levels.

“I think it was a great start to a budding tradition,” summed up Schwab.

WORTH A HOOT

Mary Clarke, 15
Leland High School

Leland sophomore Mary Clarke won $100 online after submitting a poem to www.poetry.com in January.

Clarke’s work was selected from hundreds received online that day, in one of the Web site’s perpetual contests designed to encourage writers of all ages to express themselves via written word.

The poem, “My Friend,” was published on the Web site and copyrighted to Clarke’s name for eternity. She is now an author.

“Poetry expresses everyday life,” said Clarke, who was pleasantly shocked by the honor. “I don’t read much, but you can write about anything which comes to mind in poetry, really anything at all that happens.”

Clarke listed “Romeo and Juliet” atop her influences, and even shared a common motif with ‘Will’s’ despair. Yet, “My Friend” strayed from teenage boy troubles. Clarke’s pain was rooted in the careless actions of a close friend.

“My friend didn’t show up for a party and never said why,” explained Clarke. “But I forgave her.”

To view Clarke’s work, visit www.poetry.com, and search Mary Clarke. You can also check out information regarding poetry contests and how to win $$ writing.

Galaxy of 100 Lucases in my generation

By Caroline Xiu
Times Intern

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this moment to propose a prophecy: Fifty years from now, 100 George Lucases will surface, each 10 times greater than the last.

Writer Caroline Xiu, Times Intern

Recently, I attended the Leland High School Media Arts Film Festival (LEMA), and was floored by the quality of my fellow high schoolers’ films. The film themes, sounds, and edits were executed in precise measure, and according to rules, which nary a university-level education could provide.

Then it donned on me: Leland filmmakers—and any others born post 1985—have reveled in the glory of the cinematic greats.

They have been blessed with the tools to study legendary films to fanatic extremes. Then, they are able to apply these revolutionary techniques to personal productions, a privilege unheard of while young George Lucas spent his developing years racing go-karts and only dreaming of robots and hairy giants. There were no DVDs back then.

For film students to study movies, they had to sit inside the theater and watch. Nowadays, we can buy the DVDs race through the movie scene by scene, watch trailers on TV, and watch movie clips online. We’ve been beamed into superior study habits, and that helps us better understand the technicalities involved in filmmaking.

And as for technology, film students in 2005 have it easy. Leland provides us with advanced movie editing software, such as iMovie, Pro Tools and Adobe Photoshop, all that help manipulate movie clips, enhance sound and perfect the picture. Students spent hours and hours in the editing room before and after school, creating the unique and individual images they hoped to send out for the world to see. However, when Lucas was a kid, he had to edit movie frames reel to reel if he wanted to cut out unnecessary android wars. iMovie allows that to be done digitally in mere seconds, while chewing pistachios in front of the computer. And movies win: they’re cleaner.

The very essence of filmmaking propels us to become creative individuals with minds to believe that Luke Skywalker leaves his home planet, teams with rebels, and selflessly strives for Princess Leia’s freedom in a far, far away galaxy a long, long time ago. Technology is allowing us to do more and more everyday. It is going to help many other talented individuals become future George Lucases. Too bad they cannot make the characters in those films come true. I would not mind being Kristen Dunst in “Spiderman.” But it might happen. And who’ll be responsible? I guess I better have the media arts kids sign my yearbook.

Clothes prose

By Margo Consul
Times Intern

Summer: it’s the season famous for swimsuits and sun. But what about the clothes you wear when you are not at the beach? Well, here are some tips:

Amanda Cord basks in the glory of fashion. Ashby and Duarte know.

‘Surf prep’ from the brand formerly known as Abercrombie
Summer is synonymous with shorts, mini skirts, and flips flops. The beach look is what the preppy look is all about this summer. Breanna Vandastel and friends from Santa Teresa High say that bright colors like turquoise and bright green paired with flip flops is what is popular for the girls. Short shorts and tattered skirts are the basics when you go for this look. According to Rhett Van De Mark, an employee at Hollister, the boys are wearing polos and plaid button-ups. Look good while cruising the beach: that’s the point.

Beware: don’t show what you know
Some trends have changed this summer. Modesty is popular, with full skirts and peasant tops leading the way. Girls, let your spirit fly free with a prairie skirt. Joslin McKee, a student at Franklin High School, says that beaded sandals or espadrilles are essential for this look. Kelsey Gurrola and Lauren Giotta of Leland High School and Jenna Rogers, also of Franklin, all say that a peasant top matched with a skirt is perfect to pull off this Bohemian look. Dana McKenzie of Leland High School says that scarf belts and canvas bags are also great accessories.

Writer Margo Consul, Times Intern

Extremely cool with skaters: tools, err…studs on your belt
Girls who are into the less feminine look do not have to wear flowers or lace to be in style. According to Danielle, an employee at Zumiez, camouflage and Converse are popular this summer for the girls. Boys wearing saggy shorts and screen tees are also in for the active lifestyle.

Cross it up? You said it.
Taking tips from the other sex also seems to be a trend this summer. In contrast to the skaters, boys are wearing tighter jeans. The trend for tighter pants has gone so far that Brain Goll of Franklin High School says that boys are wearing girls’ pants to get their jeans nice and tight! Danny Ventura, a ’05 graduate from Pioneer High School, admits that he will “only wear girls’ sunglasses.” And, girls are wearing vintage shirts and studded belts like boys have worn for years. So, when in doubt, consult the opposite sex for tips on your wardrobe. Who knows, they might be wearing the same thing you are!

Talking Turkeys

What you said about whatever in your natural habitat. This time it was on the last day of school at Starbuck’s next to Safeway.

Melanie Plott, 15, and Sara Adams, 16, Leland High School

BSP: What do you think about creativity in filmmaking?
MP: A lot of people think it’s cool and want to do it. But personally I don’t know how to work technology.

SA: People like the idea but it’s executing it that people have the problem with. Or the resources.

BSP: Did you have anything to do with the LEMA film festival?
MP: We saw it in class.

SA: If I had any free time then I would take up stuff like that.

BSP: Is creativity important?
MP: As widespread experiences you can get is the most important thing. That’s part of high school. It’s important that you try everything, even if you hate it.

SA: Then you know not to do it next time.

BSP: Do you care about art?
MP: We had this project in history class, where we learned to pick up symbols in relation to the time period, and what the artist was trying to explain in his paintings. Now I can look at a painting and know the time period, recall the history around it.

SA: Art usually bores me and I was scared of participating, but once we got going it was cool.

Alex McCafferty, 17, and Dustin Vega, 16, Leland High School

BSP: Did you know Leland held its first film festival?
AM: Yeah, there’s this video club. The student body is all interested, but I’m not really interested. I’m into more government and speech and debate. Arguing is my kind of my thing, not entertainment.

BSP: What do you argue about?
AM: Who’s driving who to somewhere.

BSP: Do you have any hobbies that involve art?
AM: I like to sketch. I like sports too. I’m not really into student body, more of follower than leader. I know it sets me apart from people. I know a lot of people can’t do it, and I’m pretty good at it. I like to sketch people.

DV: I see value in art and I appreciate it, but mostly because I am not good at it. I enjoy computers though, because you can do so much on them. You can design stuff, do your work. I use Adobe Photoshop. I can make…

BSP: Wait, now you’re an artist? You lied to me.
DV: I didn’t know that was necessarily art. But, yeah, sometimes I take pictures from sporting events on the Internet and put my head on them. I redo the scoreboard so I win.

BSP: Can I print one in the paper?
DV: I wouldn’t like the attention.

Kelsey Bowman, 16, and Lisa March, 15, Leland High School

BSP: Are you into filmmaking?
KB: In eighth grade they offered extra credit for doing a video.

LM: I made films for Spanish with a group of people.

BSP: Do you think filmmaking is important?
KB: You learn a lot. You get to understand how to truly learn language writing the language.

BSP: What’s with creativity?
KB: It’s important so you can be different than everyone else.

LM: You learn how to use your knowledge outside of the classroom. It’s not just a pencil and paper. You can’t go back and look at your notes when something happens.

Review U

BackstagePass vows to review what you want us to. We’ll examine songs, albums, short stories, poems, novels, jokes, art exhibits, your home, your attitude, your parents. Please contact Justin Petersen at (408) 386-7373 or by e-mail at justin@timesmediainc.com with items to review.

“The Modern Cheater”
Directed by Kim Dixon
Filmed by Lauren Jones
Composed by Angel Lupo
Produced and Edited by Valerie Huffman

A chilling look into the testing tactics of high school students.

With the advent of cell phones and heightened pressures to succeed, kids are developing new and improved methods to steal answers from classmates.

BSP: We give it four turkeys. The Cheating crew (Leland students) shed light on cheating issues with tasteful elements of humor. They successfully defined cheating, figured out who was responsible and revealed the mind-boggling fact that nine out of 10 students they surveyed at Leland High School do indeed cheat.

Cheating checklist: Eight ways “The Modern Cheater” identified to fool teachers:

Cell phones—You may spend $10 in text fees, but, hey, you got that ‘A’

Water bottles—‘B’ looks like a human being given the funhouse mirror effect

Piece of gum—Fun to chew when finished with the test

Shoe—Answers on your soul

Between fingers—Answers like Spock

Borrow erasers—Erase the evidence

Coughing 1x, A, etc.—Covert methodology, likely developed in P.O.W. camps

Calculator—Old school

Why cheat, according to anonymous interviews in “Cheater:”

“We have so much else going on with relationships, sports, family time. There are so many other things we have to do. We don’t always have time to do the work to the best our abilities.”

“It’s about pride—the pride to get that ‘A’ on a test.”

“There’s so much pressure to get good grades. Sometimes we buckle under.”

There are a lot of turkeys in Almaden, especially in the foothills. We appreciate that, so turkeys are awarded to reviewed work in place of stars.

Get it

The Canon GL2. According to Fry's Electronics sales guy Ray Perez, Canon's GL2 is the best 'serious' camera for teen filmmakers. It's a professional-grade digital camcorder which comes equipped with three CCDs, an advanced audio system, and the option of taking 1.7 megapixel still pictures. The GL2 has capabilities comparable to the cameras used in skateboarding videos and on Bam Margera's original 'CKY' videos.

Songs, albums, short stories, poems, novels, jokes, art exhibits, your home, your attitude, your parents.

We’ll examine it all.

Backstage Pass
Please contact Justin Petersen
at (408) 386-7373 or by e-mail at justin@timesmediainc.com with items to review.