Screenplay writer and director Ed Solomon and actor David Warshofsky found their passion for film at Saratoga High in the late 1970s when they were both students here.
“There was a lot of healthy competition [at SHS],” Solomon told students, parents and teachers at an event at the McAfee Center on April 21. “Those years were important in discovering myself.”
Solomon, along with other filmmakers, shared personal stories and advice regarding a start in a moviemaking career during the Media Arts Program’s Speakers Series fundraiser event called “Inside the Art of Filmmaking.” Senior David Mandell was the host for the event.
The speakers, who came in from southern California to attend the event, were from different professions of the film and production industry. Solomon, Warshofsky, visual effects producer Monette Dubin and Pixar Animation Studios’ director of photography for lighting Danielle Feinberg, were part of productions including “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Inception” and “WALL･E,” respectively.
The three-hour event consisted of Mandell asking questions as to how each filmmaker spends a typical day at work, how they started their jobs and advice for students who were interested in their fields.
Dubin and Feinberg provided informative presentations about visual effects and the lighting in the movie-making process. Feinberg had also showed photos of the Pixar Studio.
“It’s an amazing place to work at. It’s incredible that you get paid for doing something you love doing,” she said.
Feinburg also noted that although she did not get accepted into the workplace immediately, she kept trying to fulfill her dream.
“Twenty four hours after the rejection call, [Pixar] called me again,” said Feinberg. “It reconsidered me for another part of the company. I ended up getting the job.”
Solomon and Warshofsky reminisced in their past experiences in high school, which was their first step to pursuing their careers.
“When I was in [SHS], I participated in the Variety Show,” Solomon said. “That was when I found my talent for writing jokes and making others laugh.”
Warshofsky also shared many personal accounts from his acting career—being a part in Broadway musicals and feature films—but he said that he will never regret his acting career.
“After so many years of acting, I realized that I was never unhappy with it,” he said.
The conclusion of the event was followed by a time for receiving autographs, pictures and personal advice from each of the four speakers.
Sophomore Benedict Chiu had a positive experience at the event.
“The MAP Speaker Series was very interesting. It drew from different aspects of film making,” Chiu said. “I especially enjoyed the technical aspects of Pixar.”
Each of the speakers provided students with personal advice and uplifting stories on how they each succeeded.
“I always knew from that I wanted to pursue directing and screenplay writing,” said Solomon. “My friend and I rented a center during college. We improvised a story about two silly guys who knew nothing about history. I took that and expanded it to ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.’”
Dubin shared his belief that everyone can reach their dreams if they have the ambition to go after it.
“Life is bigger than what the book has to offer. If you’re interested in a filmmaking job, go out and do it,” advised Dubin. “We’re just four jobs in a huge variety of jobs the world has; go out and explore.”
