Film Club explores self-expression and cinematography

Film Club analyzes a short documentary made by a student who attended California Summer State School for the Arts.

Students in MAP are excited to share the roles and processes of filmmaking with fellow peers.

During lunch on Oct. 12 in room MM02, 20 students watched raptly as a short documentary made by a student who attended California Summer State School for the Arts with co-president Madison Kerner was presented using a projector. Students offered their opinions as the Film Club worked to analyze this film, which helped students learn more about how to create their own films and make them impactful.

Analyzing films is one of the many ways students in the Film Club, a group of passionate students who want to learn more about filmmaking, learn about their craft.

The co-presidents, sophomores Rylee Stanton and Kerner, hope to teach the art of film to students who aren’t part of the Media Arts Program.

“Film has always been a passion of mine and something I’ve been really interested in,” Stanton said. “So I decided to create a Film Club because I’m sure other people are interested as well, and this can be a way for students to express themselves.”

Stanton served as a summer camp counselor at Walden West in 2022 and took part in the leadership class at Redwood Middle School. On the other hand, Kerner is more experienced in film despite a smaller leadership background, having attended a California State Summer School for the Arts summer program in film.

The club members will mostly be using their phones to film, but students will have the chance to use a few cameras provided by MAP. A variety of techniques will be taught.

“We’ll teach people how different shots and angles can contribute to creating a scene or how lighting can create moods,” O’Brien said.

A typical Film Club meeting includes a presentation explaining one of the steps of filmmaking, such as the editing process of a video. Club members then have a chance to film and edit at home.

After deciding on a topic, students will pick groups with roles such as cinematographer or script writer so members get a taste of what jobs are available in the professional film industry.

The club plans to produce 3-5 minute culminating films in the second semester. The club will hold a screening where students will present their short stories with raffle prizes for the winners.

“I’m excited to make films that don’t relate to school and to make them on topics I’m interested in [through this new club],” O’Brien said. “All the officers and I really love film. I think it’s really fun to create [and present] stories through film.”