WEST ORANGE, NJ – The creative growth and talent of student filmmakers was on display during the “From Reel to Real” Film Festival, held June 4 in the Library Media Center. This is the fourth year the festival has been held.
The 11 films were written, directed, produced and starred West Orange High School students, many of whom are part of the Screenwriter’s Society. The genres included three categories: narratives, documentary, and animation.
Filmgoers were welcomed by advisor Bard Goodrich and Screenwriter’s Society co-presidents Ethan Szymanski and Kai Gonzalez.
This year’s cadre of filmmakers explored some of life’s deeper subjects, from graduating high school, to humor, jealousy, loss, fear, and love. Several of the films were created for the Theater Class’s “Ten Day Film Challenge,” tasking students to conceptualize, write, recruit, film and edit in a ten-day time span, and include specific elements in their film: a character named Frankie Becks, the character’s belief they are being followed, a handheld mirror, and the line “oh great, now you tell me.” Other films were created by members of the Screenwriter’s Society.
Following the screening, a question-and-answer period followed. The fledgling screenwriters underscored the importance of patience, openness, and ‘going with the flow’ as their work came to life.
“Our films become a reality…they become a world we can live in and experience, and hopefully, in the films you are about to watch tonight, you’ll feel the same,” said Syzmanski, who will be attending Rutgers University to study filmmaking.
For several students, this is the fourth year they have participated in the film festival, and for fellow students, family, and friends, it was remarkable and exciting to see the growth in their work. For the novices, making a film was the beginning of a new passion that they can nurture as they navigate their journeys.
Scan the code to see the program, which describes the films, filmmakers, and actors.
SEE PHOTOS FROM REEL TO REAL HERE.
Advisor Bard Goodrich holds a Q and A with filmmakers
Co-president Ethan Szymanski discusses the process of making his films
Films in the festival
