Students of Powell River’s innovative digital film school wrapped up their semester with three days of shooting for their final project.
This is the Future is a short film the students are completing. The story centres around two men who must come to grips with time and the technology around them.
Tony Papa, director and instructor of Powell River Digital Film School, said the project brings together all the skills that his students have been working to develop over the course of the five-month semester.
Students have studied lighting and writing techniques as well as cinematography, production and editing processes.
Papa told the Peak, while on location at the shoot, that the students have been working about three weeks to pull the collaborative project together.
“It’s a real good culmination of all they have learned,” he said. “In a sense this is like their final exam.”
James Klemmensen, a student filmmaker from Rossland, was chosen by his classmates to direct the project. Klemmensen recently won a $4,300-scholarship to Emily Carr University of Art and Design to continue film studies, one of several awards as part of the combined $14,000 to study at Capilano University and the Art Institute of Vancouver.
“It’s been good,” said Klemmensen of his experience at the film school. “This is definitely the biggest thing we’ve done as a group and it’s been hectic, but hectic in a good way.”
Students work together to write the script and plan for all aspects of the production, Papa said.
Student Michaela Douglas said the experience “has been a real privilege.”
The program advertises itself as a way for students interested in film to make their mark as well as earn one. The dual-credit elective program attracts grade 12 students from around the province and provides hands-on training and develops problem-solving skills for those interested in taking the first steps toward a career in filmmaking.
Last July two student filmmakers, Michael Stevantoni and Annabelle Foss, won gold in the Skills Canada national competition in Toronto. This year students from the program competed at the Vancouver Island regional Skills Canada competition winning bronze, silver and gold. But with only five months to complete the program, Papa said the experience of participating in the competition was “pretty distracting,” so the school did not go to the provincials.
Papa said that while he does provide instruction, his role is more as a mentor, something he said he wishes he would have had as a young filmmaker. “I learned the hard knocks way,” Papa said. “It took me a long time to learn what these guys are learning.”
A public screening of the students’ films will take place on Tuesday, June 16, at Max Cameron Theatre. Doors open at 6 pm for a reception with the screenings starting at 7 pm. Admission is by donation and complimentary appetizers will be served.
