April 20, 2016 -- On April 5, the Digital TV Production classes of Heights High saw Romeo is Bleeding at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF). The film is a modern day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
The students are learning the five-step process of putting a movie together. This process consists of development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. The students will soon be creating a silent movie, which is why this was a great opportunity, according to instructor Mrs. Cynthia Booker. She said that seeing this movie gave the students the opportunity to think about specific elements that can be used in their silent film.
Booker said her Digital TV Production class really enjoyed attending the film festival. The students were also given the opportunity to participate in the Q&A for the film. Afterward, they met the director, producer and two of the stars in the film. A cast member, Donte Clark, performed a live rap for the students.
“The movie was spectacular," said Isaiah Kempson. He even added, "Can we get the movie to see it again?"On April 5, 16 students from Ceramics II and III at Heights High also attended the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF). They saw an international short program during FilmSlam week.
The Ceramics classes will be creating stop motion films in class, so this was a great opportunity for the students to see student-made stop motion films. Their teacher, Ms. Claire Raack, said the students were inspired by the films, and they enjoyed going to Tower City. Also, they were pointing out techniques they want to apply to their own work.
“The war about the Syrian refugee was inspiring. I want to try to create the element of suspense in my short film,” said Kim Fisher.
With Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon’s letter of support, a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation reduced the cost of the CIFF tickets for students and staff by half; the Ohio
Arts Council’s Yellow School Bus Grant funded transportation to the event. Additionally, for the first time in
Greater Cleveland, CIFF organized a FilmSlam
professional development workshop for educators at the Ritz Downtown on
February 27, in which CH-UH educators participated. These spearheading opportunities in the film industry for education compliment CSU being awarded $7 million from the state to kick off a Film Institute.