Over the past year, students in the Upper School’s Advanced Video Production class have produced a large number of works that have been accepted into film festivals on the regional and international level.
These festivals allow students to gain recognition for their films.
“I want them to put [their films] in the world because I don’t want to make these in a vacuum,” said Upper School Video Production instructor Corbin Doyle.
Doyle first began introducing the work of his students to the outside world by entering their films in the Dallas International Film Festival. Now, with Doyle’s encouragement, students enter their work in a wide range of competitions.
“Mr. Doyle was one of the big proponents that high schoolers should be able to submit to film festivals, which is typically reserved for college or post-college,” senior Pearce Barnes said.
Students use FilmFreeway, a website where they can submit their work to festivals around the globe.
For students in AVP, film festivals mean different things depending on the filmmaker.
Sophomore Ruby Garza says the acceptance of her film “Bagged A Good One” to the German film festival QUEER-Streifen made her appreciate the class even more.
“I think it feels more real to me, because I’ve always loved film,” said Garza. “I’m in this room with so many amazing, talented people and tons of resources, and I get to do something that I love so much for a class credit.”
Sophomore Syrus Gupta says he found the experience rewarding, especially because this was his first time to enter his work in a competition.
“It means a lot more than just ‘okay, I got my film in [this festival],’” said Gupta. “Now I get to have this opportunity to be part of a wider community and build connections with people who share those same passions and want those same things as I do.”
Barnes says he felt pride in creating his film “Crazy for Layne’s.”
“I did most of the things aside from just general hands-on set, which was really stressful and difficult,” said Barnes. “With that said, when you get to that final product, it’s something that you’re extra proud of.” Barnes’s film got accepted into the Alternative Film Festival, an event that gives filmmakers the opportunity to qualify for Internet Movie Database-approved awards.
Juniors Andrew Cai and Ali Agha got their film “Hawkshaw Swing: Caravan of Dreams” into three events: the BAM! Festival, Youth Diversity Film Festival and Dallas International Film Festival’s 2024 High School Short Film Showcase. Cai says although the acceptances provide him with a sense of accomplishment, the audience’s reaction is the most rewarding.
“When you play your film, you can see when your audience laughs, or when they cringe,” said Cai. “There’s a hum in the atmosphere where you can just tell whether they like something or they don’t.”
Doyle compared the current program’s success to times before the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the number of films accepted to festivals was higher back then, the program is starting to recover, Doyle said.
“Part of [the program’s recovery] is me reeducating AVP,” said Doyle. “I change my classes from semester to semester, sometimes a lot.” Barnes also says that he feels the program moved away from film festivals and more toward personal and school success.
“I think the drive towards [film festivals] dwindled a little bit,” said Barnes. “Now I think we’re finding a balance where we can make films for ourselves and still show them at festivals while satisfying yourself and not working for some name only.”
For the upcoming year, Doyle says his intent is to redesign the program in the hope of keeping the environment livelier and fun.
“I have to restructure it so that rather than from month to month that I’m holding them accountable, now it’s day to day,” said Doyle.
The bottom line for Doyle is that he wants students to use the knowledge they gain in class to make films.
“I want it to be about process more than product,” said Doyle. “I think if we concentrate on the process, rewrite and reedit and have fun making these things, get better at the process, then these film festival things will happen.”
