James Clemens cinematographers walk the red carpet at ‘The Johnnys’ awards

To promote “The Johnnys,” James Clemens High School filmmakers even produced a video invitation, shown here. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – “The Johnnys” celebrated cinematography students’ accomplishments with star-studded, Hollywood panache at James Clemens High School.

The first annual Jetspress Awards were a black-tie event, complete with red-carpet arrivals.

“‘The Johnnys’ far exceeded our expectations,” broadcasting and media instructor Daniel Whitt said. “The evening was classy, students well-spoken, and the vibe celebratory and sincere. We couldn’t have asked for a more memorable evening.”

Acting awards went to Drew Morris, “Best Actor”; Chelsey Sandlin, “Best Actress”; Max Garcia, “Best Supporting Actor”; Amanda Jackson, “Best Supporting Actress”; and Max Garcia, “Best Supporting Actor.”

Film honors went to London Lawhorn and Bre Pierce, “Best PSA/Short,” “Freedom’s Plow”; Evan McDowell, Patrick Callaway and Ally Mancuso, “Best Documentary,” “Local Murders”; and Zachary Layman, “Best Original Screenplay,” “You’ll Never Know.”

Klifton Riley and Klayton Riley won “Best Cinematography” and “Best Editing” for “The Waiting,” “a surreal entry into last fall’s ‘The October Project’ in which a man is haunted by alternate versions of himself,” Whitt said.

Jessica Rigsby, a senior, won “Best Director” for her film “Let’s Pretend” about a childhood fantasy played out on screen. Dylan Neal won “Best Original Music or Score” for “Nyctophobia,” a horror/suspense film about a college female’s murder in her own home.

Caleb Besaw and Selina Brown won “Best School Spirit Film” for “#ProudToBeAJet.” Zachary Layman and Krista Taylor earned “Best Picture” accolades with “You’ll Never Know.”

“Drew Morris won ‘Best Animated Film’ for his short ‘After All,’ an 80s’ John Cusack-esque love story that follows the narrator’s struggles with love from early childhood through senior year,” Whitt said.

Director Kaylan Hampton and producer Sara Lauderdale earned “Best Music Video” with “The Fire” “about change, identity and stereotypes,” Whitt said. “Two actors changed costumes 16 times each in a less-than-five-minute film … and eventually throw their stereotypical clothes into a bonfire.”

The “Lifetime Achievement Award” went to senior Zachary Layman for his visionary contributions to JetsPress and his innovations in school spirit by creating Johnny the Jet. Freshman Trey Buis inherited rights to Johnny.