JETSpress students shine with awards at All American High School Film Festival in NYC
MADISON – The song “New York, New York” promises ‘if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.’ That promise delivered with top-level awards for JETSpress students from James Clemens High School at the All American High School Film Festival in New York City.
“I’ve always felt that JETSpress has strong ideas in every competition, but this year all four teams executed them perfectly. Every student who traveled to New York spent countless hours scriptwriting, searching locations and actors, filming and editing dry runs of their scripts to determine time and efficiency,” Clay Combs said.
Combs teaches Introduction to TV Production, Advanced TV Production and ‘JETSpress’ courses for films – from brief PSAs to fulllength features. “For the competition, students began crafting their ideas in the summer,” Combs said. “When we returned to school in August, students searched online for their locations and actors. Each team then conducted auditions and callbacks.” The festival’s venue was AMC 25, touted as the world’s busiest movie theater. King’s Theatre in Brooklyn hosted the awards show.
The competition opened with directors selecting required props. Groups then traveled to their film locations, met with actors, quickly covered blocking/staging and started filming.
“Once finished, teams rushed back to the hotel so editors could work in the editing bay. Teams had until 4 p.m. to submit their entry. Our winning team was the last team to submit,” Combs said.
For “Best Music Video,” Jimi Eso and Jonny Ross were finalists with their entry, “A Fresh Start,” that follows a young man as he faces a new beginning. Jonny’s brother wrote the video’s original song.
Selected as a “Documentary” finalist, Savanna Martin related a personal story about a relative.
For the “Claustrophobic Challenge,” students had 48 hours with a camera that stayed in one room to create a film from two to six minutes long. James Clemens’ winning team included Arden Sindel, Director; Natalie Calle, Cinematographer; Anais Colina, Audio; Kendal Lugos, Lighting; Shay Ramos, Editor; and Owen Clark, Assistant Director and Script Supervisor.
“We’ve been chasing the Claustrophobic Challenge trophy for six years. I always knew we could win because the contest gave each team a fighting chance,” Combs said.
This list states other JETSpress students who attended the film festival: • Seniors — Jalen Acklin, Ansley Adams, Ethyn Brown, Laura Brown, Cailen Davis, Rachel Welchans.
• Juniors – Raleigh Batchelor, Jordan Burchfield, Ava (Nicole) Cooper, Emma Dickinson, Kylie Kilpatrick, Faith McKay, Manuel Negron, Emily Nolan, Anthony Otani, Claire (Clay) Tyrrell, Rebekah VanHouden.
• Sophomores — Adriana Gonzalez, Ahnika Hess, Sydney Oechsle.
“After 48 stressful hours, we joined 500 other student filmmakers on a dinner cruise around Manhattan. Students got to unwind with a buffet, dance floor and beautiful views of New York,” Combs said.
Combs enjoyed observing his students networking with peers from around the world. “Most of JETSpress came home with dozens of new contacts and people to follow as they pursue their passions in film. I also met several teachers from across the country and began working to connect our students in the future.”
Having a class from another state …“offer feedback and constructive criticism of our films will be an invaluable resource and allow my students to hear from people who might offer a unique perspective,” Combs said.
Festival judges were industry professionals and celebrities, like Dylan McDermott, John Oliver, John Legend, Brittany Snow, Kristen Stewart and Henry Winkler.
“When we arrived in New York, every team was focused. They gave everything, and, in the end, we came home with four amazing films shot in New York,” Combs said. These students will never have a more authentic glimpse into a career than what they experienced at the festival.
“When I sat in King’s Theatre for the award show, I wasn’t nervous about us winning; I was trying to guess which one of our teams would win,” Combs said.
For more, visit hsfilmfest. com/2024-festival-schedule.
