Classic movies and TV shows feature high school dances almost as regularly as trip-and-fall-in-the-hallway scenarios. Fresno Christian has broken the mold throughout its history by producing a dance-less formal event called Night of the Stars (NOTS). This year the evening will be held Feb. 20.

NOTS has been held as a campus event since 1990, when administrators conceived the concept of having a Oscar-like movie showing and awards show instead of a dance. This year the event’s theme is “Masquerade.”

The student leadership team will host NOTS at The Grand on 10 in downtown Fresno, from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are on sale as of Jan. 25. Students who wish to buy tickets early can purchase them for $45 each. After Jan. 29, the price will rise to $50.

The chosen theme, which student leadership says has been done with much success in the past, will encourage students to buy or make decorated masks.

“Though masks will not be mandatory, I encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity to be creative and express their mysterious side,” ASB president Tatiana Fontes, ’10, said. “For those who are worrying about where to find this unusual accessory, leadership can make suggestions for those wanting to create their own mask.”

Student leadership advisor Rob Foshee says NOTS helps facilitate meaningful relationships between students.

“I think NOTS allows everyone a chance to fellowship outside of school,” Foshee said. “It’s not like being at a sports game or in class; it’s a formal event. A lot of times you go out with a few friends, but this way you can see everyone. It’s also a long-standing tradition.”

Although the dance prohibition is due to the religious affiliations of FC, Foshee says the modified formal does not suffer.

“At NOTS, you get to enjoy each other’s company more than at a dance,” Foshee said. “If you’re dancing you can’t really get to know someone, and you usually go to dinner and stuff somewhere else. I don’t know any other school that does what we do with the movies. It allows for much more fun between students.”

In preparation for the event, each class will cast, film and edit a remake of a movie to be shown that night. A panel of judges will give awards from “best picture to “best teacher cameo.”

The seniors have chosen Dodgeball, the juniors Twilight and the sophomores The Pacifier. The freshmen will recreate She’s the Man as He’s the Chick.

“We chose Twilight because we were taking charge this year, and it’s something we know really well. It’s very well known, so it’s something we can make funny,” Jessica Massie, the juniors’ director, said. “We’re nervous about the class involvement because our class can be pretty apathetic. However, we have high hopes because our main cast is enthusiastic and we’ve already got a lot of work done.”

For the class of 2010, who has spent three years winning several awards, the bar is set for “senior domination.”

“I hope to be the best movie that our class has ever made and that any class has made,” senior Paige Powell, the director, producer and editor of her class’ movie, said. “The movies get better every year and last year the seniors set the bar for us. I think that we can reach that level. It’s our turn to win ‘best picture.’ We’ve already won a lot of others, but I want to win every one we haven’t won!”

Although the upperclassmen have set their sights on specific goals, many freshmen are still deciphering the movie-making process.

“I want to be involved, but I’m not really sure what’s going on, because I wasn’t able to attend the meeting,” freshman Briana Graff said. “I never found out about them, but I still want to try to help write the script or act.”

NOTS Promo 2010 from FC Video Productions on Vimeo.

Night of the Stars from Tyler Duerr on Vimeo.

For more information, read the Jan. 27 article, ‘The Pacifier’ holds hope for sophomores, the Jan. 26 article, Juniors plot ‘Twilight’ comeback or the Jan. 27 article, Dress all-out at NOTS. Or, e-mail Foshee.

Coverage of the senior and freshman movies is upcoming; readers can also find NOTS coverage in the photo section and on the weekly news video, FC Underground.