Instead of taking a regular art class, many students express their creativity in video productions. Although it is not considered a fine arts class, those involved are able to learn technical and cinematic skills while also discovering unique talents.

In addition to making the movies shown in chapel, students in video produce a variety of other projects. Many of these videos are available for viewing on The Feather.

Several of the videos made by the class have received awards, such as recognition from the Slick Rock Film Festival, as well as being shown and awarded at Night of the Stars.

At last year’s Slick Rock, a class-made video called Butterfly won first place. Butterfly, produced by Riley Endicott and Mitchell Callisch, among other films, inspired junior Zach Camden to join the class.

“Last year I was a part of the video Butterfly and I really enjoyed it,” Camden said. “The whole process of making the video was really awesome. After that I decided I wanted to be able to make my own videos, so I joined the class.”

Since joining video productions, Camden’s interest has become cemented.

“I’ve only been making videos for a year, so I’m not sure if I want to have a job in the media yet,” Camden said. “I’m definitely interested in it, though. I hope that I can still do things with videos in the future, even if it isn’t my career.”

While Camden is fairly new to the process, senior Paige Powell has been passionate about it for several years. She says that regardless of her past experiences, including domination of the 2010 Night of the Stars awards, she continues to learn.

“I like making videos because there is always something to learn; you can never really master it,” Powell said. “It’s a subject you can always expand on and teach yourself new things. You don’t always need an adviser, so you can be really creative and do whatever you want. The possibilities are endless.”

Even though her plans for the future are not concrete, Powell says she plans to be involved in video production for the rest of her life.

“I hope to be involved with video for a long time; it’s definitely one of my passions,” Powell said. “Right now I’m waiting on God’s plan to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. But, whatever I decide to do, I know I’ll still make videos on the side.”

Like Powell, freshman Rachel Quiring enjoys the creative aspect of video productions.

“I joined video productions because it seemed like a good mix of technology and creativity,” Quiring said. “I don’t really like things that are too technical because then you don’t really get to express yourself. With video, even though you aren’t working with a blank canvas, you still get to create something.”

For Quiring, the editing process is the most enjoyable aspect of the class.

“My favorite part is sitting at the computer and editing,” Quiring said. “When you’re filming, you have to rely on the other people helping you and, if they need to do other things, then you don’t get to work. When you’re editing, it’s just you doing what you want with your movie. It’s challenging, though, because you only have so much to work with.”

While he has not always been a video expert, video productions teacher Scott Callisch says he has enjoyed the experience. He took up the post when the previous teacher, CJ Haydock, left the post.

“Because my son, [Mitchell, ’09] was so involved, I think the administration assumed I knew what I was doing,” Callisch said. “I’ve always made little movies, but I had never taught it before. I’ve really enjoyed teaching the class because every day is different. You have the opportunity to be creative and you get to watch kids be creative. The kids learn to do things that they never thought they would be able to do.”

While he enjoys the creative aspect of video, Callisch says the technical aspects can be challenging.

“I went to a workshop at Fresno State to prepare to teach the class,” Callisch said. “I learned all the technical aspects there. I don’t really have a problem with the creative side of the class, but the technical part is harder.”

For more information on video productions, read the Jan. 20 article, Super Bowl competition offers alum opportunity or the Dec. 10, 2009 article, Get Reel honors three FC filmmakers. Or, e-mail Callisch.