After last year’s success, the class of 2011 finally has a completed Night of the Stars movie under their belt. With this experience, the seniors plan to put forth an award-winning movie.
Last year, the class surprised fellow students with their parody of the world-wide phenomenon, Twilight (2008). For this year’s film, the class plans to take on 17 Again (2009).
The main characters are Josiah Ford as Mike O’Donnell (teen), Madison Dooley as Scarlett O’Donnell, Frank Daniel as Ned Gold, Tim DeGroot as Alex O’Donnell, Bridget Teixeira as Maggie O’Donnell and Sydney Carlson as Principal Jane Masterson.
While it may seem less exciting, director and cinematographer Zach Camden says the project is an excellent fit for the event.
“I think this movie will be simple enough in the costume and set area for us to accomplish it,” Camden said. “However, it will still have enough roles so that we can get people involved. Also, it takes place in a high school, which is convenient.”
Because of their strategic film choice, screenwriter Jessica Massie says the class will have an easier time adapting the script to NOTS standards.
“I think the movie will be completely different than last year’s,” Massie said. “Last year, we had to change a lot of the plot. This year, we are able to stay more true to the original script. I think that will make it a less chaotic experience than last year. Then, the people who wrote the script were the only ones who really knew what was going on.”
Despite last year’s struggles, both Camden and Massie decided again to take up leadership roles. Camden says NOTS movies are his contribution to the class of 2011.
“I had a good time doing it last year,” Camden said. “It was very rewarding to see the final product. I feel like filming and editing the movie is something special that I can contribute to my class.”
Like Camden, Massie decided to rejoin the movie crew to assist her class.
“I wanted to help with the NOTS movie this year because I enjoyed having my ideas heard last year,” Massie said. “I think we did a great job last year, and I want to have a part in making this movie successful.”
While the 2010 NOTS awards did not suggest the film’s success, Massie believes that last year’s movie still was an accomplishment.
“Last year, I felt like we were kind of cheated out of awards,” Massie said. “I felt like our movie was more of an audience favorite than the seniors’. I hope we get more recognition this year.”
To make up for last year’s disappointment, Camden says he is hopeful that this year’s ceremony will yield more recognition for the class of 2011.
“I think we have the potential to do well this year,” Camden said. “It just depends on whether we get everything or not. A big factor is whether or not the actors show up; sometimes we have to improvise.”
Unlike veterans Camden and Massie, Jenna Yee is joining the crew for the first time this year.
“I decided to be in the movie this year because I thought it would be a good way to get involved my senior year,” Yee said. “This is my last chance to be a part of the film, and I wanted to take advantage of it.”
The senior film, with a maximum running time of one hour, will be presented on the evening of NOTS, Feb. 19.
For more information on class films, read the Feb. 1 article, Freshmen choreograph dance flick remake. For more information on NOTS, read the Jan. 28 article, NOTS attendees plot creative date invitations.
