Week one of our Advanced Filmmaker Summer Youth Program has wrapped up, and it was nothing short of incredible. With roughly ten high school and middle school students participating, some familiar faces and some new, the energy was infectious from the start. On day one, they were greeted with a 114-page script crafted by J.T., the de facto leader of our program. Students quickly familiarized themselves with the script, diving into the story and characters with enthusiasm.
Throughout the week, the students embraced new technologies and techniques, learning to shoot with top-of-the-line mirrorless cameras and mastering sound editing. They also picked up new editing techniques, bringing a professional touch to their work. The big project for this summer is the fourth and final installment of their franchise—a true epic. They’ve already completed six scenes and have many more close to completion. The collaborative spirit was palpable, with students stepping into unfamiliar roles and taking on leadership positions, showing remarkable growth and teamwork. In our first week, we laughed more than we have ever laughed at WCTV.
We already loved the characters of the love able, once bumbling but now hardened by the world Guy Guy, played by Domenic; the Gabagool loving, former police chief / Mafia Don now seeking revenge and redemption played by J.T.; the courageous cigar-chomping sheriff played by Jimmy; and the maniacal C.J.O., who usurped The Chief’s Mafia empire to turn it into the Amazon on drug empires, but still craves more power.
This week, however, we have fallen in love with the new characters of John Silverfist, the terrifying cyborg enforcer of CJO who is part emotionless assassin, part moody teen, played by Justin; William Schmeckel, the enigmatic mad scientist who created Silverfist played deftly by Dom; Deputy Tucson, Albuquerque loyal number 2 and leader of the rebellion, played by Torin; as well as the comedic chops of Gavin, who has had us in stitches playing multiple characters. But arguably no character has stolen our hearts as much as John Wacky, played brilliantly in method acting majesty by Nico on the final day of week one.
And we can’t overlook Wilmington High Class of 2024 grad and recent WCTV intern Braedan Almas, who in two days blew us away but writing, recording and sound editing an entire rap song for Silverfist and who has committed himself to the movie’s soundtrack. Almas also doubled as a bat-wielding warrior who went toe-to-tow with Silverfist on screen.
John also joined us halfway through the week and added to the atmosphere.
As the Executive Director, I was genuinely touched reading the script. It beautifully weaves together characters and stories developed over the years, a testament to the students' creativity and dedication. It’s heartwarming to see our rising seniors pass the torch to the up-and-coming middle school students entering high school. I’ve gotten to know these students and their characters over several years, and it’s wonderful to see their journey culminate in this project. The future of filmmaking looks bright with this talented group leading the way.
The positive atmosphere extended beyond script sessions and set. Break times were filled with lively discussions about film, future projects, and plenty of laughter. The bonds formed this week are likely to last far beyond the summer program, creating a network of young filmmakers who can support and inspire each other in the future.
As we look forward to the upcoming weeks, we are excited to see how these students continue to grow and push their creative boundaries. The progress they've made in just one week is astounding, and we are confident that the final product will be nothing short of spectacular. Stay tuned for more updates as our Advanced Filmmaker Summer Youth Program continues to unfold.
Also, we can overlook how sweet our own lead producer Elijah Li looked with hulk-hogan esque facial hair.
-Sam Perkins
Executive Director | WCTV
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