After a long day working on the school news program, heading over to room 2-115A, time to dial everything down and share information about a must-watch film. That’s just the surface of the Film Club, but there’s a lot more to it. The planning, process and learning all forge together to create the school’s Film Club, run by Woof TV and TV Production teacher, Donna Parker.
The goal of the Film Club is to gather students interested in those topics but who do not want to commit an entire class to the TV Production program, or simply those who want to see how Woof TV is made.
During their third meeting this year, they recorded an entire mock Woof TV episode that included every member as anchors, camera operators and director.
Senior Eastin Mathies started at Hagerty as a sophomore after noticing there was not a Film Club.
“I’m extremely proud of being the [Film Club] president. It’s something I kind of aspired to do from the moment that I laid eyes on Hagerty,” Mathies said.
Not everything is perfect—it is normal to have difficulties and the same applies for film, especially for Mathies.
“As far as the club in general goes, it’s tough to get exposure and members,” Mathies said. “I think once people actually get into the club, they’ll stay because they love it so much and the environment.”
Most people do not realize that this is only the second year of the Film Club. Mathies decided to take matters into his own hands to create something new for something he inspires.
“As soon as I heard that we didn’t have a Film Club, I decided that’s what I’m going to do. Unfortunately it’s my last year here, but I’m so glad to be president and I love hanging out with everyone,” Mathies said.
Senior Antonio Pizza is the vice president of the club, and he loves that there is so much to learn with the club, and always something new to do.
“I learned how to build a project from start to finish, along with taking in feedback from others on how to improve and grow. I know a lot, but I would like to get to do a feature film one day and learn the process of making one,” Pizza said.
Pizza uses his experience to guide members within the club, a club that allows people who are interested in telling a story the ability and knowledge to make that story a reality.
“I like seeing what other peers are doing, in the club and out of the club, related to film. I like seeing the mistakes others have made and how I can help them improve. I made a lot of mistakes when making videos myself, and a lot of times you do not realize until you look back at its months later and see where you have improved,” Pizza said.
Directing is an incredibly important and difficult job to inherit. Creators have to keep track of everything within a production, and you’re responsible for anything that happens.
Director of Broadcasting and Producer of Woof TV, junior Roger Phipps is “just a normal member” of the Film Club but is also one of the mentors. Everyone is a member; however, some have a higher standing in comparison to someone that may be new.
“The four of us have all spent three or four years within our school’s TV Production Program, so our job is to help the members of the Film Club that don’t have much experience with TV Production or Film,” Phipps said.
To introduce members into film, leaders throw them into the deep end and see where they stand. Once a base is established, it is easier to build with that than teaching off no momentum.
“Currently, we are starting a short film competition between two groups of members to try to introduce how the process of making films works,” Phipps said.
Phipps with other members shared their experience with club president Eastin Mathies and his impact as leader for the club. Rather than shutting you down, he always tries to listen to what members are saying
“Eastin is a wonderful and hard-working president. He’s both the president of the Film Club and the current director of WOOF TV, so I work with him a lot,” Phipps said.
Back with experience, Phipps has been on WOOF TV all three years of high school, but this is his first in the Film Club.
“So far, I’ve really enjoyed the opportunities it presents me to work on my video projects outside of my TV Production period, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to pass on my knowledge and passion to individuals interested in learning how the TV Production world works,” Phipps said.
Anyone who wants to see behind the scenes of everything going on with the daily announcements and filmmaking in general can attend Film Club. Members will learn how cameras and other tools help create a scene under a creative story straight from the arts of the people making it. Meetings happen in room 2-115A every Thursday after school.
