Madison Students Achieve Success at All American High School Film Festival in New York City

Madison Students Shine at All American High School Film Festival in New York

Hey there, Madison! Exciting news is buzzing in town, as our talented students from James Clemens High School recently made a splash at the prestigious All American High School Film Festival in the vibrant city of New York. It’s true what they say: when you take on a big challenge, especially in the electric atmosphere of NYC, amazing things can happen!

Creativity Meets Competition

According to Clay Combs, the devoted teacher in charge of the JETSpress program, this was the year where everything truly fell into place. “I’ve always felt that JETSpress has strong ideas in every competition, but this year all four teams executed them perfectly,” Combs expressed. The students didn’t just step into this competition; they dove in headfirst, pouring numerous hours into script creation, scouting the city for locations, auditioning actors, and perfecting their filming techniques.

The hard work didn’t start the morning of the festival, either. Combs revealed, “The students began crafting their ideas in the summer.” Upon returning to school in August, the teams hit the ground running, scrambling online for suitable film locations and conducting auditions — a whirlwind of activity displaying their passion and commitment.

A Star-studded Festival Venue

The festival was hosted at the remarkable AMC 25, rightfully known as the world’s busiest movie theater. The dazzling King’s Theatre in Brooklyn served as the backdrop for the exhilarating awards ceremony. Can you imagine the nerves and excitement? Each group was tasked with selecting required props, then off they went to their filming locations to meet actors — the clock was ticking!

Combs added, “Once finished, teams rushed back to the hotel so editors could work in the editing bay. Teams had until 4 p.m. to submit their entry. Our winning team was the last team to submit!” Talk about cutting it close!

Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

Among the remarkable entries, the competition had students flexing their creative muscles in various genres. The “Best Music Video” award saw finalists Jimi Eso and Jonny Ross with their heartfelt entry titled “A Fresh Start,” while a powerful documentary by Savanna Martin honored a personal story about her family. The “Claustrophobic Challenge” had the students crafting short films while confined to a single room, and guess what? Madison’s very own team emerged victorious! The winning team — made up of Arden Sindel (Director), Natalie Calle (Cinematographer), Anais Colina (Audio), Kendal Lugos (Lighting), Shay Ramos (Editor), and Owen Clark (Assistant Director and Script Supervisor) — showed that relentless dedication pays off.

“We’ve been chasing the Claustrophobic Challenge trophy for six years. I always knew we could win because the contest gave each team a fighting chance,” Combs proudly stated.

Networking and New Connections

With a mix of anxiety and excitement, the students joined 500 other young filmmakers on a dinner cruise around Manhattan after an intense 48-hour filming spree. “Students got to unwind with a buffet, a dance floor, and beautiful views of New York,” Combs shared, revealing the importance of connecting with fellow creatives. Students returned home with invaluable contacts, paving pathways for future collaborations.

Judged by the Best

The festival wasn’t short on star power either, featuring judges who are industry legends such as Dylan McDermott, John Legend, Brittany Snow, and Henry Winkler. Surrounded by such elite company, Combs felt an uplifting pride as he watched his students shine. “When we arrived in New York, every team was focused. They gave everything, and, in the end, we came home with four amazing films shot in New York,” he said.

The Path Ahead

For any aspiring filmmaker, there’s no better classroom than the experience gained at this festival. The thrill of being recognized in such an iconic venue sparks dreams that can change lives. “When I sat in King’s Theatre for the award show, I wasn’t nervous about us winning; I was trying to guess which one of our teams would win,” Combs reflected, showcasing that brilliant blend of confidence and humility.

Who knows what incredible stories Madison students will tell next? For more insights and updates about film festivals, you can visit hsfilmfest.com/2024-festival-schedule. Here’s to celebrating creativity, perseverance, and the magic of storytelling!