Join us at Savor Cinema on Thursday, December 22nd at 3pm, for the first Student Short Film Festival. For the first 30 minutes, our learners (ages 6 to 11) will share their work on the big screen. Following a brief intermission, we will also be showing a feature film starring Mira Sorvino and Sean Astin (with a unique Acton Academy twist).
This event is free to attend, and open to the public.
Why Film Making Matters
In a future world where people can can ask AI to write and create for them, a premium will be placed on the ability to think, create, and communicate in a way that moves people.
Our learners at AAFTL explore this foundation in different ways, such as their podcasting workshop that was completed last month. For December, it was a 3-week adventure into what we call our Filmmaker Quest.
Why does Film Making Matter?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, then what is the impact of 24 frames per second, coupled with special effects and a music score that builds emotion?
Let me give you an example:
Da...dam. Da... dam. Da dam. Da dam da dam da dam.
Those two notes, coupled with Steven Spielberg's classic Jaws created fear in theaters and on beaches since the seventies. That film-inspired fear continues to this day, with a wide-ranging impact because 7 out of every 10 sharks worldwide have been destroyed since that movie debuted.
Filmmaking is a way of thinking about communication on multuple levels, and not just the way we express our communication, but how it is received by our audience.
Film Festival in Two Parts
In the first 30 minutes, we will be showing the learner-created short films as part of our Filmmaker Quest over the last three and half weeks. If you think young people are not capable of amazing things, just give them an opportunity.
Our Acton learners are currently ages 6 to 11-years-old, but they have each been working diligently towards getting their short film (30-60 seconds) "greenlighted" for the Film Festival.
Greenlighted means that not every participant will automatically be shown. They followed a series of steps, from concept to story-boarding their film before it's creation. The learners were also challenged to build in a theme of "lost... and then found" as part of their creation.
For this Student Film Festival we are joined by gradate student Ján Tompkins of Daisy with Rider Productions, where he regularly travels the world to participate in Film Festivals with their own VR installations such as The Infinite Library.
According to Ján, who has been helping guide and mentor our amateur filmmakers, "you will be surprised with their submissions because you can see their attention to the small details, like finding the best camera angles, or communicating the concept of "lost, and then found" in new and unique ways." We are very excited to see and share their work when it is displayed on the big screen!
Intermission - About Savor Cinema
After the student short films portion, we will take a brief intermission. This will be a great opportunity to grab snacks, hit the restrooms, and explore the unique environment of Savor Cinema, HQ of Fort Lauderdale's International Film Festival (FLIFF)
Feature Film (with an Acton Twist)
After the Intermission and as part of our celebration of Film, we will watch the feature film Hero Mode. This is a major motion film with Hollywoood stars like Mira Sorvino (Oscar winner from Woody Allen's Mighty Aphordite) and Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings, Rudy, and more).
In addition to be a fun, family-friendly movie with great values about team work, Hero Mode also has a unique Acton Academy Twist.
Some of you who have read Courage Tor Grow, might remember the name Ellie Carpenter - the oldest Sheepdog learner at the original Acton Academy in Austin, Texas.
What you might not know however, is that her younger brother Chris (also a learner at Acton) and their father Jeff (the Gym teacher at Acton) and mother Marcy all played a major part in getting Hero Mode made.
You see, Jeff was a former professional baseball player. And when he was little, Chris showed the potential talent to follow in his father's footsteps. Until he was introduced to theater as part of a Quest at Acton Academy. Finding a personal passion, Chris went deep into acting classes and imagined what it might be to make that is calling in life.
Heartbroken, Jeff faced a choice. Many parents pressure their children to fulfill their own dreams and wishes of father-son outings to the ballpark. Instead, Jeff chose to follow his son. He started also participating in some of the theater experiences.
Spurred by Acton Parenting Badges, the family explored how they could support one another in pursuing their greatest dreams, they decided to take on the challenge of making a major motion picture. One where Jeff would write the script. Marcy helped get it produced. And Chris would play the starring role. Ellie was even involved as an intern on the set, using her people skills as the glue of this family-based Hero's Journey.
The end result is Hero Mode, with Acton-inspired values and a great example of how a family can come together to achieve near impossible goals - when they work together.
We hope you will join us for this special event - both the student short films and the feature film with a great message for YOUR family.
Parking at Savor Cinema
One last note - the parking at Savor Cinema can be a challenge. Please plan to park several blocks away, and walk over to the cinema. The paid parking at Regatta (and walking down the Riverwalk) is one option. There is also the Asta Parking on 8th Street.