Here’s what each department of AVPA is doing for Java:
Starving Young Artists are making the backdrop for the stage. They also have artwork on display.
The Shim Sham Move Co. performs several student-choreographed pieces. Audiences hopefully will be delighted with the Tappa Tappa Tappas’ hand and feet puppetry piece, and with a new piece by Cari Ann Shim Sham, called Monitor Madness.
Young Filmmakers will show an eclectic mix of short films.
Pink Elephant Music Co. has created all new and original music in a variety of styles. The Jazz Combo and members of the Chamber Singers perform. Also, the Culver High Concert Choir will give a spirited rendition of the "Java Jive."
The Blurred Vision Theatre Co. has invited five of their favorite directors to direct the students in monologues and short pieces.
And Now to the Filmmakers
AVPA film students have spent the year preparing for the June 16 project, which will be screened every half hour between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. inside the Jimmy Stewart Building, No. 24, on the Sony Lot, near the Overland entrance. They started with a script-writing class in the fall. Several students submitted their resulting scripts for consideration for the film project. From their pitches, all the students selected a single script they wanted to produce. Last autumn, they produced two short films from a single script with wildly different results. Senior Jeffrey Goebert, the student director of one of those shorts, was then selected to direct "The Rental."
A Site to Behold: Movie Mecca
With support from the Education Foundation, this year’s film was shot in High Definition rather than the 16mm format the students have used in the past. Even with the new technology, according to James Bentley, the head of AVPA’s film department, the project went off like clockwork. As in the past, professional actors donated their time and talent for the students’ film. Dean Edward of Culver City donated the use of his video store, Movie Mecca, for the students to use as a filming site. Most of the film was shot there. “The kids showed a level of professionalism most adults don’t show on set," Mr. Edward said. "Creating this film was tiring and full of stress,” said Mr. Goebert, the student director. “But, I still had an amazing time working with a great crew and a great cast."
They Win Awards, Too
Mr. Bentley told thefrontpageonline.com that the majority of his students are ninth and 10th graders, which may make their accomplishments the more remarkable. The AVPA members were planning to attend the Santa Monica High School Film Festival on Thursday night. One student, Chris McGovern, a grip during the making of “The Rental” project, “has been picked up for a show at the Santa Monica Public Library,” Mr. Bentley said. Mr. McGovern and Madi Conroy will be honored in an awards presentation later this month in Beverly Hills. Among other prominent players in “The Rental” production are: assistant director Marcelo Algarate, grip Gabe Garfano, producers Frank Clark, Phaedra Neitzel and John Huizar, for editing and audio George Mikhail and Kenny Suleimanagich, for casting Erin Perez, grip Nick Haley. Mr. Bentley said what athletic coaches often do not say about their players: “These students are aspiring to greatness.”