Oak Park High School, Winnipeg

[James McLellan]

Hello folks,

Just thought I'd write to say we finished post on our first short film shot on our Red One.

The students really stepped up and got into it. It's a music video. Here is our clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovvqxAVtQsM

[jimhare]

Congratulations James, well done. Looks like they had a good time in front of the camera as well!

[Mark Phelan]

Nice work and a joy to watch. Well done.

[James McLellan]

Thanks. It's really an unbelievable opportunity that Red has provided for us. We are all quite stoked.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Tell me about this Film Program...sounds quite ambitious, especially for our fair city, and does the school actually have an R1?

[James McLellan]

We have been shooting films since 2004. The R1 is the schools. If you are in Winnipeg you are welcome to drop by.

[Jeremy Torrie]

I already have my own. #1379 with the 18-85 zoom. Shooting a project as we speak. Next week five R1's at a concert at the West End Cultural Centre.

[Roberto Lequeux]

Nice job!

[James McLellan]

Thanks Roberto.

[Grant Goss]

Well done.

[JD Holloway]

Good job guys.
(20 min to level track was a funny quote for me).

[Chris Parker]

great work! 'peg in the house.

[Marco Montenegro]

Good stuff James. Looking forward to the next project.

[James McLellan]

Thanks for watching everyone. As a side note...all things in a teenagers life take 'about twenty minutes'

--"I've been waiting for about twenty minutes"
--Driving across town is always "about twenty minutes"
--How much homework do you have? "about twenty minutes"
--How long until the track is set up and leveled? "about twenty minutes"

My life as a teacher.

[Jeremy Torrie]

We had our camera load in yesterday...everyone was mighty impressed to see 5 R1's all getting built in the lobby of the WECC while rehearsals were going on, and set was finalized in the stage area.

Once we had all the cameras in position (one on dolly track, one stage left, one stage right, one on the balcony and one on jib) we tweaked lights based on the ever-changing stage positions of musicians and talent. Have great coverage in rehearsal, and today will be a crazy shoot...my guess is 11-12 hours of shooting. Lots of set repos.

[Mark Collins]

WOAH!!!

I wish my high school had a film program like that. You guys gets REDs and produce some really amazing videos I see. Geez. Congrats as that looks insanely professional and good. So good that I still don't quite believe it's from a high school

[James McLellan]

Thanks Mark.

The course largely teaches leadership and project management through the filmmaking vehicle. Teamwork, communication. Probably 50% of the class time is spent in round table planning sessions and production meetings in preparation for the three weekend shoots we do.

We are quite proud of what has been able to be achieved.

Torrie - would love to see 5 R1's in the peg at once but with school ending Friday it's crazy busy. Would like to pop in on one of your shoots sometime for PD.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Camera wrapped out by 1AM for a very long day but it was a lot of fun. Some really fantastic work by all the camera crew, gaffer, and art department was awesome.

Got to play with a laser and a Hazer for some funky light effect on our final shot (Obviously pointing at the sensor is a no-no).

Your students should watch all the behind the scenes footage...they would see that prep is the key...otherwise it can get very expensive very fast.

[Andrew Luczenczyn]

Super jealous, I've been trying to get the film program here at the U of W into RED, but to no avail....

On a side note, Im pretty sure Ive been in that barn.... the Paige Farm?

[a kines]

I have all the behind the scenes footage that Torrie is referring to. It was shot DVCProHD 720P 24N. I was DIT for the 5 RED shoot. Fun times, tiring times.

[James McLellan]

Yes, it was shot at Jeff and Mavis' place in Birds Hill. Good little setup they have there. The saloon sure worked out well.

Kines, I assume this was for the Danny Michel live dvd. When do you guys estimate you'll be done?

[a kines]

No. Danny Michel was loading in as we were just getting out. Edit starts in Jan and should be done end of March.

[Brad Crawford]

Hey James,

Good stuff, great to see the steps forward from intervention, looks like a lot of fun. I'll have to pop in after the holidays and see how things are going.

cheers,
BRAD

[James McLellan]

Stop by any time Brad. If you can believe it, shooting on Red with the kids has been much easier than shooting with the Ex-1/3. The roles of the camera department personnel are much easier to understand for the kids.

We have a few more longer shorts coming out in April. Excited to see how they turn out.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Wearing both my writer and producer hats James I would love to see equal emphasis on the craft of writing and story in something like English or another newly created elective...it's great these young folks are being given amazing tools to play with, but the fundamentals of strong story first (and thus justify the effort that goes into producing it) is perhaps just as important! Especially in the real world you are preparing them for...

[James McLellan]

A good philosophy. That's pretty much what we do. Being a high school, however, our first priority will always be to help the students learn how to work together.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting...writers are not usually on set, unless they're writer/directors. What I was hoping to get across was that before anything goes into production there's a certain amount of creative discussion as to the 'why' of a given project. What is the point of making the film and why would anyone want to watch it (other than the creators themselves)?

Filmmaking is a tough thing to make a living at in this country (or anywhere else for that matter), but we happen to be very lucky there are avenues with which to develop our skills, and be given the opportunity to learn, make mistakes, and so on...but what eventually filters down is that even with all of these public funds, there should be an obligation by the artist to make some of that money back for the taxpayer. And so, we delve into the business of filmmaking, and what stories are going to rise to the top and receive financing...and this is a very competitive atmosphere. And what is often the arbiter of any greenlight is the story first. I know this is a heady thing for a student to consider, but we are really giving them an opportunity to shape their future through choices given to them starting as early as they express the desire to try...

Collaboration is the key on any set, especially when certain individuals show a certain proficiency in a given department, such as production design, make up, or cinematography, or sound...I love working with those who have greater experience than myself because the sum of the parts allows the film to be better. That's why they specialize. And there's always key creatives out there willing to mentor because we love the act of creation.

Now I realize this may be getting a little off track from the original discussion; all I'm saying is that it would be great for students to start thinking about why they feel the need to express themselves creatively, and for them to know that it's not just all about being the director and making something only they will want to see (although that might be exactly what they care about -we have a teenager in the home so I know how that 'target market' thinks)...Some true development of projects and the process such as how the real world works would be an awesome thing. And if the crew came to know how much goes into producing -that would be useful.

[James McLellan]

What you describe is pretty much what we try to do.

Keep in mind that we are not a film school. Most of our students will not go on to become career filmmakers.

We work hard and try to give the students a unique and intense experience they will remember and learn from.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Absolutely I get what you're saying James.

I see something special being done and am hoping it can become more. I'm only where I am because of Red River's Cre Comm...and television was a minor aspect of the overall curriculum. The other courses such as journalism and creative writing had much more resonance for me, and in fact the television part was not even on my radar...but when I came to understand I could use the technology to tell the stories I found compelling, it changed my perspective.

Filmmaking is addictive -unique and intense as you say- and with the proper tools and encouragement, there is no telling who will go where.

[Chris Parker]

just a note re. Winnipeg, I will be there this coming week to give a one-day seminar/training on RED data mgmt./workflow for local Winnipeg techs. and then another day for producers/PMs. Thought I'd pass the info. along for those in the area who were interested.....

[Andrew Luczenczyn]

just a note re. Winnipeg, I will be there this coming week to give a one-day seminar/training on RED data mgmt./workflow for local Winnipeg techs. and then another day for producers/PMs. Thought I'd pass the info. along for those in the area who were interested.....

very very interested!

[Jeremy Torrie]

yep...apparently it's free too. Just need to supply a SIN #...go to onscreenmanitoba.com under news for more info.

[Conrad H]

Sorry to rat-hole the thread, but On Screen Manitoba doesn't seem to have the info.

Could you post the details if you know them?

[Vince K]

Good job dude!!

[James McLellan]

It's going to be at Whites. Here is a link with some details:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/William-F-White-International-Inc/82090392561?ref=mf

Thanks for the heads up Chris.

[James McLellan]

Thanks for watching Vince.

[Jeremy Torrie]

James you might have to watch out for an influx of 'new students' trying to enroll in your class...there's a lot of people who want to play with the R1.

[James McLellan]

It's kinda funny really. Most high school students have never heard of red. Doesn't take long for them to start to appreciating what they are working with though.

[Peter Mosiman]

James. Awesome what you are doing there. I only wish there was something like this at my high school. It would have been extremely helpful.

Keep up the mighty fine work you guys are doing. I am extremely impressed!

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

yay for winnepeg! i was born there but moved to bc. great job guys.

[Jeremy Torrie]

Hey Jeremy -then perhaps you could do yourself a favour and remember how Winnipeg is spelled!

[Ian Laurie]

Wow. Very impressed with your students. Grew up outside of Edmonton and can only wish we had a film program like that in High School. Congrats, everyone and nice job.