This school year, film academy is no longer available for freshmen to take due to a lack of freshman students in previous years. Although the class is still available for students in other grade levels, many students believe that film academy is an important class for freshmen to experience.
CHS film academy students value the class and believe it should be available for freshmen to take. Many students enjoy the class because it is a positive environment where they learn more about English and film.
“Getting into film as a freshman is so important because by the time you’re out of high school the chances of you turning film into a career is higher,” senior Cash Versailles said.
Students feel film academy is a valuable class because it helps teach students technical skills that are essential for learning to write, produce and edit a film. Film academy teaches sound design, editing and other skills that will help provide a solid foundation for filmmaking.
“Film academy doesn’t only teach you about filmmaking, you learn about broadcasting, editing, ELA and writing skills,” sophomore Brody Dreher said.
Film Academy is a creativity based class that incorporates knowledge of filmmaking. Primarily, Versailles has had a positive experience in the class and believes it is an amazing experience, especially because film is something that he is eager to get into.
“It’s a very positive experience and it is great learning about something you are actually passionate about,” Versailles said.
The skills students learn in film academy are not only applied in film, but can also be used in many aspects of school and life. Students believe the class provides all around skills that go beyond just the film industry.
“It is a really well rounded subject. It teaches not only how to do film but you also gain better literacy and better grammar,” English Language Arts teacher Victoria Catlett said.
Film academy also helps students focus on social skills because creating a film requires collaboration. Film academy also strongly focuses on students learning to ask for help when needed.
“Film academy really incorporates synergy because you do lots of group work where you have to talk and work together,” Catlett said.
Many students believe that film academy is an amazing and valuable course because it teaches much more than just film skills, it also helps its students in life and prepares them for the future. The sooner students involve themselves in film related classes, the better chances they have to make achievements in the film industry in the future.
“Freshman film academy is important because the sooner you get in that industry the more experienced you become and the better opportunities you have,” Versailles said.
Film academy sparks some freshman student’s interests and they want to join the class in their freshman year. Current students believe film academy is a fulfilling experience that is not overwhelming or difficult for new students and should be allowed for freshmen to take.
“If it is something you truly want to do it does not feel like you are even working really, because it is made to be fun,” Dreher said.
Students believe film academy is an amazing opportunity that opens many doors in the future. Film academy also offers a good balance of creativity and structured work.
“A lot of people can accomplish big things, whether it is going abroad and becoming international filmmakers or just making a name for themselves and all of that starts here, with film academy,” Versailles said.
