BHS student filmmakers shoot at Majestic Bay Theatres for two consecutive weekends
Jaya Flanary, Features Editor
Originally published November 26, 2014
The Majestic Bay’s old policy trailer “A Trip to the Movies” was so popular in the Ballard area that audience members would often recite the ’50s style lines, such as “Hey Russ, how’s things?” and “Uh oh, somebody’s smoking and it’s irritating Ellen’s eyes.”
When the movie theater switched from film to digital format they were unable to switch “A Trip to the Movies,” leaving them without a policy trailer. In order to stay within the community and broaden student filmmakers’ opportunities, Majestic Bay Theatres sought out Ballard’s Digital Filmmaking Program to produce a new short film.
After voting for an idea and storyboarding the program put together a large crew, split into different departments and finished the pre-production process over the course of a few months.
The idea chosen was written by graduate Lorenzo Rossi and is a parody of “A Trip to the Movies,” called “A Trip to the Groovies.” Siblings Russ and Ellen go to the movies together again, but in the ‘70s. A period piece like this meant more than the average pre-production the young filmmakers were used to. Suddenly they needed ’70s hair, makeup, clothes, cars and more.
The students filmed for two consecutive weekends from 4:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 23 was their last day of shooting and they are now starting the post-production process.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Senior Will Erstad diffuses a light during set up.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Junior Leo Pfeifer sets up a point of view shot of actor James Kazan, who plays Tony Taglioni in “A Trip to the Groovies.”
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Junior Jonny Cechony holds a boom to record clean audio during a shot. Throughout the day, the team’s sound technicians (Cechony and junior Percy Boyle) must switch off to prevent getting tired.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Junior Leo Pfeifer, Director of Photography, approves the composition of a shot with co-producers junior Jaya Flanary and senior Sho Schrock, along with professional hair and makeup artist Erika Seward.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Actors James Kazan (Tony Taglioni), Dustin Connet (Russ) and Jennifer Honka (Ellen) practice their interaction. The team’s casting department included junior Jaya Flanary and senior Rachel Cole. The two held auditions for three weekends in order to cast the parts from the original “A Trip to the Movies” properly.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Director of Photography Leo Pfeifer advises Production Assistant Miles Andersen on bouncing light onto actor James Kazan (Tony Taglioni) as co-producers Jaya Flanary and Sho Schrock approve of the shot composition.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Senior Coleman Andersen diffuses a light as co producer Sho Schrock and teacher Matt Lawrence watch the scene.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Junior Leo Pfeifer frames a close up of actor James Kazan (Tony Taglioni).
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Junior Jonny Cechony mics actor James Kazan (Tony Taglioni) right before the first take of a shot.
Courtesy of Victoria O’Laughlin
Co-producer Jaya Flanary frames the composition of a shot with Director of Photography Leo Pfeifer.
