Famous film fest motivates aspiring artists
AT THE SHOW—Oaks movie students bundle up and huddle up for a group shot during Utah festival. Courtesy photo
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Oaks Christian School film students once again had the opportunity to attend movie screenings and speaker sessions at the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Eighteen students, mostly from the Oaks’ Institute of Arts and Innovation film classes, attended the independent film festival with Andrew Christopher, OCS director of film.
The students and four chaperons arrived Jan. 20 in Utah, ready to immerse themselves in a community of like-minded artists for the next four days.
“An experience like this is invaluable. We sat in on panel discussions of first-time filmmakers who have made their way to Sundance. The advice they shared, their creative process, the hurdles and obstacles they encountered, and the people who opened doors for them and the way they looked laterally for help from people who were in the same struggle as them vs. looking for a hand-up, all that is so relatable to what my students are experiencing,” said Christopher.
He added that it was motivating for students to hear from people who were once in the audience but are now on the stage receiving awards.
“Not only is that inspirational but it is an affirmation for students on how accessible and doable this can be for them,” he said.
During the trip, the students divided their time between Park City and Salt Lake City, watching feature films, documentaries, short programs and sitting in on multiple speaker sessions.
Christopher teaches a documentary class at the school.
“The documentary panel was a perfect way of showing, creating documentary that follows story, not just exposition, stories with character and empathy,” said Collin Nelson, an Oaks junior.
When the students attended the screening of “Theatre Camp,” actor Michael J. Fox was in the audience. At the end of the film, he gave an impromptu thanks to the director and producer on how much he enjoyed their film.
The students will showcase their own original work at the Oaks Christian School Film Festival May 12 and 13. For the past two years, Oaks film students have produced two full-length feature movies that have won multiple awards and nominations.
—Acorn staff report
