Campus captures two Slick Rock victories
Student filmmakers receive recognition, star treatment

By Danielle St. Marie,
Writer
May 24, 2010

After completing projects throughout the year, the video productions class submitted twelve movies to the Slick Rock Student Film Festival. Of those 12, nine made it to the first cut and onto the final judging.

In anticipation of awards, the students attended the awards ceremony at the Fox Theatre in Visalia, May 22.

The class had three finalists: Zach Camden for "Freshman Whisperer," Mark Bennett for "Dying of Embarrassment" and Jordan Boudreau for "Jack Danger."

Along with the finalists, FC took home two "rocks," or awards: Bennett for best film in the junior high blockbuster category and Boudreau for best film in best comedy blockbuster.

"I am very pleased with the students and the crop of films we submitted this year," video productions adviser Scott Callisch said. "As always, I feel that most of our films were worthy of winning but some were overlooked. We knew going in that all we can do is make the best film we can and be content with that."

Despite being a junior high student, Bennett was able to clinch awards in a major competition.

"When I heard my name called, I was really excited," Bennett, '15, said. "It was actually kind of scary to go up on stage, but it was a pretty good feeling. The ceremony was really fun, too; at one point the host threw Twinkies into the audience."

Even though two FC movies competed against each in the same category, Boudreau pulled out with the win with Jack Danger-Private Eye.

"It was an amazing feeling to win," he said. "I was extremely nervous and excited and surprised at the same time. I honestly did not think I would win, but I guess the judges liked it a lot. My work has definitely paid off, but I wasn't the only one who worked on the film - many other people were involved."

Slick Rock is not only a night for students to win awards, however. It also provides students with star treatment, as if they were really in Hollywood.

"The night was amazing; we rode to the Fox Theatre in limos," Boudreau said. "When we got out of the limos, we walked down the red carpet as people were cheering for us. Most of the people from FC were interviewed twice on camera before we entered the theater."

These awards continue a history of success, with video productions students winning awards in Slick Rock in 2008. In addition, the Get Reel Student Film Festival honored three campus filmmakers in December 2009. Senior Mitchell Callisch's Butterfly video won a Slick Rock as well.

After the results of this year, Callisch says he is proud of the students and how they handled themselves in the spotlight.

"There is always room for improvement, and those that attend realize that making a great film requires a lot of work," Callisch said. "Our kids seemed to enjoy the limo ride and handled the red carpet and interviews very well. I think they represented our school well and our Lord."

For more information, read the May 4 article, Slick Rock selects 9 campus films. For past results, read the May 19, 2008 article, Competition showcases sophomore's cinematic talent.