Video Students Hope for Community Support of Film Festival, Program

With education funding cuts on seemingly everyone's minds these days, Berkley High School’s Advanced Video Production class is counting on the community's support of its annual film festival tonight to help keep it going.

Video production teacher Caye Matthews explained that if Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed reductions in school aid passes, Berkley schools could be forced to change the high school schedule from block scheduling to a traditional six-class day. That traditional schedule would greatly reduce the number of electives, such as video production, students can take within a school year.

“If there are scheduling changes, I hope this is still an elective they will offer,” a concerned Matthews said.

A large turnout at tonight's 10th Annual Berkley High School Student Film Festival will speak volumes about how the community values the educational experiences the video production program offers. The elective classes are largely self-funded, with students raising money for computers, cameras, green screens and editing decks.

The festival will showcase music videos, public service announcements, short film and sporting events, all created by video production students.

With the theme of A Road Trip, tonight's program will highlight many of the landmarks on a Berkley High School student’s radar, such as the small businesses along 12 Mile Road, the Berkley Theatre marquee and Hurley Field.

Meghan Steingold also promised her never-before-seen winter sports wrapup will surely draw some excitement from the crowd. 

From the creation of the videos down to the ticket sales, about 15 video production students have put in countless hours on the event in hopes of funding a new editing deck and cameras.

Film festival producer Steingold said the video productions class changed her life. “It has helped break me out of my shell,” said Steingold, a junior. “I fell in love with it.”

Steingold also realizes the career development skills the film program nurtures. “It can shape someone and what they want to do after high school,” she said. “For me, it has helped me work well with others, in a group.”

Matthews echos Steingold’s ideas. “They learn to hold each other accountable because the deadlines come hard and fast, just like in real life,” he said.

As a producer, Steingold has been forced to make some tough decisions regarding which videos make the cut – and which don't.  “To them, their projects are important to them,” Steingold said. “I feel bad having to tell them it can’t go in, but that is what I have to do.” Steingold also gives credit to students Nitasha Kernen-Fox and Madeline Oliver for helping.

10th Annual Berkley High School Student Film Festival

When: 7 p.m. May 6
Where: Berkley High School auditorium
Tickets: $3 at the door