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What if the school were a jungle, and former wild life expert Steve Irwin roamed its halls, documenting and studying the wild behavior of the students?
 Seniors Christian Park and Jonathan Woo film AFA's latest project, Planet Lowell (Cherry Manoonsilpa) |
The Amateur Film Association is finishing their first project of the year, a mockumentary called Planet Lowell. “The film explores Lowell as a whole in the eyes of Steve Irwin,” AFA vice president senior Christian Park said. The production is a spoof on the documentary Planet Earth, Crocodile Dundee, and Crocodile Hunter, according to AFA president senior Jonathan Woo.
Though all AFA members are helping to produce Planet Lowell, many films are being produced outside club meetings as well. The club continually brainstorms for new movie ideas, though the majority of time is spent filming.
The club doesn’t always have the necessary equipment to film their productions, and are sometimes forced to improvise with films such as Planet Lowell. “We aren’t filming with a camera right now,” Park said. “We’ve been filming clips with a camera phone.” The club is responsible for providing their own equipment.
Currently, the AFA is beginning two more productions about the Lowell High School experience. AFA member senior Vanessa Lam pitched one of the two projects; a film exploring what life at Lowell is like for students and staff, while Woo pitched the second. “This documentary would explore the atmosphere of Lowell and the pressure to take Advanced Placement classes,” Woo said.
The AFA has been making films since they formed the club just a few years ago. Many of their productions require more than a year to complete, usually extending into the following year. Most students remain involved in working on the club’s productions, coming back the following year to finish them. This tradition of overlap is likely to continue because of the club’s commitment toward filmmaking. “We students are passionate about making movies,” Woo said.
The film Yellow Psychosis is one whose production has spilled over into the next year. “Christian wrote the script for the horror movie currently in production,” Woo said. “In the story, we follow the life of a somewhat arsty high school much like ours. (The main character) starts to develop hallucinations of a stalker.”
Although many students devote their free time to producing the films, students are not required to participate in every film. “Only some members are involved in the bigger project — mainly only the ones who are willing to give up their time,” Park said. According to Woo, the standard member is expected to act in movies, but can also decide to be involved in different aspects of filming, such as directing or screenwriting.
The AFA meets every Tuesday after school in room 255, in sponsor Richard Girling’s room, and gladly welcomes those wishing to participate in or learn about filmmaking. |
