Teen filmmakers from across Indiana submitted their work for the Third Annual Phantoscope High School Film Festival in Richmond.
Two of those filmmakers are Whitko High School juniors Chase Stouder, 16, and Samuel Anderson, 17. They submitted their 10-minute piece called "Dear Josie."
The film festival is juried, and a committee is reviewing all submitted works. The chosen movies will be shown during the film festival March 21. On March 2, the selected movies for the film festival will be announced.
The film festival is at the Richmond Art Museum, 350 Hub Etchison Parkway. Panel discussion is at 5:30 p.m. with film screening beginning at 7 p.m. The panel discussion will cover the "How To" questions of independent filmmaking.
At the festival screening, one young filmmaker will win $500. The winning film will be announced at the screening. In addition, prizes for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Editing also will be given.
The film festival accepted entries from filmmakers enrolled in high school in counties from all across Indiana. A jury of filmmakers and media professionals evaluated all entries and selected the festival program.
During an interview Monday afternoon, Stouder said entry into the competition started out when he was in first-period media broadcast class. The class made short films, and Stouder's teacher, Laura Smiley, gave him the information about the festival.
Anderson said he has always been interested in making films. Stouder said he knew Anderson was a good writer, too.
Anderson said Stouder just approached him and told him about the competition. Stouder gave Anderson free rein on the script. But, Anderson said, after Stouder read it, he asked him if it had to be so dark. Anderson said yes.
"It's about the darker side of life, the choices we make," said Anderson.
The protagonist in the film is a character named Josh, played by Anderson. High school is about to end for Josh, and it's coming at a confusing time for the senior. Josh is also bullied a lot, and his "friends" are dropping him.
Josh's mother is ill, his father is gone, his brother is a "jerk" and his sister doesn't know which way to turn.
Ultimately, Anderson said, the film is about how people don't see how their actions can have terrible consequences.
Stouder said there are certain students at school who have problems like Josh's. Anderson said that while he and Stouder don't get picked on, they see it happen. That sparked the idea for the script and film, he said.
Besides Anderson and Stouder being in the film, the other main characters are played by students Gabe Starkey, Brittany Holler and Luke Crouse. Other students and adults play extras.
Stouder said they shot the film in South Whitley and a few scenes were shot at the high school. Filming took two to three weeks, and editing took a week, Stouder said.
"Thank God for our friends for putting up with us while we did this," said Anderson.
Stouder said their friends acting in "Dear Josie" did well. The film had to be turned in by Feb. 2. Stouder said they turned it in a week before deadline.Stouder said that while they haven't been invited to the film festival specifically for their film, they were invited to attend. So far, Anderson said, they have shown the movie to their families, Smiley and their friends.
"They all seemed to like it," Anderson said.
Stouder said he thanks all their family and friends, Smiley and Whitko High School for letting them make the movie.
"We'll probably make another film," said Stouder.
"Dear Josie" could mean the beginning of a career in film for both the young men.
Stouder, Warsaw, said he hasn't completely decided on his career plans, but he definitely wants to go into communications, probably video production and possibly writing. He hasn't determined what college will best suit him, but he wants to also continue running track and field.
Anderson, Pierceton, is looking into film school. He said he hopes to go to Hollywood and do films there.
"Everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm going to shoot for the stars," said Anderson.
According to a press release from the Richmond Art Museum, some of the other high schools represented in the 2009 festival include Madison Grant, Centerville, Noblesville, Huntington North, Bloomington South, Plainfield, West Lafayette, Jasper and Lowell.
For ticket information to the film festival, call the art museum at 765-966-0256.
