Jess Crawford took to the stage of the school auditorium on March 26, and, without a script, began her nerve-wracking task: public speaking.
Crawford hosted JC’s first ever student film festival for her senior project.
After submitting her own short films to various festivals, Crawford realized that a film festival was what JC was missing. So she took matters into her own hands, presenting the idea for a film festival to Fine Arts teacher Bob Schick, who quickly offered to be her project adviser.
Crawford accumulated approximately 45 hours in total on her project, spending the majority of time promoting the festival to other schools in the area. Crawford even contacted several judges for the festival: Frank Bond, William Boniface, Michelle Geczy, and John Marsh.
“The hardest part of my senior project was trying to get all of the pieces of the puzzle put together” said Crawford. “All of the snow caused things to move at a slower pace, but I moved forward and did the best I could.”
Crawford received more submissions than she had time to show during the two hour festival. Not only did current students, such as senior Andrew Lhotsky and junior Brooke Basta submit films, but alumni including Henry Basta, class of ’07, and Jay Karolenko, class of ’08, also submitted material. Even students from the Friends School in Baltimore entered multiple films into the festival.
The films ranged from short comedies to long dramas, and music videos to animations. The audience, as well as the judges, faced the challenge of choosing their favorite of the nineteen films shown.
The Judge’s Choice Award went to Henry Basta and Jay Karolenko for their animated music video “Super Fresh Love.” The Audience’s Favorite was Nicky Hatzidimitriou, with her “Preview of Scarred,” which is a part of her own senior project.
“My favorite part of my senior project was the actual [film festival]. Hearing all the laughter and reading all of the comments proved that hard work and determination really pay off,” Crawford said. “My hope is that [the festival] will become a new tradition.”
Even with the main aspect of her senior project finished, Crawford still has plenty to keep her busy. For the senior showcase and her senior project presentation, Crawford is creating a short film that will show the steps she took in order to put the festival together.
Overall, senior project has had a positive effect on Crawford, preparing her for a possible future career, and giving her experience in what it takes to organize and host a large event.
But above all else, the most important lessons Crawford has taken away from senior project are the ones that she can carry throughout life. “Hard work and determination do not go unnoticed,” said Crawford. “As long as I work hard and put effort into everything I do, it will pay off, and be spectacular.”
Nicky Hatzidimitriou can be reached for comment at [email protected].
Taylor Schafer can be reached for comment at [email protected].
[nggallery id=74]