Lights, Camera, Aviator Shootout

AHS Students Took Part in Annual Film Competition

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Students in the Media Arts program at Alliance High School spent last week preparing for the eighth annual Aviator Shootout that took place on Friday, Nov. 9.

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The Aviator Shootout requires groups of students to create a five minute film in two days with assigned props, genres, techniques and dialogue. There were three groups consisting of both juniors and seniors in the program.

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After finding out their assigned elements, the students had just 48 hours to create their movies from start to finish. The winning team was the group of students who created the most compelling movie and used the assigned elements in the most effective way.

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This year, winning movie was “Code: German” created by Drew Barker, Emma Courtwright, Madison Puckett, Maurice Jefferson and Nate Heitzenrater. It was an action film which had to use a pencil as a prop, a low camera angle for part of the filming process and the catchphrase “After all, today is just another day.”

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“It’s more like comedy action than just action,” Barker said. “It doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

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The team created an action comedy with the narrative of a secret agent saving the world from destruction with an exploding pencil. It was a creative and fun movie that led to many laughs from the audience while viewing it.

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The second place team was Merisa Howell, Will Kinser, Janel Lilly, Katie Blake and Madison Kee with their movie “The Golden Paper Clip.” The genre was science fiction and they had to use a paperclip as a prop, 360 pan as the technique and the catchphrase “They call me Mr. Tibs.”

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“The Heart of the Cards” came in third place. It was created by Jordan Raffle, Rainah Valdez-Torrez, Eddie Dillon, Kaitlin Hawkins and Destiny Green. It was a comedy that used a deck of cards as a prop, an extreme close up for the technique and the phrase “These go to 11.”

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“A 48 hour film competition is a real challenge for any filmmaker, especially a student,” said Chelsea Shar, the Media Arts teachers. “I think the students have a lot to be proud of. The winning film was stand out because they really implemented the things they learned in the last year or two.”

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Along with announcing the winners, the MVP award was presented to Eddie Dillon, a junior in the class. The award is voted on by the staff and students of the program and given to on individual who goes above and beyond in the class.

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“I was very surprised to receive the award,” Dillon said. “I think it means I helped of the other teams, and that means a lot to me.”

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The films were judged by five judges with a variety of backgrounds and film experience. Ryan Rainsburg, a 2012 graduate of the Media Arts program, enjoyed being able to watch this year’s films.

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“It was very refreshing to be on the other side of the table,” he said, reflecting on his time as a student taking part in the Aviator Shootout. “I thought they all did a pretty good job.”

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Rainsburg’s favorite film was “Code: German.” He thought the team was creative with the film and many of the scenes in it.

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The Aviator Shootout was sponsored by Alliance Venture, Mayor Alan Andreani, Robertson Heating Supply, Groves Appliance and Cassaday Turkle Christian Funeral Home. Items for the Aviator Shootout were donated from Traps Sports Center, Carter’s Copy Center, Buffalo Wild Wings and Hot Pots Pottery.