Avid® (Nasdaq: AVID) recognizes the students from Claremont High School in Claremont, Calif., who were named finalists in the third annual White House Student Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Students Ira Clark, Johnathan Abrolat and Christian Settles used editing system Avid Media Composer® to create A Walk, one of 13 finalists selected from more than 700 entries from across the country to be screened at the festival.
In partnership with the American Film Institute (AFI), the White House Student Film Festival was part of South By South Lawn, an outdoor event celebrating the arts and ideas in America. Special guests at the film’s screening included Modern Family star Ty Burrell, Emmy® Award-nominated actress Alfre Woodard, Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown and Stranger Things creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer.
“Avid Media Composer is a sophisticated piece of software, able to handle projects of varying complexity with ease, all the while being very accessible even to high school film students,” said Clark. “It was a great surprise to be selected as a finalist and that the judges saw our true vision in our work and the talent that went into creating it.”
The students created A Walk, which sheds light on environmental issues that affect society, under the supervision of educator Sara Hills, who has taught video production at the school for the past three years. The course gives students hands-on experience in Avid’s comprehensive tools and workflow solutions powered by its open, tightly integrated and efficient platform designed for media. Some of the same tools that powered the top 10 films of 2016, are used by Hills’ students. As an Avid Learning Partner, Claremont High School benefits from Avid’s cost-effective licensing options for educational institutions and has immersed its students in Avid curriculum, inspiring them to pursue future careers in the creative arts and enabling them to benefit from being part of Avid’s preeminent user community.
“Media Composer is the industry standard,” said Hills. “After attending AFI and having experience in the television and film industry, that’s what everybody edits on. My goal in rebuilding the program here at Claremont was to give students the tools they can take into the workforce or college. The continuous support we’ve received from Avid has been phenomenal, and played a tremendous role in helping the program reach the next level. Avid’s partnership with next generation creatives is a true inspiration.”
“We’re honored that Claremont High School has chosen to teach its students Avid – preparing the next generation of story tellers,” said Jeff Rosica, sr. VP, chief sales and marketing officer at Avid. “Our flexible deployment and payment options are designed to allow anyone to tell their story–from industry professionals to high school students. We want to congratulate both the students and educators of Claremont for their achievement and for being a shining example of what’s possible.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More