This year Thomas Jefferson High School students paired up with teachers to jump-start a video club that allows students to practice video production skills and editing techniques every Wednesday during excel in room 101.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
The teacher sponsors for the new-found club are Matt Spampinato and Grant Laman, who say that the club will participate in activities such as competitions, fundraisers, and community service. “Being a part of CTE or Career Technology Education, we had to join a video club already in existence or make our own; by making our own we took a requirement and spun it into something fun,” Laman said.
The club is going strong with nine video savvy students, all of whom fill the officer positions of the group. The two Co-Presidents are Hayden Johnson and Nick Becker. The next position is the Vice-President, which is filled by Anthony Jones. Following them is the Secretary, Casey Edelman, the Treasurer, Alex French, and Promotions Manager Brandon Tara. However, more people are always wanted and teacher sponsor Spampinato says with a smile, “If you like video production and you are kind of a geek about video production and editing techniques, then this is the place to meet people just like yourself.”
Video club is not where students are taught skills, but a place where they can exercise them. Students get the chance to look at the others video projects and give them advice. “We don’t teach in the club, we make it a place where students can explore their creativity with film making and videos. And it gives us a chance to critique each other,” said Spampinato.
One of the many goals of this club is to compete in a film competition in May. DAFFY, the Denver Academy Film Festival for Youth, is the complex competition the club will enter. There are many different categories for filmmakers of Colorado to enter. “I enjoy being a part of the festivals and competitions. I want to be able to expand my video career; going to festivals gets my name out there and gives others the chance to see my work,” one of the Co-Presidents, Hayden Johnson commented.
There will be no cash prizes but the winner’s video will be shown at the Denver Film Festival. “I think the best prize is the pride that comes with winning,” Spampinato said.
The DAFFY film festival is free of charge, but to pay for the entry fee for other contests, the club will do fundraisers. In addition, the club will be seen doing some community service. Besides DAFFY, the club will also enter local competitions and create their own videos for fun. “The recent project I think they decided on was a 30 second ‘I am TJ’ video, so we will see what they come up with,” said Laman.
This club was organized and originated from the students themselves. “I really like the idea of having a video club because I am really interested in film. This club is also great because it boosts video experience and allows me to get more knowledge outside the classroom knowledge,” Co-President, Nick Becker said.
Spampinto and Laman got involved because they are the teachers in the Center for Communication Technology. “Since I teach Advanced Video, I like the idea that they are excited to do stuff outside the classroom walls,” commented Spampinto.
Every Wednesday, the club will be in room 101 working away on videos and improving their techniques. The door is always open and the club welcomes new members with open arms. The video club is new to Thomas Jefferson High School but it is already running like a well-oiled machine.
