BY SUE WHITEHOUSE OF THE METAMORA HERALD
OCTOBER 9, 2003
Metamora Township High School became a movie set Oct. 1, complete with actors, directors and cameramen.
The exterior shots, filmed on a section of the school's grounds, were the focus of the action recorded for a film written, and now being directed, filmed and edited by MTHS junior Levi Obery and MTHS 2003 graduate David Zimmerman.
Greg Christy, MTHS principal, explained he was approached by the two filmmakers to receive the school's cooperation and help in making a movie about school violence. Impressed with the boys' script and technical skills, Christy agreed that the school would cooperate and facilitate the project.
The film is in progress and, on completion, will be previewed, perhaps at the school. The recent filming involved the cooperation of Christy, Joe Blessman, dean of students, teachers Jerry Stowell and Joe Chianakas, and a number of student actors. To provide authenticity to the film, the local police department, Emergency 116 ambulance squad and a news crew from the WHOI-TV station, were enlisted as participants.
Not to give away, at this time, the specific plot of the "work in progress," suffice to say that the scenes shot last week involved the arrival, with lights flashing and sirens sounding, of three Metamora police cars (manned by four Metamora officers) and one of Emergency 116's ambulance units (with two squad members). The police did their job, exiting their vehicles, entering the school and bringing out a cuffed suspect. The ambulance squad was busy on its own caring for a "victim" removed by gurney from the school.
Student actors, including a number of extras, escaped the building, watched in horror as the "victim" was brought out and interacted with the news crew from Channel 19. That crew became not only part of the film, but also got a story of its own (on the project) for a segment to be aired on Channel 19.
The student filmmakers ordered take after take, shooting scenes from different angles to ensure they got what they wanted on film. The young directors learned why even the most simple shots need retakes. It was a guaranteed retake when police escorted the perpetrator to the squad car only to find the doors locked - scene 10, take three.
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