Friday Is Film Night
On Friday evening, AVPA will premiere its film department’s spring project, “Killing Jackie,” a short 16mm film.
The film will be screened every half hour from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Jimmy Stewart Building at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Reservations can be made by calling AVPA Film Dept. Director James Bentley, at 310.842.4200, ext. 3306. Parking is provided. But attendees will need a photo id to get onto the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot.
Meeting Five Directors
Meanwhile, during the Open House, potential students, parents and the public will have an informal opportunity to tour AVPA’s facilities and meet faculty and students.
Break out sessions with the creative directors from each AVPA department – Art, Dance, Film, Music and Theater – will offer answers to questions about this rigorous after-school program available to high school students interested in the arts. A more formal information meeting for prospective parents and students will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Frost Auditorium. Applications for admission and a brochure about the Academy will be distributed at the information meeting.
With more than 200 students enrolled in 50 classes and workshops taught by 30 faculty members, and students participating in more than 25 productions, exhibitions, performances, and special events, the AVPA has been a busy place this year.
From the Inside Out
According to Co-Executive Director Tony Spano, “We’re looking forward to this Open House as an opportunity to share our enthusiasm about our program and where we’re headed in the future.”
AVPA’s other Co-Executive Director, Kristine Hatanaka adds, “I’ve seen so many students blossom through our program. AVPA not only lets students develop their creativity through arts education, but it provides a community where they develop deep, lasting friendships, as well as a sense of responsibility and commitment. Our students have many opportunities to work alongside professionals in the arts and entertainment industry unlike any public high school in Los Angeles. And we also try to have a little fun.”
A 10-Year Custom
As for Friday night’s film showing, Janice Pober, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Sony Pictures Entertainment, had this to say about the “Killing Jackie” event:
“Sony Pictures Entertainment is delighted to host the premier for these young filmmakers from AVPA. We’ve been hosting the premier screening of their spring film project since 1997. We always look forward to seeing the work the students have created. It’s a gift for us to see the joy on the students’ faces when they see their film screened for the first time at our facilities. It’s a magical experience."
AVPA’s young filmmakers are on a roll. The film students recently took home the top prize from the Los Angeles County Office of Education Digital Voice Awards, winning Best Overall High School film for “Club Evil,” directed by Marcos Avila. Two films, “Club Evil” and “The Rental,” were both recognized as award winning student films garnering Outstanding Achievement awards.
Background
“Killing Jackie,” adapted by AVPA film student Erin Perez, was based on a true story of an unreported murder. Mickey is a prime suspect because he fought with Jackie only hours earlier. But did he commit the murder? Why didn’t anybody come to the aid of the screaming young victim? How does a shadowy man named Ben figure into the story? These questions and more are answered in the film.
For information, call 310.842.4200 at extension 6094 or 6001.