BPS Film Students Travel to Los Angeles, California!

BPS Film Students Take On L.A.!  

BPS film students with CineMagic CEO Joan Burney Keatings and Actor Colin Farrell

Eight Design and Media Pathways from East Boston High School and The English High School
traveled to Los Angeles, California to take part in a one-week high school film festival with the
non-profit organization CineMagic of Belfast, Northern Ireland. These same students created a short film last
fall with the help of CineMagic through a partnership with the Mayor’s Office of International
Partnerships.  Participating students from the Boston Public Schools will be collaborating with
other film students from both Belfast, Northern Ireland and L.A.

Film Producing Masterclass with Sean Barney

Renowned producer Sean Barney presented a two-hour workshop on the art of producing commercials.
Mr. Barney also produces short films but loves the change of pace of commercials, especially
ones for the Super Bowl.  Mr. Barney went over all aspects of producing a commercial including
staffing, budgeting, location selection, storyboarding, and talent selection.  The students dug deep
into Mr. Barney’s recent Aspen Dental commercial by reading the script, analyzing the storyboard,
and predicting how many art and production staff would be needed to execute the project.  When
asked how to get into the business of producing, Mr. Barney recommended starting as a runner on a
set and working your way up the ladder. You can learn more about Sean Barney at
https://seanbarney.com.  

Ross King: The Art of the Interview

Ross King is a Scottish television presenter, actor and writer, best known for
being the LA Correspondent for ITV Breakfast programs Lorraine and Good Morning Britain.
Mr. King gave stellar advice on interviewing stars both on the red carpet and in one-on-one interviews.
A few tips from Mr. King:

• If you are working with someone who is not freely answering questions-ask the question and after the response, be silent.  The interviewee wants to fill space since we as humans want to do that. So as an interviewer just pause and don’t speak…then the answers get deeper.
• When interviewing young kids, give the answer in the question instead of evoking a yes/no response.  Example: “You must be excited and nervous to come to L.A., tell us about that.”
• Hold eye contact-engage with that person.
• Slow down your interview questions, and then slow them down even more!  When interviewing typically adrenaline is high, so take a moment to slow down!  

Using Film to Make an Impact with Julia Ormond

English Actress Julia Ormond discussed how her career trajectory has changed from actress to activist.
Ms. Ormond is the Founder and President of Asset, The Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking.
Utilizing her strong storytelling abilities, Ms. Ormond was the co-executive producer and director of the
film “Ghost Fleet,” which featured human trafficking in the Thailand fishing industry. Watch an interview
here about “Ghost Fleet.”  Students engaged Ms. Ormond with questions and learned how they can be the
change agents of the future.

Q & A with Colin Farrell

Hollywood actor Colin Farrell gave an amazing interview to our students.  He discussed how he started
acting, techniques for becoming one with a character, and his goals going forward.  East Boston High
School student Juan Arias asked Mr. Farrell how he deals with finding motivation and how to navigate
with competing motivations.  Mr. Farrell responded that motivations change over time and you need to
make sure that you love what you do. He then discussed his love of writing and hopes to direct and act
in a film he has been writing for the past few years.  The students were certainly star-struck!

Dial 911, the Zombies Have Arrived!

Students worked with Hollywood make-up artists Maryann Yee and Alicia Rae to learn techniques for creating blood
and veins.  Students had to create a story to go along with their artwork and present for the group.
In this engaging activity, students partnered with new friends from Belfast and L.A.-a great ice breaker
(or a vein breaker)!

Follow us each day this week as we update you on our trip to L.A.!

Anthony Beatrice

Executive Director for the Arts

Boston Public Schools