The Advanced Film Students at Los Alamitos High School have created an impressive cinematic short film revolving around drunk driving and the permanent damage it can have on individuals, their families and their communities.
Each year, a host of major entities come together to pull off an “Every 15 Minutes” dramatic re-enactment at school to showcase the dangers of drinking and driving, but this film goes way beyond that, said Conner Brown, Director of Film and Video at the High School.
He said while his students did film the recent reenactment at the school, this film goes way beyond last week’s event.
“This film has been in production for months,” said Brown.
“Students have pulled off something never done before by any other high school, filming a true to life crash scene at night with real actors, real police officers, and real paramedics,” said Conner Brown, Director of Film and Video at Los Al High School.
“This chilling short film left auditoriums full of students, teachers, and families on the edge of their seats and in tears as they watched a father and an 8-year-old actress find themselves as victims affected by the crash,” he said.
“This video has already garnered thousands of views in just a week, a true testament to the students’ work in creating a high quality and highly engaging story that has impressed everyone who has watched it,” said Brown, who in a handful of years has established a powerful center of film and tv at the school.
The film was directed by Brown, written by Joe Burke and produced by Brown, Burke, Lina Lumme of the Youth Center, Clair Murano and Judy Brucki.
Student Daniel Padilla was the Director of Photography.
Brown said professional actor Michael Berry stepped in to help and once the project got rolling, the Los Al Police Department stepped in to participate.
He said Los Al PD closed part of a street for half the night where we filmed an actual wreck using wrecked cars, smoke and whatever it took to make it realistic.
“To my knowledge, this has never been done,” he said, noting that similar films generally are done within 24 hours of the school production.
“We’ve worked on this for many months,” said Brown.
The result is an emotionally touching film with a touching story that amplifies the message against drinking and driving,” said Brown.
Of all of the films produced by the students at the school, Brown said he is especially proud of the way this one turned out as he now plans to turn to the festival circuit to show the film.
The ENE has included the link to the film below.
Here is the link to the video on YouTube: