In the fall of 2012, Downey High created a new ROP class dedicated to students who wish to master in the art of video production.
Video production is run by Geometry teacher and basketball coach Mr. Nathan Harris and was formed by request the request of Principal Tom Houts in order to promote the interesting activities going on within the school. Although there is no experience needed to be in the class, students who join should have a sense of passion in creating videos for the school.
“I just want students, who are interested in video production, who are willing to put in some extra time,” Harris said.
Some of the projects that the ROP class has completed include creating promotional videos for the athletics department, which can be seen on Youtube, as well as a video of a Coaches Clinic for Chivas USA used by the Downey American Youth Soccer Organization. Photographer for The Downey Patriot, Martin Trejo, assisted the ROP film class for this event.
“The Downey AYSO was interested in videotaping the clinic so they could post the instruction online as a tool for the league’s volunteer coaches,” Trejo said. “The ROP students were interested in the project so we decided to undertake the project together.”
There are many steps that go into creating the perfect video. The first step includes pre-production, which is the time to plan out how the video will be created. Next is production, which is the actual filming. The final step is post-production that consists of editing and combining all the footage to produce the final video. Although this process may take a while and seem exhausting, all students have a specific part in making a video to lessen the workload.
“In class we found a producer, post-production supervisor, camera operators, sound operators, segment producers, editors,” Trejo said. “There is even a student creating original music for the production.”
Many students, such as senior Patrick Sullivan, an avid independent film maker, entered the ROP film class with established skills in areas such as writing and directing; however, with the advanced technology available in the class, Sullivan has had more experience with the editing aspect of film.
“It’s kind of helped me find people to help out on my films, as part of the crew, like camera people, people to help me edit, etc.” Sullivan said.
Nevertheless, ROP isn’t only just about creating videos or improving editing skills. For Senior Shelby Sanchez, ROP is about making her realize what her dreams are in life.
“I want to do one thing before I die: Have one successful movie,” Sanchez said. “I want to continue my career [in film] into college and learn more about it.”
Even in its initial stages, the video production course has sparked enduring excitement from the student body.
