Students interested in filmmaking, movie history, and cinema of all sorts gathered for Atherton’s new Film Club at their first interest meeting. Curious ones met in Ms. McArthur’s room after school this past Thursday.
John Sheesley (12), an experienced student, creator, and fan of film, helped found the club.
“I’d found a good deal of people who would be interested and it was an opportunity to bring those people together outside of the two offered film classes,” Sheesley said. “That’s what making clubs is about: Bringing people with similar interests together.”
One of such people was Muhammad (Zayd) Khan (10), who would go on to become the club’s co-founder.
“I’ve been interested in film for as long as I can remember. I remember watching movies on DVD as a kid, out of a pretty big collection of them. I found out about John through my Senior mentor for the NHS mentorship program, Audrey Hagan, when she told me that I should look into starting a film club with him since I was interested in film. I figured it would be fun, and maybe be a way to meet people who also love film,” Khan said.
This meeting laid out club objectives for the rest of the year. After introducing the itinerary, there was a conversation about films best representative of their respective decades to give all members an abridged, foundational history of film.
Logan Todd (12), a former Film Studies student, found the upcoming plans interesting.
“We will be looking at what are considered the most important and defining films of each decade and what makes up such films,” Todd said.
Every month will be devoted to analyzing one genre and technique, with examples of the technique within the genre. December will be focused on Drama and Cinematography. Members are also encouraged to create a short film of their own to share with each other in May.
“Film is perhaps my favorite medium of art and expression. By having a film club, we have a space where people can appreciate film as a serious form of expression amongst each other, and hopefully come out of it with a few new friends who appreciate the medium as much as they do,” Khan said. “I think it’s important to have people who you can just talk about certain things with, and know they care as much as you do.”
Sheesley is greatly involved in film, attending GSA for film and photography, as well as taking multiple film classes. Sheesley has also made 7 films, and is currently working on two more.
“My interest in film really blossomed from Mr. Cooksey’s film studies class. His passion for what he teaches is admirable and made me push myself, and in that process I found what I love. His love for art can’t be overstated and I’d like to think it influences his students,” Sheesley said. “I do a lot that is film-related. Second to my friends, it is probably the best thing in my life.”
From the stories of John’s friends and fellow club members, John’s love of film has similarly inspired those around him.
“John is very passionate about film and it’s a very interesting club if you like films or just like watching them,” Todd said. “If you are thinking about checking it out, please do!”
The next Film Club meeting will be on Thursday, December 4th.
