TCS Students Shine in Annual Spring Film Race
By Samantha DePriest
The film program at TCS has seen incredible growth and development over the years, thanks to the dedication of staff and the generosity of Annual Fund donors. Originally started by Mr. Oscar Camejo and Mr. John Steinklauber, the film class has evolved with Mr. Chris Litton’s vision which reimagined the course to make it even more dynamic. What began as a class of just 7 students learning about the history of film and cinematography, has now expanded into a growing group. The class produces the weekly Roar, a production that airs before high school chapel each Wednesday providing students with hands-on experience in film production.
This school year, the film class began with 15 students reflecting a growing interest and talent in the field. Through generous donations to the TCS Annual Fund, the classroom has now been outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment helping to elevate the production quality to new levels.
A major highlight for the students this year was an invitation to participate in the prestigious Annual Spring Film Race hosted by the University of West Georgia's (UWG) Film and Communications Department. Traditionally a collegiate competition, this year marked the first time that high school students were allowed to participate. The competition presented a unique challenge where students were given a prompt on Monday and had one week to create a short film based on the following constraints.
1) Narrative element: something breaks and needs to be fixed
2) Selection of dialogue
3) Hybrid genre: a buddy comedy with a sci-fi twist.
The TCS film class embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. From February 24th to March 3rd, our students worked tirelessly through pre-production, filming, and editing. The end result was their first-ever short film titled the InstallmenT, a project entirely written, directed, produced, and edited by our students. The film showcases incredible talent. Several of the students and staff shared about their experience of being a part of it the first short film production.
Kasara Haynes, Director, shared, “Directing this film was an incredible experience! I felt that the Lord’s presence was with us throughout the entire process. The opportunity to collaborate with such talented individuals and create something that brings joy to others is a gift and I truly believe it was through HIS guidance that we were able to bring this vision to life. It was a reminder of how creativity and faith can come together in beautiful ways.”
Editor Brett Rogers shared, ”Yes! I absolutely love the opportunity to produce and edit this film. I was surrounded not only by wonderful staff, but also by peers that push me to be the best version of myself. Being surrounded by people who share those same interests as me, even if I was in my own little editing corner the whole time, made the whole process so much more enjoyable.”
Eli Heath, Writer, shared, “Working on The InstallmenT was such an awesome experience! It was a great way to practice script writing and filming, on an actual set. The cast and crew were remarkable and I was so blessed to be a part of this project!"
Lead Actress Harper Gonzalez shared, “Acting is one of my greatest passions, and I feel incredibly blessed to have the support to pursue it. This experience has been one of my favorite times in front of the camera. Doing what you love and sharing it with friends is truly life-changing. I was so fortunate to work under such amazing directors and alongside talented peers who helped bring this incredible film to life. All glory to the Lord!”
Lead Actor John Steinklauber shared, “Throughout my years, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a few different film productions, I was completely impressed at how organized and well planned our students were for their short film. Considering that they only had a week to write, cast, plan, produce, film, and edit this project I was beyond amazed... I can’t say it enough... they were all so extremely professional.”
The Annual Spring Film Race not only showcased the students' technical skills but also highlighted their ability to collaborate creatively under a tight deadline. Mr. Deone Kay, Professor and Head of Film and Video Productions for the School of Communication, Film, and Media at UWG, was complimentary of our students. Our TCS team was presented with the Trailblazer Award on Thursday, March 13th at the UWG Spring Film Race.
The program’s participation in the competition at UWG is a testament to the growing recognition of TCS’s film students' capabilities. Mr. Litton shared, “I am immensely proud of these students for their incredible work on this short film. TCS Film is full of passionate creatives, who are forging their legacy here at Trinity by being the trailblazers of the program. This opportunity to showcase the tremendous talent here at TCS through this short film has been a joy to watch and I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store next for TCS Film.”
With this successful debut in the Annual Spring Film Race, the TCS film program continues to grow and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. For those interested in furthering their film and media education, TCS offers a Film and Broadcast Production class that fills up quickly, with a cap of 17 students per class. This elective course is a great opportunity for aspiring filmmakers. Additionally, starting in the fall of 2025, TCS will offer Film Fellowship, an after-school club for students in grades 9-12, providing them with even more opportunities to explore and create films. Students may reach out directly to Chris.Litton@tcslions.org with questions.
