Teens From Park Ridge Win Big With Silent Films

Students from both Maine East High School and Maine South High School received top honors for their silent films at the Student Silent Film Festival (SSFF) held Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove.

Phillip Ash is Maine East’s Radio and Television teacher, and the film is titled “Prometheus Bound.” Mason Strom is Maine South’s Radio/TV Broadcasting teacher, and their film is titled “You Can Only Imagine.”

The fourth annual Student Silent Film Festival was a film competition in which students from 11 high schools created original motion pictures. Unlike other film competitions, however, the movies submitted told their stories in visual terms without the aid of voices or sound effects. Each school was given four weeks to create its silent film entry.

“Being honored at the Student Silent Film Festival was a testament to my students' hard work, creativity, and collaborative skills,” Phillip Ash said. “They were able to see this project through with little creative compromise and, as a result, we have a story of which everyone is proud.”

The students who created “Prometheus Bound” at Maine East are Andre Larios, director/writer; Quintin Lasky, assistant director; Mark Lazo, animation and graphics; and Jonathan Mathew, actor.

“It's a great feeling to see our passion for film come to life on screen and to have it be well-received by our peers and the judges,” said Andre Larios, 18, of Maine East. “I learned a lot about the importance of collaboration and communication. Trust in your team is essential to creating meaningful art.”

“From the beginning the director and lead writer of the film had a specific idea of what they wanted ‘Prometheus Bound’ to be,” Phillip Ash said. “The team found time to test different lenses and looks before they landed on the aesthetic they wanted. My students filmed and stayed late after school, were honest with themselves throughout the process, and did not shy away from re-shoots. Their dedication was second to none.”

Maine South

“The students who produced this project are incredibly dedicated to creating films that are entertaining and engaging to audiences,” said Mason Strom, Radio/TV Broadcasting teacher at Maine South. “Watching their collaboration and devotion to the work was very inspiring. Maine South has participated in the festival every year it has taken place, and this was the first time the students received the honor of Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking.”

The filmmaking team at Maine South included Angie Guercio, Will Burns, Tyler DeMott, Riley Gibson, Nicole Scimeca, Dylan Sarsany, Evan Saurer, Luke Compton, Maddie Beyer, Giona Maccaferi, and Max Jokinen.

“I was the editor and a co-writer on the film,” said Angie Guercio, 16, a Maine South student. “Winning was the validation I needed to fully believe in myself and my work. With so many voices of input, I had to learn how to take other people's advice without sacrificing my own opinions.”

All submitted movies were shown with live musical accompaniment by festival founder Derek Berg who is a professional pianist and CEO of the Clarendon Hills Music Academy. Berg’s original compositions were inspired by the soundtracks from the network series “Stranger Things.”

For the festival, a panel of judges — all professionals in the entertainment or art education industries – selected Main East and Main South based on the quality of the story narrative, development, camera work, lighting, and editing.

Both high schools were provided with an HD digital file of their movie with the accompaniment sound track.

“In addition to being an incomparable experience for all the participating students,” Festival Founder Ed Newmann said, “the winning filmmakers will have powerful pieces of work for their portfolios.”

Due to the success of all four years of this festival, a Halloween Silent Film Festival will take place in October, tentatively scheduled for October 25, 2023.

For more information, visit: https://www.studentsilentfilmfestival.org/