Dearborn High School Student Films Debut Today

Dearborn High School students will debut two feature films today at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.

The films were developed in the DHS student video program under the direction of teacher Kurt Doelle.

This year's films include Becoming Charlie, a drama based on the true story of a Dearborn High student (and WDHS alumni) who lost his parents, and had to fight to gain stability for himself and his sibling.

Winnerman is a comedy that tackles the subject of bullying, where a high school football player risks his popularity to help a "nerdy" friend from bullies—a one-time job that turns him into an anti-bullying superhero.

Emmanuela Jannaro, writer of Becoming Charlie said working on the film has been an empowering experience.

"For me it's the idea that I can create my own world," she said. "I think of something and then pen it and physically create it and see it come to life."

Director Andrew Behm, who has been making movies for as long as he can remember, said being able to see the finished film on the big screen is very exciting.

"I can't draw, so if I'm not making art with a camera, I don't know what I'd be doing," he said.

According to WDHS, the film students enlisted the cooperation of a number of allies—including Fordson High School, where Becoming Charlie was filmed; Trenton High School, which loaned its football team's uniforms for Winnerman; DHS woodshop instructor John Cialone, who helped WDHS students to build a bathroom set; and the city of Dearborn, which allowed the students to use a city-owned home set for demolition for the filming of a high-drama scene in Becoming Charlie.

The films will premiere May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in the Michael A. Guido Theater. A "Best of Show" reel will also be shown, showcasing the best of other student’s projects made throughout the school year.

Tickets are available at the door and in advance by calling 313-827-1635.