Campion holds filmmaking workshop, receives camera from Southern

Steve Eickmann happily receives the camera from film producer Mark Comberiate, one of the workshop instructors.

Southern Adventist University’s film department provided a 2-day filmmaking workshop for 16 Campion students October 4-5, donating a Panasonic HVX200 video camera and providing instruction on how to use it. These students spent time planning projects, filming, editing, and and finally screening their work to an enthusiastic audience on Monday evening.

The workshop instructors included Southern Adventist University’s film program coordinator David George, Campion alumnus Zach Kast, and Mark Comberiate, producer of the award-winning short film I Will Not Fear.

Kast knew that SAU’s film department was planning on retiring some of their cameras, and he suggested Campion Academy as a recipient. The idea of donating the camera morphed into the idea of holding a workshop, and 16 available spots were filled almost immediately.

Kast, now a senior film major at SAU, credits his high school English class as the place he first discovered he could tell stories through film. “It encouraged me to do what I wanted to do, and that was film.” Now he is paying it forward to Campion students who attended the workshop. “I hope that it gives the students a taste of how fun and important filmmaking can be,” he said.

Freshman Ethan Gueck, who has always been interested in film, signed up for the workshop in order to expand his skills. “I’ve been wanting to do more professional projects, and I was able to learn how to use a higher quality camera and a more advanced editing program,” he said. Junior Jose Castro, on the other hand, had never thought about getting into filmmaking. He admitted, “Now it’s something I might look into for college.”

Gueck’s documentary team created a film about their classmate Himanshu Bhantana’s experience in the recent Nepal earthquake. Castro’s group filmed Principal Don Reeder’s story about overcoming challenges as a boys’ dean.

David George, whose recent work includes directing the photography for the feature-length film Old Fashioned, was very pleased with the success of the workshop. “I hope that [the students] saw the power of story, whether it takes the written form, or is conveyed through sound or picture. Story is powerful.  After all, what is the Bible mostly comprised of?  I also hope that they see that filmmaking isn’t out of reach.”  

These Campion students now have the ability to continue learning how to create inspirational and promotional films, which is exactly what Campion technology director Steve Eickmann was hoping for. “We want as many kids as possible to get the experience of working with the camera and using it to create positive messages.”

Campion students planned, filmed, and edited short documentary films in less than 24 hours.