Art's Eye

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Junior Reid Schnider

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"Outside of Orchestra, all the people in it are just normal people going about their separate lives. But when they come together, they almost become like one. They all work together to form one thing, and it is really interesting to see the transformation [of] people when they are just coming into the room and sitting down [to] when they are playing the instrument. They are completely different."

Pierce Constanti ‘15

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Sneak Peak: Almost, Maine

On Friday, November 4th, the Drama Department will open its doors to present Almost, Maine. An open-ended romantic comedy set in a small town in Maine, the play has no central plot line. Instead, it is composed of 11 short scenes, which all leave the viewer questioning what happens next. “It’s very open ended,” said Drama Teacher Kathleen Ray, who is directing the play. “In my discussions with the actors, I’ve discovered we all have different ideas of where it goes, and that’s great.”       

The actors in Almost, Maine, which runs on November 4th, 5th, 10th, and 11th, are enthusiastic about their upcoming performances, and havehigh praise for the play. “The comedy aspect is fun to play with,”commented Junior Veronica Timpane. Timpane, like many of the actors, is in two different scenes which she enjoys, because they gives her the chance to experiment with two totally different characters.       

With only technical details left to sort, and opening night only two days away, it will soon be the audience’s job to figure out “what happens next,” in the whimsical yet poignant scenes that comprise Almost, Maine.

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Artwatch: Filmmaking Class

This year the Fine Arts department offered a new and exciting elective: Filmmaking. Ever since he arrived at the school, photography teacher Harry Muniz had always been interested in creating a filmmaking class; last year he discovered that many of the students in the video production class also shared his interest. So far this year, the filmmaking class has focused on the study of cinematography-- the art of making motion pictures using sophisticated camera skills. 

Many of the techniques utilized in Filmmaking such as exposure, composition, and the usage of light are taught in Photo I. Taking this into account, Photo I is considered the prerequisite to the Filmmaking class because it is the foundation of cinematography. On the other hand, Filmmaking introduces students to new skills, like capturing motion, angles, and different shots. Sophomore filmmaking student Emma Boeckling said, “I have learned many shot angles. My favorite, the Dutch angle, is filmed at a tilted angle." 

Throughout the course of the year, students will study various filmmakers, watch famous films, and create short films of their own. So far, they have studied works of Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Wells, Wes Anderson, and many other notable filmmakers. During the first quarter, each student completed three impressive films. Students created a 30-second film on light and shadows for their first project, and last week students completed two-minute films investigating camera movement. As the year progresses, students will gain the knowledge of how to edit films on Final Cut Pro. By the end of the year they will be able to produce 15 to 20-minute short films, which they hope to showcase in a school-wide Student Film Festival.

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by Aida Julien

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Colla Spearheads South Africa Trip

by Olivia Lucas

This summer, Colla Voce and other students who wish to attend will take a Music Study Tour through South Africa to learn about the music, culture, and people of the region. This is the first year that the School's choir has traveled to South Africa. Choir Director Bob Wells said, "I had the opportunity to travel to other places, like Spain and Italy, but I chose Africa because it's a fresher experience for the students and there's so much to learn in Africa." Participants will engage in captivating activities such as wild safaris through Pilanesberg, visits to the Apartheid Museum, and a boat trip to Seal Island, where they will visit the Penguin Colony. Students will also take part in three guided sightseeing tours through Johannesburg, Soweto, and Cape Town.  Bearing in mind that the main reason for this trip is to study music, there will also be plenty of singing. The choir will rehearse four days during this trip and will get to work with an African choir director. Rounding it out, the choir will perform four concerts and will be joined by local African choirs.  The South Africa Music Study Tour is a great opportunity to travel and experience a new way of life. Participants will meet and learn about other people and cultures, through joint dinners and performances with the African choirs.  Don't miss your chance to join in on the fun! The dates of the trip are June 11 to June 24, 2012, but applications must be returned to Mr. Wells by Monday, October 17th. For more information about the trip contact Bob Wells, [email protected].