Homer Alaska - News -

"By the district's deadline, there were only five films submitted. Four were ours," said Zuniga, who has worked with Fireweed's student film club the two years she has taught there. "You can imagine how upset the kids were after three months of work."

In a "show must go on" spirit, Zuniga sent out a notice she would attempt to find a venue in Homer to show the films. The responses she received included a go-ahead from Homer Theatre owner Jamie Sutton and theater manager Robin Daugherty, agreeing to a screening of student films at the theater.

At today's screening, the public can see:

* "In Your Face, produced by Fireweed Academy students Maggie LaRue, fifth grade; Molly Mitchell, fourth grade; and Wren Mikols, fourth grade.

* "Emily Nauman Concert Mystery," produced by Fireweed Academy students Charity Nauman, third grade; Sierra Wylde, third grade; Jessie Hiller, third grade; and Paloma Ramirez, third grade.

* "The Tricks of Raven," produced by Fireweed students Alex Knudtson, fifth grade; Stone Huffman, fifth grade; Woape Huffman, third grade; and Devin Iredale, fifth grade.

* "A Day in the Life of a Chocolate," produced by Fireweed students Emma McNary, fifth grade; Lisa Wisner, fifth grade; Lindsey Schneider, fourth grade; Jane Rohr, fifth grade; and Elias Gibson, fifth grade.

* "5 Minute News," produced by Chapman School students Taylor Ellison, sixth grade; Tori Ellison, fourth grade; Phillip Whitney, eighth grade; and Rayann Clutts, eighth grade.

* "MHJK News," produced by McNeil Canyon Elementary School students Maggie Koplin, sixth grade; Hannah Baird, sixth grade; Jonas Noomah, fifth grade; and Kayla Moreton, sixth grade.

* "Chocolate Madness," produced by McNeil Canyon Elementary School students Patrick Latimer, fifth grade; Sunny Puterbaugh, fifth grade; Brandon Beachy, fifth grade; Hannah Baird, sixth grade; and Morgan Kelly, fifth grade.

Guidelines for entries included a maximum length of five minutes. Each entry had to be done by students only.

All entries are color. None are animated, although entries could have used animation or stop-motion. The invitation went to filmmakers from third through 12th grade, but only elementary students produced and submitted entries.

Zuniga has worked with students at 11 district schools, exploring the world of filmmaking.

At Fireweed, she and 17 students sharpened their skills through an after-school film club. Beginning in February, the club learned elements essential in creating a short film: planning, scripting, scene set-up, lighting, camera angles, filming, acting, public speaking, film capturing, editing and copyright laws.

"A lot of people say, they can't do this because it's too difficult and they're not good with computers, and I say, 'Wait a minute, that's not fair. I just learned it by doing it,'" Zuniga said. "You just get in there and do it. When something goes wrong, that's when you learn the next step."

The Homer Theatre screening begins at 3:45 p.m. and will last approximately an hour. Each entry will be introduced by its filmmakers. Admission is $2 for students and $4 for adults to cover the building's $100 rental fee. Filmmakers receive free passes.

The films also will be available for viewing soon on the Homer News Web site, www.homernews.com.