Jepsen starts Film Club

by Danny Tehrani
Express Editor

Film’s importance to American society is undeniable. Hollywood’s Golden Age set the standard for movie-making and influenced areas beyond film, such as celebrity and pop culture, fashion, and beauty. In fact, movies have helped spread American culture around the world.

Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that Westhill has a club dedicated to the silver screen. Sophomore Tucker Jepsen has taken the initiative to bring back Westhill’s film club under the guidance of English teacher Mr. Vandergrift.

The idea to start up the film club again came to Jepsen around the end of last year. Jepsen was inspired by movie projects he completed for classes. Since his middle school did not provide equipment or mentors for a film program, he decided to make 
one himself.

“When I asked around, many kids said that [a film club] would be a great idea, so I decided to see what I could put together,” said Jepsen. His eventual goal for film club  is “to produce independent films. There are many different things around Westhill that we can make movies about, whether it is stuff going [on] around school or our own ideas,” he said.

“There are many regional film festivals that we could enter.  The first project I would like to do is basically a music video of the Westhill Drumline,” said Jepsen.

“There are are only two members so far but we’re trying to get a few more. We’re planning a few projects right now,” said Mr. 
Vandergrift.

Jepsen hopes to gain more participants throughout the year. For those interested in joining the club, you can learn how to video tape, edit, light, and write or direct films. To get involved, attend one of Film Club’s weekly meetings on Tuesdays in room 405.

“Movies are a great way to portray people’s feelings and entertain them as well,” said Jepsen. Movie-making combines art and enjoyment, making it a prominent form of expression that should not go unappreciated by the student body.