The St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) filmmaking class, a huge success last year with the debut of five female-driven films, has become a great opportunity for St. Mary’ students interested in film to hone their skills or experience hands-on the world of filmmaking for the first time. With access to professional guidance, great technology, and with Portland serving as their backdrop, the class is an excellent example of St. Mary’s students striving for excellence in the fine arts.
As of now, two students from the film class, Natalie Groce (St. Mary’s ’06, Emerson ’10) and Maddie Standish are or will be majoring in film production in college. Also, four current students, Maddie Standish ‘07, Claire Stolowitz ‘07, Stella Byrne ‘08 and Molly Courtney ‘07, interned at Film Action Oregon over the summer, which prides itself on educating emerging young artists about filmmaking. Maddie Standish and Stella Byrne worked at Project Youth Doc through Film Action Oregon, and Claire Stolowitz and Molly Courtney helped with the filming of The Hollywood Theatre’s 80th Birthday Party. Additionally, Maddie Standish and Kathryne Gargano ‘07 interned with filmmaker Beth Harrington, and Malachi Graham ‘08 was a production assistant on the locally filmed Diane Lane vehicle, Untraceable.
Last year, 15 SMA students got an incredible opportunity to break into the typically male-dominated world of filmmaking. Theatre director Shannon More had been approached by filmmaking advocate Vikki Mee (via Principal Patricia Barr) about creating a female production program. With the generous support of Film Action Oregon, the St. Mary’s filmmaking class--a credited co-curricular, all-female driven class taught by three instructors (More, independent filmmaker Dawn Smallman, and Hollywood Theatre summer instructor Alyson Miller)--brought the 15 students together as they learned about documentary filmmaking and all its intricacies. The program culminated May 10, 2006, with the premiere of four documentaries, Rock-Step!, Leaps and Bounds, Steel Strings and Doodlesacks, and At the Door.
When asked why she thinks that the film program has been such a success at St. Mary’s, Ellen Bergstone Beer, executive director of Film Action Oregon, says, “It’s an amazing community of intelligent and determined young women at St. Mary’s. Combine that with some incredible teachers and you have a formula for academic and artistic success.”
This year 16 SMA students produced five equally compelling films. “During our documentary classes, I’ve been continually impressed with the level of interest the students bring to their film work,” says local independent filmmaker Dawn Smallman. “It’s obvious that St. Mary’s has encouraged a culture of interest in the world both inside and outside of the school environment.” They will debut their five original documentaries on Tuesday, April 24th, at 7:30pm, at the Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213.
The Films:
Clown House- Cassandra McCann ‘07, Ashleigh Pascal ‘09, Brigid Bello ‘08, and Grace O’Malley ’08
“Everything you ever wanted to know about the Clown House on Alberta Street, but were afraid to ask.”
The Voodoo Venture- Maddie Standish ‘07, Alyssa Bonini ‘07, Marina Capizzi ‘09, and Amelia Ralston ‘10
A film about the infamous donut shop in SE Portland
My Palestine Year- Kathryne Gargano ‘07 and Mac Reid ’07
The experiences of a high school girl spending a year in Palestine
Making Books- Hailey Bachrach ‘08, Malachi Graham ‘08, and Carson Whitelemons ‘08
National Novel Writing Month and the challenge put forth to write a 50,000 word (175 pages) novel in 30 days
Adams/Whitaker: A Short Story- Stella Byrne ‘08, Claire Stolowitz ‘07, and Biz Pederson ‘09
The story of how John Adams High School became Whitaker Middle School, and what forced the school to be shut down and ultimately demolished.
“I am so grateful to be able to support this program at SMA and be involved with such a luminous and creative group of young women,” says Vikki Mee, a Portland-based filmmaking advocate, “I know there will be more great stories emerging over the next few years.”
Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by its development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools awards.
