Intrigue, plot twists, rings with magical powers, trips to Mars, fairies, and a Michael Jackson dance tribute—the action/comedy “The Stolen Ring” had it all. Summit alum Sally Meehan ‘90, led rising 4th-6th graders on a journey from imagination to realization in the Summit Summer camp “Stars of the Silver Screen.”
On the first day, students brainstormed ideas for the storyline and developed a list of characters and who would portray them. They chose costumes and props and scouted locations around campus as they filmed. Ten to 12 scenes were filmed each day and edited that evening by camp assistant Travis Boyd ’06. The edited segments were put together on Thursday and the finished film premiered on Friday. Camp Director Jeff Turner continued his popular tradition of making a cameo appearance in each film.
“We started by discussing what makes a good story, and how it has a clear beginning, middle, and end,” said Sally, a former Summit teacher who has headed the camp for years. She also served as film editor in the early years of the camp. She has since passed on that responsibility to high school students who are alums of the School. Camp assistants have included Nathan Culp ‘06 and Travis’s brothers, Alex ‘04, and Nick Boyd ‘08. “They know what is appropriate,” says Sally. “As former Summit students, I know them and know they will do the right thing.”
Rising 6th grader Chase Hinson has attended the camp for the past three years. A fantasy film buff, Chase has enjoyed getting to know fellow students in the class. “I am always sad when it is over because there has never been a year when I haven’t made new friends,” he says. Former Summit student David Mulder holds the record for attending the most “Stars of the Silver Screen” camps– six. Both he and Chase are also active in local theater productions.
Grant Cain and sister Olivia, students at Meadowlark Middle School, also enjoy making new friends. Grant, who had a lead roll in the film as John Butterfinger, P.I., liked shooting on campus for the past several years as ongoing building demolition and construction has provided great backdrops.
Sally noted that each student brought something special to the camp. Rising fifth grader, Annecy Daggett, put together fabulous costumes and shared her dance skills, as did Olivia and David. Chase turned out to be a talented mimic who can take on any character, human or animal.
Travis, one of 12 alums working in Summit Summer camps this year, had attended a film camp for older students and was glad that Jeff Turner asked him to assist this year. A recent graduate of Forsyth Country Day, he worked on the tech crew for school productions. He is headed to N.C. State University in the fall, where he plans to further his technical skills as a computer science major.
Last week, sixty-eight campers chose from camps that focused on fitness and food, storytelling, digital photography, sports, and girl power. The Fourth of July holiday inspired a Patriotic Party theme for the Eclectic Experience.
On Friday, Martin Tucker’s Digital Photography students displayed beautiful photographs taken on their trip to Old Salem. The show’s title “The Decisive Moment” refers to the skill of snapping a photo at the right time- not half a second too early, or too late, to capture the perfect image. Rising sixth grader Aditi Pilani said she loved learning the rules of photography. Her favorite part was taking photos and creating her own magazine.
2009 Summit Summer camps run through July. For more information on the remaining camps, go to www.summitschool.com/summer
