With all the brilliance of a night out at La Cinémathèque française, the youthful filmmakers of Los Gatos burst forth Monday morning with creativity and verve, taking the red carpet at the Los Gatos Theatre by storm.
Patty McNeil, of Monte Sereno, was one of the parents who showed up to the end-of-summer spectacle for the KCAT Summer Media Camp Film Fest. She was there to see what her 10-year-old daughter Cassidy had been up to.
“Today the campers are sharing their films,” she said, noting Cassidy had originally heard about the movie-making training through a friend who’d enjoyed the experience, last year. “They learned producing, directing and acting.”
This year’s program included such flicks as “Lil’ Old League: Pay Your Taxes,” “Cruel Spies: Potato Sabotage,” and “The Disturbing Dinner Party.”
Cassidy really enjoyed the camp, she noted.
“She was thrilled and learned a lot of new things,” McNeil said.
Emma Erickson, 10, filed in to catch her role in the “Zomburger: The Whoppening” presentation.
Last year, Lyla Strauss, 11, made her mark in “The Ring” and “Dumbkirk: Two Nines.”
She was in “Mafia Madness: Ze Island of Fritz Morder,” this time.
“I just woke up and was like, ’Today is the premiere,’” Lyla said.
Her sister, 7-year-old Remi, was looking forward to the possibility of joining the camp in the future.
Rochelle Greenfield, their grandmother, was looking forward to what would unfold on the silver screen.
Scarlett Rankine, 12, posed for a photo in front of the poster for “Lil’ Old League,” the movie she’s in.
Filming with one of her best friends was a highlight, she said.
Jennifer Sundquist, her mom, said the kids appreciated the weeklong camp.
“It’s been a great creative outlet for her,” she said. “They’ve loved it.”
Harrison Fugit, 12, a Fisher Middle School 7th-grader, was queued up in the lobby, cash-in-hand.
“I’m just getting a snack for the movie,” he said.
Caitlin Foley, 12, who plays an island resident in “Mafia Madness,” found a seat on the far side of the theater.
Filmmaking wasn’t a totally foreign experience for her.
“It kind of reminded me of doing the musical at my school.” she said, referring to the St. Mary’s performance of Aladdin.
Then the festival kicked into gear.
Lines like, “‘Tis I, Potato,” “I might be rotting” and “Long ago, the burritos and the cats lived together in harmony, then everything changed when the cats attacked,” give a sense of the humor and intensity of the productions—which featured more than a few explosions.
Afterwards, Melissa Toren told the Los Gatan she was pleased with how splendidly the event had gone.
“It was a huge success watching grandparents, parents, siblings and friends supporting the accomplishments of our KCAT campers and counselors,” she said. “Campers were elated to see their work on the big screen. This was the culmination of a summer media program that attracts a diverse community—kids who come together to create and express themselves. With no texts, no grades and no stress, kids are uplifted and feel valued. That’s what it’s all about.”
