Young filmmakers reel story

Lights. Camera. Action!

Ten San Diego County high school students were given the opportunity this summer to showcase their filmmaking abilities as a part of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation’s free annual internship.

Anthony Anglin Jr. of High Tech High Chula Vista was the only South Bay student selected for this year’s Reel Voices program for aspiring filmmakers. Anthony, 16, will work with nine other students for 12 weeks, learning about filmmaking from professionals. Ultimately they will create their own short documentary that will screen at this year’s 12th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival in October.

The internship began June 18.

Reel Voices director Mike Watson has been with the program six years.

“Eight years ago we set out to help high school students make films,” he said. “Now many students can shoot video so each year our goal becomes to help them tell better stories — comprehensive and compelling.”

Marketing and publicity director Daniel Matthews said the idea behind the internship is to inspire film students and prepare them for future endeavors.

“We felt that the youth didn’t have an outlet for film where they can be educated and create their own with professionals who are in the industry,” he said.

In reviewing applications, Watson said Anthony stood out because of his critical analysis in film.

“He sees a deeper aspect,” Watson said. “We thought he was capable to produce a film that would inspire change.”

Matthews said applicants were selected based on storytelling ability.

“Reel Voices provides an amazing opportunity for local students to tell their story,” Matthews said.

Anthony will be a senior this fall at High Tech High and said he’s only been into filming for the past three or four months, an interest that stemmed from years of photography.

“I’ve always liked movies,” Anthony said.

He said that when he began editing photos, he found that he could do video as well and began filming and editing. Two of his favorite movies are “Good Will Hunting” and “Pulp Fiction.”

During the internship, students learn videography and editing using professional equipment and experience all stages of production and post-production.

“In the future I’d like to make a fictional action movie, with conflict, like something that (Quentin) Tarantino made,” Anthony said.

“I think he makes really good action movies like “Kill Bill” and “Inglorious Basterds” that have good actors, fight scenes and story lines.”

Watson said they help prepare students to become socially-conscious storytellers.

“It means you’re proud to show it to the world and have done justice to the subject,” he said. “You’ve been honest and brought things to light.”

Watson said many of the students who have gone through the Reel Voices internship program have produced screened films at film festivals around the country, including the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and National Film Festival for Talented Youth in Seattle. In addition, some students have gone on to win a prestigious Innovative Video in Education award.

“We believe the telling of stories connects people throughout time,” Watson said.

Anthony said he is inspired by people who started in one career and branched off into others.

“I’m kind of taking this to see if I can do this as a career,” he said. “The internship is a great opportunity. I’m ready to put forth my effort and do the best I can.”

Each student will receive a monetary scholarship of about $500.

The San Diego Asian Film Foundation aims to connect people through Pan Asian media arts. The internship is held at the foundation’s office in Point Loma.