Students capture Sedro-Woolley in documentary

Sedro-Woolley High School students will attempt to reel in snapshots of their community beginning this summer.

The film students’ work could culminate in a full-length documentary with a 5-minute trailer, said Steve McCartt, the high school’s visual communications teacher.

More than a dozen students will shoot footage for the project and continue filming throughout the year, with hopes to have a completed documentary by spring 2009.

Several students have video experience, including Johnny Janicki, an incoming senior at the high school.

“It’s a lot different making a documentary than random videos,” Janicki said.

Planning for the film is in the preliminary stage, McCartt said. Students are still devising an angle for the film and are determining each participants’ role with the project.

The film is meant to show a different side to Sedro-Woolley, said Kara Birdsell, an incoming senior.

Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about the community they live in, said Taylor Pedroza, another incoming senior.

Most of the city’s events will be filmed and a variety of long-time and recent community members will be interviewed, McCartt said.

Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and long-time resident David Bricka said he thinks the project is a great way to bring the community together and see how smart and talented its students are.

The documentary will show that students are in tune with their city and its history, he said.

“I’m just really excited that they’re pursuing this and utilizing technology and really learning and documenting — which is a real amazing thing,” Bricka said.

He said he envisions embedding the film on the chamber’s Web site so viewers can gain a sense of the community and see the students’ work.

The project will give students the experience and lessons of what it takes to make a documentary, McCartt said. Students need to understand the lighting, sound and other techniques involved with filmmaking, including how much time it actually takes to produce one, he said.

Several students working on the project plan to pursue film making after high school.

“I’m excited to see what comes of this,” McCartt said. “I think (Sedro-Woolley) is the best kept secret in Skagit Valley.”