by Vincent Villalobos

Ever seen kids wandering around school carrying video cameras and a long stick with a fuzzy thing at the end (aka a boom mic), and acting goofy? They’re most likely part of Mr. Howell’s TV & Film Editing classes. These classes teach students about film and video production, basic editing skills,, and storytelling skills. Mr. Howell has been teaching this class—introduction, intermediate, and advanced versions—for the past 9 years at Ironwood Ridge High School. He became interested in the topic when h, “started liking magic as a teenager, it grew into a love for special effects, which led me to learning TV production.

This year’s films have included such topics as space, horror, and really anything that you put your mind to. Freshman student Jameson Farnes says, “I like script writing, it makes me feel in control of the film and helps me view the film before we begin production.” He has produced spin-off films to the popular TV franchise, Breaking Bad, and says his favorite part of the process is scriptwriting and editing.

Challenges to making a film include pacing and storytelling. Freshman student Braxton Thompson says, “I really love improving my movies with every assignment, it helps me see the progress of skills in this class.” As the classes progress in difficulty, Mr. Howell says students can expect harder work but a more enjoyable experience in more advanced classes. Ultimately, Mr. Howell’s TV Film class provides students with high-level skills that convert into high-paying jobs while making lots of great friends along the way.