The following students have been named as nominees for the 2017 Artist of the Year in film. We received 27 nominations from teachers at Orange County high schools.
The nominees are listed with their school name, the jobs they perform in the film making process and the types of film they create. We have not included links to students’ films because some film festivals, into which the students may submit their films, request that the films not be posted online.
The Top 10 nominees for film will be announced online on Apr. 7 and in print on Apr. 9.
Sidney Barney, director, producer, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films.
“Sidney is able to capture many styles but I think that she really excels in showing the surreal nature of things. She is not afraid to linger on an image to find its core.” – Brian Devaney, San Juan Hills High School
Alex Beall, director, editor. Creates short/feature films.
“Alex has a eye for the new and unique. He constantly is watching movies from new and up-and-coming directors to influence his own style of film making.” – Corey Lindabury, Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Thúy Bercher, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films, non-fiction/documentary films, 2D and 3D animation.
“Thuy’s empathy shows in her work. She really wants to help people and make a positive impact. While other students I’ve had are focused on making cool and interesting things, Thuy focuses on sharing information.” – Michael Simmons, Huntington Beach High School
Joshua Chung, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“The great thing about his work is that he knows how to use modern editing tools to enhance his story, not replace it. He never sacrifices character and story for the spectacle of a great effect.” – Jim Falletta, Troy High School
Faraz Fazl, director, producer, editor. Creates short/feature films.
“Faraz is intensely curious about the video production process and pushes me as a teacher to match his intensity and as a result the entire class benefits from his enthusiasm.” – Jon Ohnstad, Aliso Niguel High School
Caleb Garrett, director, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films.
“Caleb is the best cinematographer that I have had at El Dorado. I say that sort of reluctantly, because I don’t want him to be undervalued as a director or producer of films, which he also is excellent at, but his eye for lighting and cinematography is exceptional.” – Mark Switzer, El Dorado High School
Seungjae Eric Han, director, producer. Creates short/feature films.
“Eric tells a story that draws the viewer in and then surprise the viewer with twists that are interesting and compelling.” – James Whitson, Crean Lutheran High School
Claire Imler, director, producer, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Claire is talented in all aspects of film making. She has a vision to tell stories through images.” – David Baker, Woodbridge High School
Hyo Brian Kim, director. Creates short/feature films, 2D and 3D animation.
“Hyo Brian strives to create highly visual films that seem grounded in reality. His art is a heightened reality, in which characters subscribe to the ‘less is more’ ideal.” – Chris Perdue, Arnold O. Beckman High School
Kyle Kim, director, cinematographer, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films.
“Kyle has vision. He has passion. He has the ability to direct people in a positive light and to steal the performances he needs from his actors (even if they are not initially ready to give him those).” – Jim Falletta, Troy High Schoool
Sarah Ko, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Sarah is a gifted storyteller who uses her life experiences to share stories mostly about those who are underrepresented in many aspects of society. In these challenging times, her vision for an informed and inclusive society becomes even more relevant and imperative.” – Nicki Yokota, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Rita Konopasky, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films.
“Rita is a strong dramatic and comedic actress. Because she is the screenwriter for her films, she is acutely aware of the actor’s process and that she is writing for actors. She strives to create dialogue that is honest and realistic.” – Cheryl Des Palmes, Tesoro High School
Britney Lee, director, producer, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“She is an exemplary student who burns to communicate her stories in film. I know her stories will grace the landscape of our country’s film future.” – Vicki K. Mull, El Modena High School
Jackie Lee, director, producer, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Jackie is truly an original artist. Her innate understanding of the human condition and her ability to communicate her vision has led to much success.” – Chris Perdue, Arnold O. Beckman High School
Soorim Lee, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, screenwriter. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Soorim loves telling stories about the human condition. Her characters are inquisitors and observers. They are often on the edge of a great discovery or life change. Her point of view is optimistic and her exploration of her characters is honest and rigorous but ultimately compassionate.” – Aaron Orullian, Orange County School of the Arts
Ryan Livesay, director, editor, cinematographer, animator. Creates 2D animation.
“He is a scholar artist who has engaged in all the arts that are offered to him. He sets an example that it’s never too late to get involved and try a new form of art. He has the spirit of adventure and risk taking in his animated film work and his new found love of improv and musical theater.” – Kathy Harris, Mission Viejo High School
Melanie Martinez-Fox, producer, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Melanie is just now discovering her own voice as an artist. Her cinematography isn’t flashy, it stays out of the way as not to draw attention away from the story.” – Ryan Hayes, Edison High School
Kyle Reed, editor. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“As an editor, Kyle shares my appreciation for economy, which is really refreshing in a high school student. What I mean is that high school editors often put EVERYTHING into their edits. Kyle understands that an editor should be economical and that what you edit out is just as important as what you leave in.” – Mark Switzer, El Dorado High School
Kaila Sahagun, director, editor, cinematographer, screenwriter, production design. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Kaila’s films are often about family and relationships. She is good at incorporating aspects of her own life – divorce, loss of a grandparent, sibling rivalry, proving yourself to your parents – in her own stories.” – Mark Switzer, El Dorado High School
Jaxon Schriever, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, visual effects. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“His work visually always stands out. He knows how to endow the worlds of his films with just the right magical light to make them seem like the places of our dreams or landscapes where wish we could live.” – Aaron Orullian, Orange County School of the Arts
Cassidy Stewart, director. Creates short/feature films.
“Cassidy works well with others, and always tries her hardest to get quality performances out of her cast. She enjoys character driven pieces.” – Todd Sautner, Trabuco Hills High School
Jessica Stossel, director, producer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“When Jessica writes, her ideas speak to simple human truths. She sees the importance in reflecting and honoring the human experience. She seems to notice those minute, fleeting moments in life that have great impact on people and tends to dramatize those moments in beautiful ways.” – Chris Perdue, Arnold O. Beckman High School
Donavyn Suffel, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films.
“Donavyn is first and foremost a storyteller. He wants to tell stories through film and to that end he sees a project through from the vision, to the creation of the team, to the treatment, and then implementation.” – Vicki Mull, El Modena High School
Kellsey Tamaru, director, producer, editor, animator. Creates 2D animation.
“I love Kellsey’s work. It’s cartoonish and stylized but has a world view that is beyond her years. There is a sophistication in what she creates and the stories that she tells.” – Patrick Williams, Orange County School of the Arts
Jade Trazo, director, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films and non-fiction/documentary films.
“Jade has a photographer’s eye, combined with an appreciation for camera movement. She’s great at location scouting. She notices details which she uses to both avoid production problems while also enhancing visual storytelling.” – Michael Simmons, Huntington Beach High School
Kelechi Ukah, director, editor, cinematographer. Creates short/feature films.
“Kelechi seeks out deep, transcendental moments in his art, and works hard to communicate his emotions to others in creative, thoughtful ways.” – Todd Sautner, Trabuco Hills High School
Xavier Williams, director, producer. Creates short/feature films, non-fiction/documentary films and 2D animation.
“Xavier’s vision is everyone’s vision. He is crucial to the film making process.” – Vicki K Mull, El Modena High School
Contact the writer: 714-796-2258 or varsityarts@ocregister.com
