A high school film program once focused on fundamentals has rapidly transformed into a powerhouse creative studio, with its students now claiming top honors at competitive film festivals against seasoned amateurs and semi-professionals. At Minarets High School, the Minarets Media program has undergone a comprehensive revitalization, shifting its focus from basic theory to hands-on, industry-standard production. This strategic pivot is designed to equip students with the practical skills and creative confidence needed to step directly into the professional world upon graduation. By fostering a collaborative environment where students learn by doing, the program now functions less like a traditional classroom and more like a dynamic production house. This new ethos is underscored by a significant investment in technology and mentorship, creating a fertile ground for young filmmakers to not only learn the craft but also to produce work that garners serious industry recognition, proving that with the right resources and guidance, student potential can translate into award-winning results.
A New Vision and Professional Tools
The catalyst for this transformation is a dual-pronged approach combining expert leadership with cutting-edge technology. The program is now steered by new instructor Matt Sconce, a seasoned writer and director whose professional background includes over 50 short films and four feature films. Sconce brings a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom, instilling a professional mindset summarized by the program’s new motto: “Go big, go pro, go now.” This philosophy is embedded in a curriculum that emphasizes practical application, team-based collaboration, and constructive critique, mirroring the workflow of a professional film set. This vision is powerfully supported by a new partnership with Horn Photo, which has supplied the program with a suite of professional-grade equipment. The updated arsenal includes state-of-the-art cameras and a drone, tools that have vastly expanded the creative and technical scope of student projects. This access to industry-standard gear removes technical limitations, empowering students to translate ambitious creative visions into high-quality cinematic productions.
From Classroom Concepts to Award-Winning Creations
The impact of this revitalized approach has been both immediate and profound, as demonstrated by tangible achievements in the competitive film circuit. A testament to the program’s new caliber is the short film “Reverie,” a project helmed by senior Phillip Solis and his dedicated team. The film recently achieved remarkable success at Horror Fest, securing an impressive six awards, including the festival’s most coveted prize for Best Picture. Solis, a three-year veteran of the media program, noted that the recent changes have been transformative, allowing students to “dream even bigger” and execute their ideas at a level previously unattainable. Building on this success, a strategic plan was implemented to ensure long-term growth by introducing foundational media skills at the middle school level. This forward-thinking initiative was designed to create a pipeline of well-prepared students who could enter the high school program ready to engage with advanced production techniques from day one, solidifying the program’s status as a true creative hub for aspiring young professionals.
