Lights, Camera…Activism!

We’re back from a full day of activities at NOCCA.  We had initially planned a “New Orleans tour” in the a.m., but we changed that due to the fact that we all needed a more laid back start to our day after yesterday’s adventure.  So … we had a “class” with Mr. Shields here at the hotel from 9-10, then off to NOCCA for a meeting with Vince Morelli.   He directed a film called “Left Behind” (about the New Orleans public school system), and he and a student who appeared in Morelli’s film (Josh) invited our questions.  It was helpful and entertaining, especially the interviews they provided us for our small filmmaking groups.    After lunch nearby, we had an afternoon session with New Orleans filmmaker and film editor Tim Watson, who showed us multiple clips from films he’s made.   His variety of techniques (and subjects) inspired a rich Q & A session.  The NOCCA writing students participated in the class along with us.   Following that, several NOCCA students stayed behind to give us interviews for our filmmaking groups, and we feel lucky to hear directly from these students and their teachers as well as the professional filmmakers who live here.  We had an hour to rest, then at 6:00 p.m. (staying right there at the school) we enjoyed some pizza on the green, followed by another visit from our morning guests — Vince Morelli and Josh.   This time we watched their film “Left Behind” in the school library … that is, we watched all but about 30-40 minutes, when a glitch in the DVD prevented our viewing the rest.   But we’ll catch it later this week.  We arrived back to the Ramada at about 8:00, and all the chaperones agree that the kids are being great with the serious way in which they’re approaching their work and their overall model attitudes regarding food (always good but sometimes arriving late), driving (ummm, occasional lost teacher-drivers) and schedules (very, very full and sometimes starting too early for folks who could otherwise be on vacation).   It’s a tremendous group; we’re lucky.   (Entry by J.  Sheehey)