First of all, in the spirit of full disclosure, director Nick Terry is a student of mine at Mountlake Terrace High School. However, as a film instructor and as somebody who's critical of amateurish productions, I can assure you that this film is a remarkable debut effort by Nick and his crew of young filmmakers.
And don't just take my word for it. "Senior Prom" is an official selection of the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival - no small feat for an 80-minute student-produced feature film. While there is much that could be improved on in terms of the fundamental technical aspects of the production (consistent audio and lighting, for example), some of these "flaws" actually enhance the mockumentary feel of the film. Still, there are a couple of times where these shortcomings detract.
Yet, this is a wonderfully entertaining movie. Remarkably, Terry has gathered together a young cast who is exceedingly adept at improvising and inhabiting "Senior Prom's" characters in an authentic way. Much credit, too, goes to Terry for his script and directing because there are wonderful payoffs that could emerge only from well-conceived writing, directing and editing.
Finally, I appreciate the tone that Terry takes with his subject. This is an honest, and at times painful, account of the experiences of a typical high schooler's senior year. For American audiences - young and old - the characters will seem familiar and the conflicts will ring true. And that's the point. Terry has allowed us to revisit the familiar in order to see it anew.
Keep an eye on this young director!
And don't just take my word for it. "Senior Prom" is an official selection of the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival - no small feat for an 80-minute student-produced feature film. While there is much that could be improved on in terms of the fundamental technical aspects of the production (consistent audio and lighting, for example), some of these "flaws" actually enhance the mockumentary feel of the film. Still, there are a couple of times where these shortcomings detract.
Yet, this is a wonderfully entertaining movie. Remarkably, Terry has gathered together a young cast who is exceedingly adept at improvising and inhabiting "Senior Prom's" characters in an authentic way. Much credit, too, goes to Terry for his script and directing because there are wonderful payoffs that could emerge only from well-conceived writing, directing and editing.
Finally, I appreciate the tone that Terry takes with his subject. This is an honest, and at times painful, account of the experiences of a typical high schooler's senior year. For American audiences - young and old - the characters will seem familiar and the conflicts will ring true. And that's the point. Terry has allowed us to revisit the familiar in order to see it anew.
Keep an eye on this young director!
