A clip from behind the scenes showing Meloy holding the microphone, Fernandez holding the clapper, and Graham and Hemmer getting in character for their big scene. Credit: Vimeo.com
Students at CHS on Wednesday, November 19, watched the amazing short movie that was made by the student volunteers and Mike Feurstein, a director and educator of the Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully Project. The video took a whole day to film, not to mention the extra hours of planning and editing that went into the final product. For more information on the Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully Project as a whole (how it started, the founders, and its story), make sure to check out Trip’s story in the CHS Paw Print!
The video made by the roughly ten hardworking students followed the main character, played by senior Lexi Lutton, as she explored a school infested by bullies, victims, and bystanders. She meets the bullies and their victims and has to navigate her way through the complex social standing of her school. The video was directed by junior Grace Hodges and by assistant director Makenna Fritz
The lesson of the video was all about being an upstander- whether for yourself or others. Lutton’s character struggled as she continuously saw the character played by Makenna Fritz being teased by Trip Martin for her clothes. She also witnessed Georgia Hemmer’s character bullying Laila Graham by not letting her open her locker and Micah Meloy making fun of Zoe Caruso for struggling to read. Lutton also has to try to stand up for herself as she is joked about for having to count on her fingers by Adele Esmond.
After days of hardships and classes filled with adversity, Lutton finally decides it’s been enough. She stands up for Fritz, making Martin realize that she did not find his continuous teasing funny and that it instead hurt her feelings. She told a teacher, Mr. Dundas, about Hemmer’s bullying and got him to interfere. As for herself, she got help from her friend, played by Adrian Fernandez, defending herself and got Caruso to sit with her instead of with Meloy.
Ultimately, CHS’s production of the Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully Project showcased the importance of standing up for yourself and others and that being there for people who are hurting helps make a more positive school environment.
