EDUCATION

Motivating the Next Generation of FILMMAKERS

On the air with BEN-TV

By Diana Schwaeble

On a recent afternoon, I observed an advanced Student Film class led by James Pondillo, head of the Media Department at Bayonne High School. Created three years ago, the course is composed mostly of juniors and seniors.

The students, many of whom are planning to continue studying fi lm in college, were brainstorming on how to capture certain shots. Pondillo explained the technical aspect of shooting a scene with a green screen, but emphasized that when you’re layering it into another scene, the lighting has to match, or it will look fake.

Four programs include three that are production based. Some schools don’t offer fi lm production as an elective, let alone quality equipment, says senior Daniele Yohannan.

When Pondillo took over the department fi ve years ago, he applied for grants to update the equipment. Computers are loaded with Adobe Premiere Pro, the cameras are high defi nition, and the school has a television production studio.

“We have the ability to use editing software, microphones, and other equipment to build skills,” Yohannan says. “In all three years that I have been taking fi lm production classes, I have done nothing but reach higher, and the results have surprised me.”

FESTIVAL FEATS

Yohannan has won a number of festival awards. Pondillo says, “My directive was, why don’t we start entering these festivals to see how we’re doing, you know? We started that about three years ago, and we’ve won many awards.” Each fi lm is under 10 minutes. The fi lms are narrative or experimental. BHS students have won in the Ramapo College Film Festival, School Award 2019; Kent Place Film Festival, Best Cinematography 2018 and Best Film 2017; and Black Maria Film Festival, Third Place and Honorable Mention 2018, among others.

“The most advanced kids, the seniors, have to plan, cast, and shoot all their senior fi lms, which takes substantial time to do,” Pondillo says. “They’re working on fi lms for a couple of months at a time.”

Recently, Yohannan put in a long day shooting footage for Alvin Ailey. “She got on a bus with the dancers at 8 a.m.,” Pondillo says. “The show isn’t until 7 p.m. She’s going to do a 14- 15-hour day just to get it recorded. Then she’ll edit it and give to me to put on TV.” Mr. James Pondilla

Franklyn Plasencia

Yohannan plans to continue fi lm studies at Savannah College of Art and Design and hopes to earn a Master’s degree in Fine Arts for TV and Film Production. Her suspenseful short “The Bell” recently aired on BEN-TV. Though she’s not sure what job in the industry she might have, she’s gained confi dence from her classes at BHS, where she learned there’s strength in teamwork.

FILM FIENDS

Each class is 40 minutes, so students interested in fi lm are looking at hours of work outside the classroom. The BENTV program was launched in 2001 as a public operation, but changed into a curricular course. BEN-TV is a 24-hour channel that airs on You Tube. “The sporting events and district events are technically under my BEN-TV Club,” Pondillo says. “These students want to be more hands on. They volunteer to cover all these district events.”

Pondillo oversees all the productions. Though technically the students could broadcast some things live, Pondillo says that everything is reviewed and edited to make sure it is broadcastready. New students taking an intro class also get involved. Pondillo teaches an intro to digital fi lmmaking and an intro to studio class that focus on television production. He gives practical lessons in camera operation, and all the students get involved in making a commercial for BHS. “They pick something, a club or a class or a program,” Pondillo says, “and they have to do a short commercial.”

FUTURE FILMMAKERS OF AMERICA

Not all high school students know what career path they plan to take, but one thing’s certain, almost every job requires media skills, through branding, social media, or websites. The ability to tell a compelling story is a life skill. Job seekers need it during interviews, advertising folks need it to sell products, and social media users need it to grab attention.

Pondillo joked that some of his students might take a fi lmmaking class because it sounds better than accounting

But, he says, “By senior year you can really see where some of these kids are going. Some are great editors. Some are better at fi lming just because they’re putting in the hours. They’re watching tutorials, they’re asking me questions.”

Before students proceed with an idea he tells them to ask two questions: “Can I do this? Is it worth doing?”

It’s clear, watching these kids, that the answer to both questions is a resounding yes.—BLP

Jack Engdall

Gracey Boutrus (L) Nina Hojnacki (R)

Arlana Velez

Julia Gordon, Daniele Yohannan, Ione Casias

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Born in Krakow, Poland, Bozena’s journey as the owner of the European Day Spa and Salon began in June of 1992. As a newcomer to Bayonne, she arrived from Poland shortly after graduating from college and the Parisian Skin Care Academy in 1989. Bayonne always held a great appeal to her as a vibrant city to live and work.

Her business beginnings were very humble, being a one-woman show for the first few years. After learning the ropes of the business and building clientele, her business grew, and she soon realized that she needed to expand. She then started to open a full-service Day Spa. In 1999 her dreams became a reality. With the help of loans targeted for Women in Business, personal investments, as well as guidance provided by the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, Bozena was able to start and create an eight-treatment room, full service day spa.

In just a few years, with her staff expanded to 20, Bozena needed to expand again. In 2006, she was able to purchase a building on Broadway in Bayonne and expand her services to include a hair salon. European Day Spa and Salon was born. Today, European Day Spa and Salon employs more than 20 stylists, nail techs, massage therapists, estheticians. and a wonderful support staff.

Bozena is proud to give back to the community that embraced her, by supporting a number of local charities, schools and organizations. She served as treasurer of The Bayonne Town Center and was honored as Business Person of the Year by the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, mirroring the success of Bayonne, she opened a second location in Bernardsville, New Jersey, employing a staff of 10.

Over the years, Bozena has served as a consultant and educator to several skin care companies such as Tuttestetica, Derm28 and DPC, traveling to Italy, France, Hong Kong and China.

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