Entertainment

Student film debuts online

“The Adventures of Mister Perfect” features an all-student cast and crew

Kayla Rubenstein | Online Editor-in-Chief pl226461@ahschool.com

For some, scribblings in a notebook remain thoughts jotted down. But for senior Bella Ramirez, these blurbs became the script to the student-run lm “The Adventures of Mister Perfect and Friends.” Ramirez rst began playing around with the character concepts in eighth grade, but decided to table the idea a er realizing the magnitude of time and resources it would take to bring thoughts to reality. “[The movie] just sort of took a back burner. And I was like, oh, I’m not prepared. However, when MSD happened, it changed a lot for me. Life is really short,” Ramirez said. By Winter Break 2018, Ramirez nished the rst dra of the script and spent the next six months casting, recruiting and rewriting the script. Ramirez nalized everything by June 2019, lming two weeks from the end of July going into August. During the pandemic, the crew worked on marketing and getting the word out, preparing for the premiere Jan. 4, 2021.

“I just decided; let’s do it.

Throughout the process, Ramirez learned how to manage herself and others.

“I have to say the hardest part was kind of like being my own boss, because it was all student-produced,” Ramirez said. “I had so many other responsibilities, and things like texting over 30 people to make sure they’re getting their assignments in was hard on top of schoolwork and other projects and responsibilities. Keeping them accountable and then keeping myself accountable to release this and getting everything done was de nitely really di cult.”

Despite the challenge, Ramirez considers the familial environment one of the best parts of the project.

“There are so many best parts, but I have to say my favorite is [that we became] like a family,” Ramirez said. “Before quarantine happened, when all the editing was getting done, we had a little party, and we had an ice skating event and a whole week of fun activities. Even a er, we still check up on each other.”

Ramirez acts in many roles, including director, producer, co-writer with senior John Eastep, co-editor and marketing manager. She also helped fund the movie, asking for donations instead of traditional gi s for her sixteenth birthday.

“The Adventures of Mister Perfect and Friends” is more than a student production; it’s also a charity lm, with proceeds going to Project Alive.

“When I started working on the actual movie, the rst thing that I was thinking about was a synthesis superhero movie. I feel like it’s important to make it meta in the sense that if you’re watching it, you’re a superhero,” Ramirez said. “I’ve watched a million superhero movies. And

I’m always sitting a er like, ‘how can I be the hero, too?’ It was an important thing to do, making an immersive experience with the audience, where they become heroes by watching the movie.”

The lm board, Ramirez, Eastep, senior Irene Newman and alumni Jeremiah

Bang and Brandon Woods, unanimously “ decided on donating any pro ts to Project Alive. It feels so good [to have the movie out]. I was really scared to release it just because it was so many years in the making, with all of our hard work and time and everything.

To watch the movie, check out tampaf.com.

IDEA TO REALITY: Ramirez rst began writing the script in eighth grade, drawing inspiration from the people around her for

the characters. (Photo submitted/Bella Ramirez)

Kayla Giset | Sta Writer pl237191@ahschool.com

With a drive to create and her violin in-hand, sophomore Annabelle Shen uses music as an outlet to express her emotions and bring about light in times of darkness. “I started playing because my mother [took] my brother and me to violin classes. I started liking it more in sixth grade from solo and ensemble. I got a ne arts scholarship; that’s what is keeping me going these days.” Utilizing the many courses that Heritage has to o er, Shen nds that music helps her break up the stressful school day. Considering the rigorous honors classes that she takes every semester, instruments like the violin and piano are outlets that allow Annabelle to express herself.

“I take some of the electives o ered as well as some of the competitions or events within those classes, and I also did pit rehearsals for Oklahoma last year,” Shen said. “I would say getting into All-State Orchestra last year and this year would “ be the achievement I am most proud of.” I like to practice even just for a bit on the weekends. It’s a good way to de-stress when I feel overwhelmed with studying. As well as an interest in biology, Annabelle has a love for helping the less fortunate through both the medical eld “I like that there are many electives that I can choose from. I take orchestra every year, but I took piano last year in addition to that and music theory this year. With all the diverse arts classes that Heritage has to o er and the many instruments she knows how to play, and music; she believes that a musical note to the ear is just as in uential as medicine to the human body. As the pandemic continues to loom over students across the country, mental health issues have been prevalent. This is why Shen uses her music practice time as a way to let loose and relax. To all the aspiring musicians out there, Annabelle feels that if one has a passion for anything at all, they shouldn’t stop at anything to achieve it. She believes Annabelle nds pleasure speci cally hard work will always pay o . As Shen with violin. She not only nds joy in ventures into her nal years of high school, performing for others, but also in the she hopes to continue on her path with rush of competition, as it creates a sense violin competitions, making memories of excitement that Shen cannot resist. and wonderful music along the way.

VIOLIN VIRTUOSO: Sophomore violinist Annabelle Shen kicks o the All-State Orchestra competition with a bang as she performs her rst

piece of the day. (Photo submitted/Annabelle Shen)

ALL STATE VICTORY: Shen (le ) along with seven of her classmates compete in the

Florida All-State. (Photo submitted/Annabelle Shen)

An Open Mic night to remember

Zoe Persaud| Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

With newfound time and space for artists in quarantine, some students used time to tap into their artistic side. Seniors Jacob Reese Thornton and Daniela Prieto speci cally used their time for songwriting and music production. Thornton already had experience with professionally releasing music from a few singles in 2019 and his 2018 album “Di erent Times.” Over quarantine, he spent his time releasing “Traces” and “Ground Rush” professionally, as well as a few covers on YouTube to keep up with marketing. Although Thornton tried to use free time to continue working professionally, others, like Prieto, began experimenting with professional releases. A er years of songwriting in private, Prieto decided at the start of quarantine to reach out to a music producer she met at the music festival, Havana 1957 during her freshman year. “I still had their contact information, thinking like they didn’t remember me at all, because that was like three years ago,” Prieto said. “I’m very grateful that I still communicate with him and like I’m able to go to the studio and all that stu , like with all the precautions.” Prieto describes her time during quarantine as a great opportunity to grow more in her cra and even evolve through genres. At the start of quarantine, she tried out traditional Latin pop and released “Plantada.” Now, she feels more inspired by Soul and R&B with artists like JP Cooper and James Styles. Although she is still working with the people she produced “Plantada” with, Prieto also branched out by creating her rst professional music video. A er recording “Plantada,” she DM’d someone her mom knew who created music videos on Instagram. He ended up responding to her DM within the day and decided to help her create the video. “I’m really happy because it was like my rst big, like, big accomplishment in what I love,” Prieto said.

Adapting to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, National English Honor Society (NEHS) and Dead Poets Society (DPS) held their rst Open Mic Night of the year. The event took place over Zoom Jan. 29 and allowed students to submit videos of poetry recitation, presentation of original works, musical performances and any other show of creative talent they chose to share. Besides the student exhibits, the clubs also provided opportunities to participate in The Shakespeare Monologue competition, involving dramatic renditions of monologues from the works of Shakespeare such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Poetry Out Loud, involving recitation of notable poems to encourage public speaking and study of literature.

The rest of the night consisted of discussion of literary topics and exchange of project ideas and plans. Attendees shared books or poetry they enjoyed while others explained their current works in progress. “It was like a more intimate NEHS or DPS meeting. It was really enjoyable and not only fun if you enjoy just English or literature based stu ,” said DPS president senior Emily Anderson. “If anyone is interested in sharing their ideas on any topic or would like to merge their passions with literary art, DPS is always welcoming new members.”

Songwriters of quarantine

Bella Ramirez| Editor-in-Chief pl237961@ahschool.com

(Graphic/Nithisha Makesh)

STILL STANDING: Senior Daniela Prieto’s works are led under Spotify artist, “Dani Prieto.” “Plantatda her only released song with a music video, follows the story of someone being

stood up. (Photo/Bella Ramirez)