CHS students garner 4 awards at Hock Film Fest
By Guest
Canton High film crew (l-r): Ben Wiseman, Daniel Sheehy, Joseph Sabatino and Zach Levenson (Photo by Ed McDonough)
By Ben Wiseman
It was a big weekend for Canton High School’s student filmmakers as four CHS entries were honored at the Hockomock Film Festival’s annual award ceremony, held on May 12 at Stonehill College.
Placing first in the Public Service Announcements category was Ben Wiseman for his “Dance Don’t Chance” PSA. CHS senior Zach Levenson was a key production assistant, and Daniel Sheehy was the cinematographer. The PSA featured CHS students Jessie Brooks, Elias Camacho, Mellyn Costello, Mike Foley, Conor O’Brien, Lauren Oldenburg, Kaitlin Philips, Chiara Thompson, Stephen Thornton, Wiseman, and Tim Zoidis.
The objective of the video was to promote safe driving habits for prom season. It is posted on the YouTube channel “2012 DanceDon’tChance” and can also be found via search under the heading “Canton High School – Don’t Chance.”
Levenson also produced three different projects that won awards at the festival. He took third place for his music video “The One That Got Away,” featuring himself, Dan Mullaley, and Iryna Zhovnirchyk. Levenson wrote, directed and edited the video — which presents a comical look at a young man fishing for a girlfriend — and also wrote the music. See it at vimeo.com/32116187.
Levenson also received a third place for his anti-bullying PSA, inspired by the good work of the Canton wellness department. Its tagline is “Don’t Stand by … Take Action.” It features Tom Delsignore and Tyrone Sutton as bullies who harass Gavin Monagle, who played the role of the victim. Levenson again wrote, directed and edited this production, which can be seen at vimeo.com/38596332.
To wrap up his triple win, Levenon’s capstone senior project, “The Sealing,” took second place in the drama category in what has been called a “photo finish.” The video is a period piece about a young boy who escaped from a death camp during the Holocaust. This ambitious undertaking featured the acting talents of Harry Castleman, Jon Cortizo, Olivia Hayhurst, Kevin O’ Donnell, and Daniel Sweetland.
Levenson wrote the film in the fall of 2011 and worked with co-producers Sheehy and Wiseman to produce it in early 2012. O’Donnell and Joey Sabatino served as additional crew members, focusing as soundman and grip.
Levenson yet again was the writer, director and editor. Used in the production was a self-made crane and track system created by Levenson and his father. “The Sealing” can be seen at vimeo.com/34926913.
Originally started as the Easton Film Festival, the Hockomock Film Festival has grown substantially over the years. Canton students have been very successful at the festival over the past few years, and the CHS film program, headed by Ed McDonough, looks forward to continued success in the future.
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