RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Students at Smyrna High School are gearing up to debut their work on the big screen.
Production is underway for the second feature-length film written, cast and directed by students in the school’s Audio/Visual program, according to Rutherford County Schools.
After releasing “The Strings Attached” in the spring of 2024, the new film “REAL” is set to debut in April, school leaders said.
Students lead every aspect of the filmmaking process, from pitching ideas to writing the script, hosting cast auditions, designing the wardrobe and set, filming scenes on location and editing the final cut.
“They pretty much make all the decisions. My approach to the class is that I’m here to facilitate,” said Kyle Dietz, the teacher who heads the AV program.
Between the start of production in November and the film’s premiere in April, the students dedicate an estimated 150 hours outside of class to completing the project, Dietz said.
Dietz has created a real-world experience for students by having crew members fill out applications, complete job interviews and leave the program with IMDb credit, he said.
“They’re coming away with not only the experience, but the actual resume credit that they can carry with them,” Dietz said.
Students from other classes and clubs at the school pitch in to help, too. Theater students make up the cast, fashion students assist with wardrobe design and alterations, digital classes design the movie poster and student hair and makeup artists get the cast camera-ready.
“This film is much more ambitious than what the students did last year,” Dietz said about “REAL.” He said the film will explore the line between technology and humanity. Through main characters Dante and Ben, the movie offers commentary on “what it is to be human” in a world where technological advancements often outpace ethics, according to a release.
The crew is led by junior Gavin Averhoff, who has taken on the role of director after starring in last year’s film. He said he hopes to one day write books, scripts and screenplays, and will take this experience with him in his future work.
“I watch movies almost every single day. So I just take notes from directors I really like. I do want it to be a profession that I go into later on in life,” Averhoff said.
Marquis Martin is the lead actor in “REAL,” and said the class has become his number one priority.
“I just love this. Of course, there are good days and bad days, but the good days overshadow a lot. This is what I want to do,” Martin said.
A two-night red carpet premiere for “REAL” is set for April 22 and 23 at the Smyrna Malco Cinema. Like last year, the film will screen for several weeks at the theater, be broadcast by MTSU then land on Amazon Prime.
Last year, “The Strings Attached” went on to sell out multiple screenings in the weeks that followed, Dietz said.
Click here for more information about the AV program, and here to watch last year’s film on Amazon Prime.
