Community Corner

Whiz Kids: These Five, Funny Filmmakers Won First Place in a County Wide Video Contest

The group won $500 (for Maine West High School, sorry kids) for their hilarious video about distracted driving.

Anders Gutafson, Adrian Paladin, Jack Schalke, Luis Gonzalez and Sarah Brooks

  • Whiz Kids' Age: This hilarious bunch cracked us up so much we forgot to ask.
  • Whiz Kids' School: Maine West High School
  • Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: These five filmmakers won first place in the "Heads Up Video Challenge" sponsored by the Cook County Sherrif's Office for their film Xtreme Distracted Driving. The film shows each teen doing ridiculous things while driving, such as preparing a meal and folding laundry. The point being that anything that distracts a person while driving, such as talking on a cell phone, is just as dangerous as playing the guitar (seriously, wait until you see it). The students won $500 towards supporting safe driving initiatives at Maine West High School.
  • Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness: If they don't make it as filmmakers they can always form an improv comedy troupe. These five friends, who exchange quips with one another like family, have been making films together for some time now, including the How to Have a Pie Fight and an ill-fated attempt at an Inception remake, "we couldn't figure out how to make Luis hang upside down," said Schalke. Next up for the group is a satirical film for their Advanced TV and Film class (Brooks and Gonzalez are not in the class). It's supposed to be a promotional-type video as in "Come to our school! It's awesome!," but as Gustafson pointed out, "we couldn't think of anything to promote," so they decided to produce a satire of promotional videos. The group said they will continue to make films together for class as well as for fun, "we're not stopping anytime soon," said Gustafson. In the future Gustafson is thinking about a career as a director, Schalke and Brooks are thinking about acting (Brooks is interested in Photography as well), Gonzalez wants to major in music, ("He can score the films," Gustafson said) and Paladin hopes to have a career in law enforcement. Do these kids have anything to say in regard to what makes them awesome? "Always have fun and never give up," said Schalke. "Um...I said that to be cheeesy. I wasn't serious." 
 

Know of a Whiz Kid? Send us your suggestion by telling us in the comments, or e-mail lisao@patch.com.

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