MSG Varsity’s “The Student Lens” Highlights High School Filmmakers from New Rochelle’s Iona Prep

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

BETHPAGE, NY, February 25, 2011–– The Student Lens, MSG Varsity’s monthly series devoted to student-generated content, returns this week with a wide sampling of videos created, produced, written and edited by high school students from across the tri-state area that are innovative, fun and
informative. Hosted by actor and filmmaker Yang Miller, the new episode of The Student Lens debuted on Tuesday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity, Cablevision’s iO TV (Channel 14).

The Student Lens will also re-air on MSG Varsity February 26 at 11:00 a.m. and February 27 at 5:00 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Among the features in the new episode are original productions from students at Bay Shore HS (Bay Shore, NY), Bernards HS (Bernardsville, NJ), Communications HS (Wall, NJ ), Iona Prep (New Rochelle, NY), Roosevelt HS (Roosevelt, NY) St. Dominic (Oyster Bay, NY), Oceanside HS (Oceanside, NY), Pequannock HS (Pequannock, NJ) Sacred Heart Academy (West Hempstead, NY), and West Milford HS (West Milford, NJ).

“There seems to be no shortage of really talented aspiring filmmakers throughout the schools in our area,” said Michael Lardner, Senior Vice President & Executive Producer, MSG Varsity. “We’re proud to be able to provide them with an outlet to showcase their creativity.”

The videos featured on episode five of The Student Lens include:

“Bay Shore High School Marching Band Columbus Day Parade in NYC” – features a close-up look at the Bay Shore (LI) High School’s Marauder Marching Band as it performs at the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.

• “The Un-examined Life” – Director Josh Hogan, also of Bay Shore HS, directed and wrote the musical score for this examination of the beauty that exists in our everyday surroundings.

• “The Impossible Skateboard Trick” – Bernards (NJ) High School students Sam Fickinger and Logan Chernowski produced a video that proves they don’t call it the “Impossible Trick” for
nothing. Don’t attempt this skateboarding trick without supervision.

• “What’s Your Fortune?” – Communications (Wall, NJ) High School producer Andrea Massaro looks for answers to the question of whether our future is dictated by ourselves, our astrological sign or what our fortune cookie tells us. She also finds there’s more to these cookies than a
little flour and sugar.

• “Iona Prep Hungerfest” – Iona (New Rochelle, NY) Prep student Thomas Infurna follows 27 fellow students who decided to find out firsthand what it’s like to be hungry and homeless by sleeping outside and foregoing dinner. The next morning, along with a new perspective on poverty, they
made and delivered sandwiches to the homeless.

• “Aspiring Radio Personality at Oceanside” – Produced by Michelle Purpura, this video profiles Oceanside (LI) High School student and DJ Zachary Feldman who talks about how he got into the business, what it takes to be a good DJ and how he determines what he plays on his popular internet radio program.

• “Pequannock Double Take” – Pequannock (NJ) High School senior Samantha DeVito investigates if there is an upside to a case of mistaken identity with the help of her twin, Deanna DeVito.

• “Conflict Resolutions” – Arguments are bound to happen, and it’s often not an easy to bring together people with opposite points of view. At Roosevelt (LI) High School, writers Aja Fennell, Elaina C. Johnson and director Travis Fair prove that conflicts can be resolved peacefully.

• “Beauty on the Inside PSA:” Why do we all want to look like someone else? Why can’t we be satisfied with who we are? This public service announcement from students at West Hempstead’s Sacred Heart Academy addresses these questions.

• “Freshmen Make Sandwiches for Midnight Run” – St. Dominic (LI) High School’s Ray Rogers follows the freshman class as they make peanut butter sandwiches for runners participating in the New York City Midnight Run to benefit the homeless.

“West Milford High School Skateboarding” – Skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters are turning high school kids into daredevils, and this slickly-edited video from West Milford (NJ) High School students makes them look as good as any professional.

For more information on “The Student Lens,” please go to www.msgvarsity.com.