Quiet on the Set: Authentic Learning in an Authentic Environment

Our school, L.V. Rogers Secondary in beautiful Nelson, BC, is in mid-production of filming the first ever of its kind: a feature length film involving the entire school (students and staff) and members of the local community. The movie has been in production (including pre-production) since September 2010, and filming is scheduled to wrap up in mid-July. A tentative release date has been set for April 2012. And to the unaware Project Turquoise Snowflake (PTS) has been far more of a success than anyone could have ever imagined, including its creator.

PTS writer and director, Robyn Sheppard, is a passionate educator and thespian who has been working on the idea for Project Turquoise Snowflake for over four years. She has successfully melded her love of theatre, film, the environment, and social activism into a project that has even caught the eyes of Vancouver movie equipment company which donated over $220 000 of production equipment. Project Turquoise Snowflake has also received financial backing from generous local philanthropists to help cover the unavoidable costs of production. And, of course, the school and Nelson community are completely onboard.

With over 75% of the cast and crew made up of LVR students you’d often expect well…issues of sorts (motivational issues to be more precise). But my preconceived notions were quickly smashed when I arrived on-location Sunday morning. There they were: sixteen young adults, each one of them springing into action setting up props, hauling lighting and sound gear around, getting wardrobe detail ready, and the make-up stations organized (even the student-actors were hauling lights of the truck–no prima donnas here). But the buzz of activity only happened after hugs and good mornings were shared around.

Nearly ten hours later, I returned to the rural farm location to pick-up the gear for trucking back to LVR only to see the crew wrapping up their final shoot of the day. And once again (and I’m sure Lucas, Spielberg, and Lynch would concur) I was a little stunned with what become a characteristic level of professionalism (there’s that word again) displayed by the young crew members.

Just more darn hugging.

“That’s gonna be some good stuff.”

It should also be noted the last one was asked of me by four different students. Odd as this may sound but the students seemed excited that I was there to witness their efforts. My brief help and simple presence seemed to indicate to them that I acknowledge and support their passion for the project. That I care.


So, I’d like to encourage all of my colleagues on staff to take a half hour out of their busy weekend at some point before filming wraps up next month, and drive out to a shoot location, and…just be. Thirty minutes. That’s all it takes. It truly means a great deal to those young adults.

And you’ll be glad you did.