‘Genesis’ takes top prize at movie awards

More than 150 people attended the high school’s first Boulder City Movie Awards ceremony April 11 that saw a group of four students combine to win the top prize for Best Picture. The top prize went to “Genesis,” a film about a foster child looking for her real father. It edged out the two more humorous competitors: “Date Cycle” and “Science Camp.”

“Genesis” was created by Aiyana Donske, Danielle Cummings, Austin Donnelly and Heidi Petersen.

“It was surreal for what it was,” said Donske, who also played the lead role in the movie. “I was preparing myself to hear another movie’s title and clap encouragingly for that group, but hearing ‘Genesis’ propelled me into a dreamlike atmosphere.”

Donske, who also won Best Screenplay for “Genesis,” said she enjoyed the experience.

“Creating and piecing the film together took over my life, as well as the other group members’ lives, for a stressful two months. As much as it was stressful to meet the extended deadline, it was one of the most exhilarating, inspiring, and thrilling experiences I have ever been a part of. Making ‘Genesis’ has motivated me to continue crafting films and, hopefully, one day be a part of the Hollywood scene.”

The BCMA’s featured two seniors as emcees: Christian Frost, who has starred in several school plays, and Emilia Oscilowicz, who had previously hosted a school assembly.

“Both Christian and I had some experience in hosting events, so we were both prepared for the unexpected,” Oscilowicz said. “At times we had to improvise, but Christian was absolutely hilarious and I went along with it. It ended really well.”

The BCMA idea was born out of a class project last November for teacher Canaan Petersen, who teaches American history and music and film studies at the school. But it received a big endorsement from Principal Kent Roberts.

“The inaugural BCMA show was a little bit of magic,” Roberts said. “The entire evening was fun for everyone and we were able to celebrate what education is really all about at its core: imagination, creativity, dedication and persistence to team work.

“It was one of the most memorable events of my educational career.”

In the music video category, “Good Time,” “Threw it on the Ground” and “Gangnam Style” were all shown, with “Gangnam Style” reinterpretation claiming the top prize. It was made by Frost, Donske, Amy Pellouchoud, Julie Sargeant, Kaylee Domzalski, Victoria Rinella and Xin Yao.

The other winners are:

Best Director — Pellouchoud for “Science Camp.”

Best Sound — Domzalski and Grant Runion for “Date Cycle.”

Best Effects — Taylor Finn for “The Denial.”

Best Cinematography — Pellouchoud for “Science Camp.”

Best Editing — Domzalski for “Date Cycle.”

All the entries can be viewed at YouTube by searching “2013MrP.”