In a full-day film shoot in The Barn, the Upper School Honors Film class undertook its most ambitious project of the year—a collaborative effort to bring Dean's creative vision to the screen.
In sharp contrast to the archetype of the tortured artist working in solitude, it takes a village to make a movie. Stage Fright is a narrative short film that cleverly deploys the conventions of 1970s horror movies to create a psychologically tense yet comedic perspective on social anxiety. Dean wrote and directed the film while lending his formidable talents as a cinematographer to the project. Alongside him, Film II, III, and IV students served as sound operators, lighting technicians, and camera assistants, and in various pre-production roles. Actors from Sierra Canyon's Performing Arts program helped fill out the frame as background actors, and several parents and guardians provided craft services and logistical support throughout the day.
This student-led production—made possible through the collaborative support of peers, faculty, and families—brought months of planning to fruition. This intensive yet deeply rewarding endeavor celebrated the unique blend of creativity and technical mastery that defines the art of cinema.
Stage Fright will premiere at the Sierra Canyon Film Festival at the United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills on Thursday, April 17. This prestigious event serves as a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with industry professionals. At Sierra Canyon, students are equipped with the tools to refine their skills, push boundaries, and cultivate creativity—preparing them for success both in the classroom and beyond.
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