The movies are short, informational or comedic and sometimes filled with laughter from the children who made them.
Using computers, digital cameras and editing software, members of the Waltham Boys & Girls Club recently became amateur filmmakers for Club Tech.
The digital arts program gives club members a chance to explore a variety of technology-related projects. Local youths also take part in various festivals through Club Tech.
The students mostly filmed in the hallways, gymnasium and computer lab at the Exchange Street facility.
Carlos Vidal, the club's technology coordinator, taught the students the basics of filmmaking.
"First it started with them putting together the scripts. I was showing them how to crop video, how to transition between scenes and how to add a title to their videos and how to add audio," he said. "The kids had a good time putting together the titles and the transitions, going from one scene to the next."
Last week, Leisha Ocasio, Cynthia Alvarado, Maria Santiago and Brandon Kolosiej were named winners of Club Tech's Movie Tech Digital Arts Festival. Twenty four participated in the festival.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges who included Waltham business owners, members of local service club organizations, past and present board members of the club and a volunteer.
Under a screenplay and movie script category, Ocasio won the 10- to 13-years-old age category for her script "Leisha's Journey." Santiago won the 14- to 18-year-old category for her script "Lost Love."
Under the movie documentary category, Ocasio teamed with Alvarado to win the 10- to 13-year-old category with their movie "The Cynthia Show," which discussed the four seasons.
"It's a pretend interview. I'm interviewing someone with a camera asking her what's her favorite season," said Alvarado. "I think it's good so kids can learn more and when they're done, like computers more."
For the 14- to 18-year-old category, Santiago and Kolosiej won for the film "The Endless Interview." In this movie, a reporter (played by Kolosiej) was having difficulties keeping his interview short.
"It's just about me and my friend Maria. She's talking about her screenplay and I'm getting bored with her talking," he said.
All students who participated in the program received a certificate. The winners received a flash drive.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Microsoft and the Best Buy Children's Foundation, club members are learning photo illustration, music composition, Web design and graphic design on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. since September.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com.
