Lily Abromeit:

I need to make it clear that I am no Golden Globes actress, in fact my list of experience consists of some community theatre in my elementary school days and a recent performance of Fiddler on the Roof, where I played a villager. I was very nervous upon learning I would be acting in the 2013 Winter Court video.

On the first day of filming, I quietly and stood in the back and waited for everyone else to act like a fool first. But as we started to get settled, and the camera’s came out, it became fun. I am still convinced that when the video is shown I will look as awkward as I thought I did. I also have a newfound respect for actors. It is almost impossible to not look at the camera when they tell you not to.

Although I felt awkward in front of the camera, it was still a very exciting experience. I’ve never done anything like it before. I had never experienced the strange looks I  got when I walked down the hall during passing period wearing a fancy prom dress. Or the double takes my fellow candidates and I received when we ran down the hallway in rainbow colored tablecloths.

Despite the slightly awkward moments and being called “the candidates” collectively, I would not have traded the memories we made as a group for anything. The video brought us closer together as friends and as a court.

That is the most valuable thing about the winter court video it erases competition. We no longer cares who wins because we are all friends now. The memories we’ve made together will not be destroyed when we crown the king and queen because to us, it doesn’t matter.

Forest Lassman:

It’s 8am on a Thursday morning, and today is the second day of winter court filming. Our video focuses on the history of film and first up for filming today is the Wizard of Oz. All of the winter court candidates get together and those not playing any of the main characters are handed tablecloths and told to be munchkins.

It’s a cold day and we are shooting outside, so after each scene we all run inside or huddle together. As munchkins we jump for joy with  Dorothy and waddle on the ground next to the yellow brick road. When filming is done we all run back inside.

Next, we had to shoot a scene from Psycho. A skull was ready to be used but some difficult issues arose. The skull had to be spun around on a chair, but it kept falling off. We considered using tape but after reviewing the scene on Youtube we found there was an easier way and the shot was gotten.

After a brief lunch I put on my Luke Skywalker outfit and began filming the Star Wars scene. In the small gym with a blue lightsaber in my hand, I slew Darth Vader. I celebrated by thrusting my hands in the air and howling like a mad wokkie.

Next our group moved downtown to the parking garage to shoot a Noir scene. We got out, set up, and then looked around for a missing prop. Someone went back to the school while we waited. It was still cold outside so I kept on the bed sheets and the Darth Vader mask to stay warm.We waited about 30 minutes for someone to find the missing prop and then shooting resumed. As soon as we finished the scene I was done for the day.

Overall, it was a fun experience and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.