The movie Divergent, based on Barrington High School graduate Veronica Roth’s best selling trilogy opens at the Catlow Theater this weekend. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 5:05 and 8 p.m., Sunday through Thursday at 7 p.m.
BHS-TV teacher Jeff Doles recently met the actors, in person, while filming Divergent‘s premiere for Hollywood Chicago last month. With the help of BHS administration, Jeff started the Digital Arts and Video Production programs at BHS 12 years ago. This is his 6th year of teaching the award-winning BHS-TV class in Barrington.
What was it like to be there at Divergent’s Chicago premiere?
“Usually I am on the other side of the fishbowl looking in but at the Divergent premiere I was in the center of the action. The red carpet actually circled the press and outside of the press and outside of the circle screaming fans circled all of us.”
Any interesting anecdotes or exchanges with the actors?
“Veronica Roth remembered me from her visit to BHS and said student Peter Chung “Did a great job” interviewing her. Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand and I shook his hand and I was able to take a photo with the lead character, Shailene Woodley. It was a unique experience to be able to watch a premiere with the actual actors in the movie. The theater crowd was loud and cheered the characters in the movie.”
What was it like to see Veronica Roth again and in this setting?
“She is an amazing writer and a great interview. I appreciate that she has not forgotten her roots and has come back to visit BHS. She is a class act.”
Did you get to see the movie? What did you think?
“Great book adaptation with incredible cinematography that features a futuristic depiction of Chicago.”
If you have yet to see Divergent, come check it out at the Catlow Theater in Barrington (116 W. Main Street). In the meantime, here’s the Divergent premiere video filmed by Jeff Doles and edited by Barrington High School TV students Ryan Adamovic, Tommy Derken, Jack Coombs, JJ Good and Michael Barcroft.
