BHS-TV students and incoming Barrington High School juniors Tommy Derken and Gus Goetze are the winners of the first-ever iPadpalooza, a contest featuring student-produced videos that concluded this weekend in Austin, Texas. To enter the contest, the students had to create a video under four minutes long using only an iPhone, iPad and editing apps. The finalists all met in Austin this past weekend, where their films were featured at the historic Ritz Theater.
The only other requirements for the contest were to somehow reference the theme “up” and include a balloon in the film. 15 finalists were invited to the final round in Austin and the winning video was chosen by popular vote. The students say their video, titled “Up, Up and Away“, was filmed on an iPhone and edited on an iPad over a 24-hour period on a day-off school in Barrington. Tommy played the starring role and Gus handled the filming in the comedic narrative about a boy and his balloon.
Gus says participating in this contest taught them a valuable lesson. “We learned that we have the power to create films sitting right here in our pockets. You don’t need a computer and fancy editing software. You can execute a video using only your smartphone and really make a difference or just make someone laugh.”
Gus also says the message of “Up, Up and Away” is a simple one. “You never know how good something is until it’s gone so make the best of what you have in the moment.”
Well said, Gus 😉 and great job, guys! Your video definitely made me smile…
Gus and Tommy both won iPad minis with retina display for taking the top prize.
They say their BHS-TV / 238 Studios Teacher Jeff Doles encouraged them to enter iPadpalooza. Mr. Doles was also their teacher sponsor and joined them in Austin for their big iPadpalooza finish. The final stage of the contest took place this past weekend at Westlake High School, which is part of the school district Barrington 220 Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard is heading to in July.
