RDHS video duo zoom in for challenge close-up

Two RDHS students have a chance to focus in on a close-up chance at a provincial title in video/film work against their peers from across the province, in the Skills Ontario Challenge. Shawn Little (left) and Joey Schlapsi are getting ready for a Toronto trip next month, to show off their video documentary talent in the Ontario Skills Challenge.

Shawn Little and Joey Schlapsi, from Rockland District High School, clinched the gold medal for TV/Video Production Team at the regional Skills Ontario Challenge competition in Kingston, earlier in the year. Final judging results were announced at the Upper Canada District School Board April regular meetings, earlier this week.

The two had to produce a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) on where people get their news, whether actual news or “fake news”.

“It took us a couple of hours to do,” said Schlapsi, during a noon-hour break at school, adding they were given the topic in advance for the regional competition.

They were allowed to do all their preparation work at home or at school before heading to Kingston for the regional skills challenge. Actual filming of the PSA took place in Kingston. The two divided the workload with Little writing the script and acting it out in front of the camera, while Schlapsi did the video and editing work.

Both are excited now about their chance to compete in the provincial skills event next month in Toronto. This time, though, it will be all improvised. They won’t know what their subject is until they get to the competition and then they will have about six hours to produce their video for the judges.

“This is excellent experience,” said Schlapsi, who plans a career in film and T.V. production. “It looks good on a resumé, and I really enjoy what I am doing. The challenge matches my passion perfectly.”

Little also enjoys working with his partner on their video production tasks. While he does not see his career future in video work, he does think the experience will prove useful to him for his goal of owning his own construction company one day.

“I find it’s a way to help build connections,” Little said, adding he can see some of the skills he learned in video production working for him in the field of construction.

The Little/Schlapsi PSA on news sources: fact or fictional? is available for view on YouTube at https://youtu.be/FF9U11RxNul.