Film Festival 2019

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Drexel Foundation’s 13^th Annual Children’s Film Festival & Film-maker Competition premiers many local films for Kids by kids and with kids in mind including the world premier of “InvinciVale”

            The Drexel H. Foundation's 13^th film festival competition had another successful year with entries from many Western Treasure Valley artists. The film competition 1^st place winner in the Youth 4-11 category sponsored by Oregon Shakespeare Festival  & Morrison Center was Courage  by  Juliette Freeman. Taking 2^nd place was Rayanna’s First Flight to Alaska by Rayanna Hansen. 3^rd place was Sydney’s Show by Sydney Hansen. In the 12- 14 age category Sponsored by TVCC Foundation & Bogus Basin 1^st place went to The Nerf Heist by Tiego Newton. 2^nd place went to The Movie By Cody Smithies. Liar is Not Wiser took 3^rd place by Kaydra Stewart, Hannah, Rebekah, Rayanna, Abigail, Benjamin, Gideon, & Lydia Hansen, ages 3-13. In the 15- 19 category sponsored by Ontario Auto Ranch & Boise Hawks 1st place winner was The need for a Recycling Center in Vale by: Jennifer Zanabriga and second place was Snowboard Battle: Andrew vs. Sam By Sam McLaughlin. The Adults 20+ category sponsored by Idaho Power & Malheur Country Historical Society first place winner was For Jane by Kody Newton. Winning 2^nd place was Driving With Mom by Noah Carlson & Sam McLaughlin. Third place was a Door 7 by Kody Newton. All participants received a trophy and a prize bag full of cool prizes donated by the 2019 sponsors listed in the program. Also, the first place winners in each category won a minimum of $50.00 in gift cards & certificates. The “Best of Show”$100 cash prize went to the film that was the judges favorite & most memorable of all entries. This year the youth film Courage took home the highest honors trophy and cash.

Everyone enjoyed a lovely night of new films for kids by kids and with kids in mind. During the awards special attention was given to thank all Drexel Foundation sponsors & donors during the 2019 year. At the film maker’s Reception sponsored by Steven Kinder and Carlson Law Office there was mingling among the filmmakers and comments about the wide participation with films from all over the Western Treasure Valley, Boise, Payette, Kuna as well as Malheur County. Much conversation was about the unique special effects in the crash course film from its participants creating the new movie “InvinciVale”.

There were numerous door prizes won. There was a special thanks to Phill Stucker for his writing, directing, shooting and editing this year’s crash course film. The crash course participants ranged in ages from 6 - 60, and were all involved as actors, sound technicians , lighting, grips, production assistants, cameramen, costume, and technical crew. Director Phill Stucker, Screenwriter Phll Stucker; Assistant Director Sam McLaughlin, Camera #1 Phill Stucker, Camera #2 Kelsey Tolman, Camera #3 Sam McLaughlin. Actors: Lauren Blesoe, Ezekiel Fuson, Willow Fuson,  Jaxen Hansen, Kohen Payne, Hypatia Rounds, Cody Smithies, Connor Yardley, & Ron Smith. Grips: Angela Smith, Sandijean Fuson, Noah Carlson, Caleb Voechting, Mike McLaughlin, Clap Board: Noah Carlson &   Jayden Hansen, Documentary camera: Ezekiel Fuson,  Props costumes & security: Steven Smithies, Griff Hansen, Mike McLaughlin, Sandijean Fuson, Kelsey Tolman  and Angela Smith.  Editor Phill Stucker. Each year a new film is created at the Annual Drexel Foundation Crash Course in Film-making, held FREE each Sept. at the 1914 Historic Rex Theater in Vale Oregon.“The group of participates got to create this super hero style movie incorporating the Vale murals with their input and thoughts in a short 2 hours. It was a very funny video and unique. Every year the crash course film is different, but a few kids have grownup on screen being involved since they were quite young. Special Thanks to The Rex Theater, and Vale Mural Society for creating great public art in Vale, and super thanks to Phill Stucker for his editing skills, directing and music and to Sam McLaughlin for his lighting & green screens knowledge” said Sandijean Fuson, President of Drexel Foundation.

After the awards the final segment of the event was a showing of past movies created at the crash course. It was another highlight of the film festival. The special Presentation showcases where the audience laughed & enjoyed the showing of the past 4 years crash course films Vanishing Vortex, and all three films in the “Thunderchicken” series.   All this years films will soon be found for viewing at under the video tab of “Children’s Film Festival & Film Makers Competition” entries, on the website www.thedrexelfoundation.org. The next three events the Drexel Foundation will sponsor is the Fall Celebration of the Volunteers, and the Free Halloween movie at the Vale Downtown trick or treat on 10/31/from 3-5, and the annual Open House on Dec. 31^st 9-12 at the Grand Opera House and Vale Hotel. “Much thanks goes to Phill Stucker, the volunteers and the businesses and individuals who give their time, money and donations to help make the Free Drexel Art Programs & community events worthwhile.” said Fuson.  If you would like to teach a class, give your time, help with restoration, donate prizes, or find out more about the Drexel Foundation call Kelsey or Sandijean Fuson at (541) 473-3470 or visit www.thedrexelfoundation.org.

Drexel H. Foundation offers FREE Crash Course

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Drexel H. Foundation offers FREE Crash Course in Film/Video Sept. 4th , Followed By premier of the film On Sept. 14th

            The Drexel H. Foundation presents a “Crash Course in Film Making,” on Sept. 4th which will be taught by film maker Phill Stucker. What is the crash course? Ages youth thru adults create a movie in 2 hours, using local murals and a green screen. The film created is premiered during the"Children's Film Festival & Film-maker's Competition.

The Crash Course in Video & Film is Free ages 5 & up are invited. The crash course is a unique event and is open to all people no matter where they reside in Oregon or Idaho. Everyone gets to be involved as actors, sound, light, camera, and technical crew. It all starts at 6:00pm at Vale’s Rex Theater and will conclude approximately 8:30pm that night.

This year the crash course shall again incorporate new ideas for a new characters, the basics of video creation and teach the participants about “green screen” film projects. Pre-registration for participants is recommended but not required. The registration form can be found at the Drexel Foundation website www.thedrexelfoundation/events/crashcourseinfilmaking.org . Every year the actors improvise and create the dialogue as they go based around the groups idea for a plot line.

“The group of participates get to create the movie with their input and thoughts that day, so every year it is different because different people are involved.  There is a small group of returning participants that are now teenagers, and college students who started when they were young. They bring a unique continuity to the group. Each year they build upon the experience & advance in their skills. It is a great thing to see the growth in these young artists.” said Sandijean Fuson, President of Drexel Foundation. There have been a variety of professional film makers over the last 13years helping with this event, but a crowd favorite due to his outstanding ability to teach and great sense of humor is Phill Stucker.

Professional film maker Phill Stucker graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana with a degree in filmmaking. Since graduating college Phill has been working for Powerfields Company, he is part of the marketing & web design. Phill uses animation to create advertising videos. He has been animating films and winning film awards since the age of 15. He won the Drexel H. Foundation film festival Best of Show 3 consecutive years in a row with his unique comedic films. His list of Drexel Film Festival award winning films include: 10 Speed Insanity, Keep it Clean Music Video, The Great Museum Robbery, Don’t Cry Out, and We Didn’t Start the Fire. He has won numerous awards including 1st place in Animation & winner of Audience Choice at the BSU Film Festival in 2008, with Don’t Cry Out. A band from San Diego commissioned Phill to animate Keep it clean music video, which has been showcased at film festivals from London to New York City, as well as Los Angeles, California. His senior thesis film Entropy won “best sound design” at Montana State University senior film competition, in which it was nominated for 8 out of 12 categories, including “Best Director and Best Picture”.  In 2013 Phill was the guest artist and taught the animation workshop at the Drexel August Art Camp.

Phill was the past Crash Course in Film guest artist during, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2018. He is an exceptional editor and familiar with fx in filmmaking including green screen. His animated character Thunder Chicken created in 2013 is a favorite of many local children. Many children who enjoyed performing or working on Thunder Chicken came to the crash course the following years to create two more films Thunderchicken II Back for Seconds and Thunderchicken III Iguana Go Home.

Last years participants through Stucker’s guidance and editing created Para-annoyed a comedic spoof on ghost hunters. With the ghosts turning the tables it gave a new perspective of how scary & annoying all the ghost hunters are to them. It was a fun plot line created by the crash course crew. It can be viewed at the Drexel Foundation website http://www.thedrexelfoundation.org/videos/crash-course-films

            The Crash Course on Sept. 4^th  gives the participants options to learn and o what interests then. They learn about basic plot, lighting, and camera shot training. “After this exposure to video & film art they can go home, back to their clubs, church or classroom and create their own movie to enter into the upcoming film festival competition. Many have seen samples of these youth films at the Drexel Certificate of Achievement events and enjoy seeing youth their own age in the crash course films” said Fuson. There is no entry fee to participate in either the crash course nor to enter a film into the Drexel Foundation’s Annual “Children’s Film Festival” competition by the deadline of Sept. 8^th.

The Drexel Foundation is now accepting films for the competition.  The Sept 8^th deadline is quickly approaching. Films must be family appropriate, rated G to PG. There are four (4) age categories, 4-11, 12-14, 15-19 and 20 & up, with 1st place winners in each category winning a $25 gift certificate and the best overall film winning “Best of Show” wins $100 cash, there are trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each age category and all participants win prizes.  One does not need to be present to win!  To enter mail or drop off submitted films and registrations at 301 A St, Vale, OR 97918. For more information contact Kelsey Tolman or Sandijean Fuson and leave a message at 541-473-3470.

Call to Artists!

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Call to artists! submit your video, “snap chat”, photo slide show,  or film to the Drexel Foundation’s Annual “Children’s Film Festival”.

The Best of Show gets $100 cash prize!

            The Drexel Foundation is now accepting films for the competition, and the deadline is approaching to enter your film for FREE into the “Film-makers Competition” held in conjunction with the Drexel’s Annual “Children’s Film Festival for kids, by kids and with kids in mind.”  This will be the 13^th year the Drexel Foundation, has sponsored this great creative competition here in Vale, Oregon. One does not need to be present to win! The Film Festival is held at the historic 1914 Rex Theater on Sept. 14th. The screening of the winning films starts at 6:30pm and includes a film maker & sponsors reception and awards for the winning films. The evening is a showcase of the movies entered by the film makers into Drexel’s “Film maker Competition.... for kids, by kids, and with kids in mind” and a premiere of the movie created at the Sept 4^th crash course. There is no fee to enter this competition, if you enter by Sept. 8, 2019. Late submissions are accepted thru Sept. 11, 2019 for a $20 fee.

The best overall film wins a $100 cash. Films must be family appropriate, rated G to PG. There are four (4) age categories, 4-11, 12-14, 15-19 and 20 & up, with 1st place winners in each category winning a $25 gift certificates and all participants win a sack full of prizes. There are trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each age category. The registration forms can be found on the website www.thedrexelfoundation.org  or by calling 541-473-3470, also at the Rex Theater. The Films can be no shorter than 8-10 seconds ( snapchat) and should be no longer than 10 minutes. They can be submitted in MP4, DVD format, mini D.V. tape, WMV or a different format for submission. Drexel Foundation Staff can help you if you need assistance with your format submission details. The cost to attend the Film Festival, is $5.00 for kids and $ 7.00 for adults. All film-makers who enter a film for the competition are free. To enter mail or drop off submitted films and registrations at 301 A St, Vale, OR 97918 by the free entry deadline of Sept. 8^th.Come see these great movies and videos and walk on the red carpet with these artists.

Talent Show 2019

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And the Winners Are? Drexel Foundations 23rd Annual Talent Show and Art camp Huge Success

            The Drexel H. Foundation held their Annual Talent Show on August 8th on the stage at Vale’s beautiful 1914 Rex Theater, one of the oldest theaters in Oregon still entertaining. This Free annual event was a pinnacle to “August Art Camp” week put on by the Drexel H. Foundation. The show was a success, with the first place winner in each age category going home with $100.00 cash, a huge trophy and lots of cool prizes. Everyone who performed received a big sack of prizes with over a $75-$100 value. Everyone went home a winner!

            The youth 4-11 category winner receiving $100.00 cash and a 1^st place trophy was Rayanna Hansen singing and playing guitar, 2^nd place was Kaylee Briner dancing & 3rd place was Rayanna playing guitar to her original song with her sister Sydney Hansen dancing. Also competing were Evelyn Hansen, Isabella Moraga, Keira Briner and Alia Manhire. The Gold Sponsor for this category was Malheur Federal Credit Union ( an 18+ year sponsor) and Luzetta’s Flowers (a sponsor since the first show 23 years ago). In the 12-14 category there were no competitors. “ It takes courage to get up on stage. That courage pays off with cash and trophies, gift certificates, and sacks of prizes. But with no middle school competitors just  we just took those funds to add more to each individual sack. Each was full of more prizes this year.” Said Fuson In the 15-19 category the 1^st place winner was Andrew Rodriguez playing the guitar & singing. The 2^nd place trophy went to Elisa Gaston and Third place trophy to Catherine Booth. Both Elisa & Catherine sang songs and have been past 1^st place winners. This high school category Gold Sponsor was Umpqua Bank and Butler & Looney PC (a sponsor since the first show 23 years ago).  In the Adult category  Dusty Rose won first Place with an original song dedicated to her deceased mother. It was moving. The adult 2^nd place trophy went to Debbie Wolfe playing a jazz version of America the Beautiful on the piano. The 3^rd place trophy went to Ann Wuehler singing. The other adult participant, Tammy Booth a comedic storyteller had the audience roaring with laughter. The Adult Gold Sponsors were Feista Guadalajara and Malheur Drug (a sponsor since the first show 23 years ago).  The competition was real tough, even with one of the smallest line ups of competitors,  the talent quality was Grand!

            Acknowledgement to the sponsors who have supported the various events, & restoration efforts was made in the program and throughout the evening.  “Much thanks goes to the businesses and individuals who give their time, money and donations to help make our events worthwhile, and the organization volunteers helping make our events great which in turn encourages community involvement.” Said

Sandijean Fuson, President of the Drexel Foundation before the awards to the contestants. The show honored the many wonderful volunteers who were listed in the program for helping with Art Camp, Art Beat on Main Street, Certificate of Achievement, Art in the Park, and the Art Cam & talent show week. “All that these volunteers do throughout the year to help impact to this community, without them, there would be no us”! said Sandijean Fuson. The kids participating in Art Camp were acknowledged in addition to the valuable volunteer helpers. In 1995 the Annual August  Art Camp and Talent Show began. Since then many citizens from all of Oregon & the Treasure Valley are involved in the Drexel programs, working as volunteers, giving donations, helping with restoration, or just bringing their talents to share with others.  Announcements about the importance of the  local Treasure Valley supporters for this event was made by Fuson. Special recognition during the night was made to the sponsors who have donated for over 18+ years. There were several sponsoring since the First  show 23 years ago to help support this free family annual event. Sandra Tolman was presented with a gift for her outstanding service as a board member and volunteer. “ She helps with events, planning and always goes above and beyond in all her efforts to make the Drexel Foundation Great” said Fuson. The Drexel Foundation’s motto “of your own personal strength you can accomplish anything” has helped many follow their dreams. Every year they fill a need for the youth in this area to be exposed to cultural/artist events for FREE. “Participation in Art should be free, by breaking down financial barriers, it brings our community closer, as artistic talent is everywhere!” said Fuson.   

More FREE events are coming this summer. The upcoming Crash course in Film Program is Sept 4^th art 6:00pm. The deadline is Sept. 8^th to enter a video or film for free for the Annual Children’s Film Festival & Film-makers Competition  “for kids by kids, and with kids in mind”. It will be held on Sept. 14th at 6:30 at the Rex theater in Vale. Again $100 cash will go to the Best of Show for the entire fill festival and prizes for all who enter.  The submission of any format is permitted and after the deadline for free entries, late entries are allowed for a $20 entry fee.  To find out more about the Drexel Foundation call (541) 473-3470 and leave a message for Sandijean Fuson or Kelsey Tolman.