Reel Stories
Instant Family Movie Review
Although it has some flaws, Instant Family is a sweet story that feels refreshingly authentic. The movie follows a couple’s decision to foster children and the mayhem that ensues. They foster three kids; one is a teenage girl, one is a pre-teen boy and one is a young girl. As predicted, fostering is harder than they expected, but the story focuses on how they all come together despite the difficulties. I do not have any experience with the foster care system, but from my outsider’s view I can say that the kids reacted to their changing homes the way I [...]
My Experience at Adobe MAX
It all began when I received an email from Esther Pearl (Camp Reel Stories founder), in which she invited me to the great convention: Adobe MAX. At first, I wasn't familiar with the event, so I began a research about it. While going through Adobe's website, I realized how amazing the event was (I was like, yes, I am going!) So, I wrote back to her and did all the necessary arrangements. It was a 3 day convention, from October 15th to the 17th. In addition, on the 14th, Adobe also had a Student Social at Downtown LA. The [...]
The Hate U Give
On Tuesday, October 7th, Camp Reel Stories along with a variety of other community organizations were able to attend an advanced screening of The Hate U Give at Jack London Theater in Oakland. The Hate U Give is a film adaptation of a young adult novel written by Angie Thomas with the same title. The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter (played by Amandla Stenberg), a black high school girl whose life is forever changed after witnessing her childhood best friend, Khalil, being shot and killed by a white police officer. Prior to Khalil’s murder, Starr is [...]
Blackklansman
Set in 1979 and directed by Spike Lee, Blackklansman tells the story of Ron Stallworth, a black police officer who, with the help of other members on his force, goes undercover in attempt to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. In my opinion this film is cinematic genius with it’s powerful and beautifully crafted storyline, combined with sparks of witty humor to depict the history of blacks in America. The film portrayed the difficulties of balancing a healthy relationship with your community and those you love, while maintaining professionalism in the workplace. Throughout the film, however, it becomes clear that those [...]
Crazy Rich Asians Review
Crazy Rich Asians burst through movie theaters everywhere by breaking barriers that stand between Asians and the media. The film follows Rachel Chu, played by Constance Wu, as she travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young, who is secretly wealthy. As a result, Rachel is brought into a world of riches, disapproving mothers, and threatening socialites. Throughout the film, Rachel and Nick’s love, as well as Rachel’s identity as an Asian-American, are put to the test. Whenever I walk into a movie theater I think to myself, is this movie going to make me cry? I always decide how [...]
“On My Block” TV Review
Written by Clarissa Lam, Student Board Member of Camp Reel Stories “On My Block” takes place in Freeridge, California where gun shots and gangs are encroaching on the lives of four teenagers: Monse, Cesar, Jamal, and Ruby. Although the characters deal with gangs, violence, deportation, racism, and other serious topics, the show is able to continue a comedic tone throughout the majority of the show, allowing the issues to impact the characters and audience without drowning them in them, showing that even as tragedy strikes, life goes on. Full disclosure: I’ll admit the acting is poor in many places and [...]
From Boot Camper to Program Assistant: My Journey with Camp Reel Stories
[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]From Boot Camper to Program Assistant: My Journey with Camp Reel Stories I have been involved with Camp Reel Stories since 2015, and it is truly an organization that has changed my life. Not only has CRS taught me all the skills I need to create an entire film from start to finish in five days, but it has also taught me to be more aware of the media I consume and how to speak up when I feel like my voice [...]
Half the Picture
Last Monday The San Francisco International Film Festival invited Camp Reel Stories for a screening of Amy Adrion new documentary, Half the Picture. This documentary speaks about a variety of issues such as the huge disparity of men and women's roles, and lack thereof, in front of or behind the screen. As someone who has not been in the film industry in the way that these female directors have been, it was really eye opening to hear all these professionals talk about their experiences. Common themes that they all described were of that they were not given chances to [...]
Black Panther
For the past decade the movie theaters have been flooded with superhero movies, many great, but primarily all white. As great as some of these films may have been they continued to lack diversity on screen for both men of color and women in general. Now that we as a society are beginning to be more critical of our films, we are in turn pressuring companies to make the more diverse movies that are beginning to reflect what we see in the world around us. Studios are finally putting out movies like Wonder Woman and Spiderman, who are not only [...]
Camp Reel Stories has been voted a 2018 Oaklandish Innovator
Camp Reel Stories is honored to have been selected as the Oaklandish Innovator of 2018. For more info on Oaklandish and the Innovator Award: https://www.oaklandish.com/pages/community
