Around Dublin: Teen's video touches legislators, asks hard questions in light of budget cuts (Tri-Valley Herald)

By Alan Elias
Tri-Valley Herald
May 6, 2009

IT STARTED OUT AS just a regular assignment in Mitch Eason's TV and film production class at Dublin High: put together a short video that addressed an important real-world issue.

But student filmmaker Macartney Stevens had no idea how much of a positive stir his one minute, 29-second film on state budget cuts to education was going to create. Titled "California Education at Stake," the video is directed by name to a handful of elected officials, asking them to imagine the real life implications that cuts may have on students' lives.

For example, one DHS student actor asks Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to imagine that budget cuts caused arts programs to be cut: "What would you have done without the gifted artists that helped your films come to life?"

Another student in the video asks state Sen. Ellen Corbett to imagine that: "I was the one who would discover the cure for cancer," but because of budget cuts and increased classroom sizes, "I'm just a face in the crowd."

"It's not meant to be an attack but is really just speaking up for those who can't, or don't know how," says Stevens, who adds that his video isn't designed just to help Dublin High but all California high schools being hit hard by budget shortfalls.

"I told Macartney to only do this if he really believed in it," said Eason, who knew his student had created something special when he saw it for the first time and then screened it for the DHS principal and vice principal, who were clearly moved.

If you haven't yet seen the video, log on to YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf4B_Gsqkdc).

As of this writing, the video has received nearly 600 hits since it was posted April 24. Its viral marketing has also taken off nicely, with social media sites including Facebook and Twitter having posts from Dublin residents about the video and linking readers to the YouTube URL.

As of Tuesday, the video can also be found via the official Web site of Assemblyman Tom Torlakson — one of those elected officials named in the video.

And the video's viewing by Sen. Corbett has also made a strong impression on her.

"Wow. That was my initial reaction," said Corbett. "I was really happy and gratified to see that these students were right on the mark in trying to get the attention of their elected officials in order to try and make a difference."

Dublin High's principal sent it to Dublin Schools Superintendent Steve Hanke, who has incorporated it into presentations about the potential impact of budget cuts. The video was also sent to the state superintendent of schools, the governor's office and other locations.

Stevens says he's really gratified by all the attention, but "I'm really just trying to give students in the future the same opportunities that I had." The high school senior plans to pursue film and video as a career and plans to start off by taking classes at an area community college.

If his future projects are as poignant and well done as this one, then you very well might be hearing again about this young man in the years ahead.