Student filmmaker gets accepted into exclusive program
MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — This week’s Here’s to You Kid features a young filmmaker who’s taking his talents to the West Coast.
28/22 News reporter Iyee Jagne takes us to Mountain Top to meet Chris Laverty.
After doing film for years Chris decided to apply to a 6-week film program at the University of Southern California. The program is very exclusive and only takes a total of 36 kids throughout the country. Chris is one of the 36.
“It’s probably about three years old and a start with my mom. She showed me all of the best movies ever since I was a kid,” said Chris Laverty, of Mountain Top.
That inspired him to start making his own films so he recruited some family members to star in his film.
“I used to work out with my cousin Heath and my friends, my grandma’s house and my house, and all that kind of stuff is just overtime. It just started to fascinate me,” Laverty added.
The genre of films Chris mostly works with is comedy but he says lately he’s been working on drama and suspense since he’s gained more skills, as a way to expand.
“My big thing is when I show my friends and family my work I like criticism more than I like compliments. I like criticism because at my age and the budget I work with and the kind of stuff I make. It’s never perfect right now,” Laverty continued.
Chris says that he plans to teach other students at his school, MMI Preparatory School about the importance of film.
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“Every day I go to school and I read books and I hear things about different facts of literature and all that kind of stuff and I feel very fascinated by it but I kinda wanna show and educate more people on the importance of film,” Laverty said.
To say his parents are proud of Chris is an understatement.
“Not only are we proud of him for this but he’s just a wonderful young man he’s kind and he’s very compassionate but he’s confident. We’re proud of his creativity, his drive, and his passion,” said Melissa Laverty, Chris’s mom.
His dad thinks this experience will be a good life lesson for Chris.
“Also, good for him to be able to not necessarily leave northeastern Pennsylvania, but take northeastern Pennsylvania with him to California and just experience what is out there and bring a little bit of you there and some of there back here,” Will Laverty, Chris’s dad.
Going from the East Coast to the West Coast is a big change but Chris says his focus is on one thing.
“I got to say it’s mostly just going there for you know to learn about moves, to be honest, but you know it’s California it’s need I’ve never been there before so that’s fine too,” said Chris Laverty.
Chris says he wants to be a filmmaker when he grows up. When he’s not making films, he enjoys hanging out with his friends, skiing, and playing basketball.
Here’s to you Chris! If you have a kid Eyewitness News should feature on Here’s To You Kid! Send in a nomination online.
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