Film

From March 3-7, Viewpoint presented “World Ready Week 2025,” a transformative event fostering personal growth, social awareness, and stronger connections among its Middle and Upper School students. During the Belonging and Community Symposium, renowned director, producer, and storyteller Jon M. Chu led a moderated Q&A with student panelists, and GRAMMY® award-winning audio engineer Derek Ali spoke at a Middle School assembly. 

For the past nine years, Viewpoint School has provided its Middle and Upper School students  the unique opportunity to develop and lead workshops for their peers on topics that matter most to them. A testament to their future-ready skills, more than 150 students led World Ready Week sessions designed to inspire engagement with new ideas and help students build skills in leadership, citizenship, and civil discourse. 

“Nine years ago we started Diversity Leadership Day as an opportunity to focus on the great diversity of our School, Southern California, and our world, and as an opportunity for students and adults to bring special areas of knowledge to the rest of our community,” said Head of School Mark McKee. “Last year, we decided to reimagine it as World Ready Week to further expand its scope and impact.”

With the theme of Optimism * Allyship * Community, students led their peers in conversations about topics they care about, from mental health, foster care, cultural expression, and stereotypes, to conspiracy theories and coding for social change.

Middle School students explored the impact of book bans in an interactive session, while others examined how fashion has shaped culture over the past century. In the Upper School, students led discussions on diverse representation in the media, challenging common stereotypes, and facilitated hands-on activities to support children in the foster care system.  

In addition to attending sessions, all students in Grades 6-12 gathered for World Ready Week assemblies. Just two days after the Academy Awards, Jon M. Chu spoke to more than 700 Viewpoint Middle and Upper School students about “The Road to Belonging” in two consecutive assemblies, an event featured on ABC7 Los Angeles.

For the Upper School assembly, the panel featured Jake Sklar ’25, Luna Kuhn ’26, Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Nathan Danese ’25, Zooey Jeong ’25, and Connor Wycoff ’25. For the Middle School assembly, panelists included Morgan Taylor ’30, Colin Pan ’30, Sophie Kupper ’30, and Will Koonce ’28.

Jon M. Chu is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, known for his directorial work on films like Wicked, Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights. With his unique vision and ability to bring diverse stories to life, his groundbreaking work has pushed boundaries and continues to redefine representation in film.  

“What I loved about bringing Wicked to the big screen was that I didn’t have to focus on politics—I could focus on humanity. That, to me, is the key. It’s about the choices we make every day about who we want to be,” shared Chu.

“We were overjoyed to have Jon M. Chu as our keynote speaker. His passion for telling authentic, diverse stories continues to make lasting impacts throughout the world,” shared Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “Our students had the unique opportunity to hear firsthand from him about the importance of staying true to one’s voice, and the role of creative expression in shaping culture.”

On Wednesday, students gathered once again for an inspiring assembly that featured a special preview of Viewpoint: Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Stage (VOSOVOS), offering the community an exciting first look at this year’s highly anticipated production. Voices Now, our Upper School vocal ensemble, closed the session with a lively rendition of “I’ve Got the Music in Me.” 

The Middle School closed out the week with a visit by Grammy-winning music producer Derek Ali, who has worked with artists such as Nipsey Hussle and SZA. Ali reflected on his childhood struggles and how his curiosity ultimately shaped his career. Encouraging students to embrace their own curiosity, he emphasized how a single spark of interest can change the course of their lives.

Through optimism, allyship, and community, World Ready Week empowers students to embrace new perspectives, lead with empathy, and create lasting impact within and beyond Viewpoint.

“I want to thank our Student Diversity Council for lending their voices to this important project, and to the entire Viewpoint community for making this week a success,” added Jackson. “We look forward to building on this momentum and creating an even more impactful experience for next year.”

For Connor Wycoff ’25, storytelling runs in his DNA. Inspired by his family's creative roots—a brother in theater, an uncle in cinematography, and a father in commercial acting—Connor found his passion behind the camera. This drive earned him recognition as a 2025 National YoungArts Award Winner in Film for his deeply personal film, “The Sound of Fury and Solace,” selected from over 800 students nationwide through a highly competitive process.

“The Sound of Fury and Solace” tells the story of a guitar prodigy who progressively loses his hearing, inspired by Connor’s own experience with hearing loss. Born deaf in his left ear, Connor channeled his personal journey into the film, using sound design techniques to replicate the muffled auditory experiences that mirror his reality.

“I wanted to convey the horrors of hearing loss and help people empathize with something they might never experience firsthand,” Connor shared. “The process was cathartic and meaningful to me.”

“Connor has a unique voice as a filmmaker, and his ability to translate personal experiences into powerful, visual storytelling is remarkable,” added Film Teacher Monica Hoenig.

Connor’s path to filmmaking was influenced not just by his family but also by his love of movies and the introspective process of storytelling. 

“I love being able to tap into my own mind and create work that's personal. I don’t make films for validation, I make them for myself. If others connect with them, that’s a bonus,” he explained.

Creating “The Sound of Fury and Solace” was an extensive process, which began in October of his Junior year. Connor wrote, directed, produced, edited, and even shot much of the film himself, with assistance from his classmate Sam Green ’25. 

“Producing was tough, but it taught me a lot,” said Connor. “Ultimately, writing remains my favorite part because it allows me to express myself poetically and authentically.”

Beyond the award, Connor’s film has been featured in several film festivals, including the Calabasas and Topanga Film Festivals. One memorable moment occurred when a festival host was moved to tears after viewing his film.

“Seeing someone have such a raw emotional response to my work was incredibly validating. It reminded me why I love storytelling—to connect with people on a deeper level,” he shared.

As a YoungArts winner, Connor will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary programs in Los Angeles, New York City, or Nashville, while connecting with a vibrant community of artists through YoungArts Post. In addition, each award winner will receive a $250 monetary prize.

Looking ahead, Connor plans to pursue film and marketing in college, with aspirations of becoming a writer in the film industry. We look forward to seeing where his creativity and passion take him next.

For Alexa Jeong ’25, storytelling is in her DNA. Inspired from a young age by her exposure to the entertainment industry, she has spent her Upper School years honing her craft as a filmmaker. Now, her latest film, “Crescendo,” is nominated for the California Student Young Filmmaker Award at the Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF), screening tonight at the AMC Burbank 16.

"Watching my dad in movies and TV shows always fascinated me, especially the behind-the-scenes work," Jeong said. "When I was younger, I made little iMovies, and once I realized Viewpoint offered film classes, I couldn’t wait to dive in."

Jeong has been a part of Viewpoint’s Film Program since the start of Upper School. During her Junior year, she had the opportunity to write, direct, produce, and edit her own film in her Film III course—a full-circle moment that brought her journey back to the inspiration behind it all: her father.

“My inspiration for ‘Crescendo’ came from my dad's story of wanting to be an actor, but his parents—like many immigrant parents—believed the American dream meant financial security and a stable career. The arts didn’t fit that ideal,” Jeong explained. “I’ve heard similar stories from other Asian Americans whose parents are hesitant about them pursuing creative fields. I wanted to give those voices a platform.”

“It was clear from the start that this story came from a deeply personal place," said Film Teacher Monica Hoenig. "The details reflected the experiences of growing up and transitioning from high school to the working world. What struck me most was that Alexa wasn’t telling her own story, but her father’s—drawing from her family’s history. It’s rare to see a student take that kind of approach.”

“Crescendo” has resonated far beyond the Viewpoint community, earning acceptance into seven film festivals and recently winning the Best Writing Award at the Calabasas Film Festival on September 22. Tonight, she’s hopeful that number will grow to two.

“I was thrilled to hear my film was nominated for the California Student Young Filmmaker Award,” Jeong said. “This is the first short film I’ve made at Viewpoint that’s been submitted to festivals, so it means a lot to me that it’s being recognized.”

Congratulations to Alexa Jeong ’25 on this remarkable achievement! We wish her continued success tonight and in all her future endeavors.

Our student filmmakers won two of the top awards at the eleventh annual Calabasas Film Festival (CFF) on Sunday, September 22. The CFF, which ran from September 18-22, brought together current and former Viewpoint students, including renowned cinematographer Eric Steelberg ’95. Steelberg also was awarded a certificate of merit from the City of Calabasas on Friday, September 20.

“Eric is one of the students who created the Film program at Viewpoint,” said Catherine Dunn, Department Chair of Film and Video. “Eric’s passion and talent for cinematography was evident from those early days and he continued to be as invested in the program even after he graduated, returning to mentor many of our students’ Film IV shoots.”

Showcasing major film premieres, including Steelberg’s Saturday Night, student films, and documentaries, the CFF featured seven films from Viewpoint. From more than 100 submissions, our students won:

• Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Minus Daisy, written, directed, edited and lighting by Sam Green ’25, produced by Kamari Paschall ’25, Director of Photography - Landon  Beauchamp-Domeyer ‘25. Sound - Nathan Danese ’25 and Derek Kessler ’26, Cast - Anthony Chun and Greg Chun 

• Outstanding Achievement in Writing: Crescendo, written, directed, produced, and edited by Alexa Jeong ’25, Photography - Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Assistant Director - Julian Dans ’25, Sound -  Zooey Jeong ’25, Lighting - Kamari Paschall ’25

Film Teacher Monica Hoenig was thrilled by the students’ success in the competition and shared her thoughts on the importance of the CFF to her students:

“The Calabasas Film Festival’s mission is to showcase quality films from high school students, honoring their innovative storytelling. As a teacher and mentor, my job is to guide and support these talented students, helping them bring their creative visions to life. This journey has been instrumental in their personal and artistic growth, boosting their critical thinking, creativity, and confidence - skills that are valuable in any career, not only filmmaking. Our film program has been recognized with numerous awards, highlighting the exceptional talent and hard work of our students. Screening our films at the CFF is a proud moment for all of us, and I’m thrilled to see their efforts celebrated on such a big stage. “

The Student Films Shown at CFF:

• To the Max

  • Director, Editor - Sundiata Enuke ’24, Producer - Dylan DeCesare ’24, Writer - Sundiata Enuke ’24, Editor - Eden Spalding ’24, Lighting Design, Music - Madison Grimes-Waynes ’24

• Minus Daisy

  • Director, Writer, Editor, Lighting - Sam Green ’25, written, Producer - Kamari Paschall ’25, Director of Photography - Landon  Beauchamp-Domeyer ‘25. Sound - Nathan Danese ’25 and Derek Kessler ’26, Cast - Anthony Chun and Greg Chun 

• Throwaway

  • Director, Producer, Writer, Editor - Zooey Jeong ’25, Producer, Assistant Editor, and Sound Recorder - Alexa Jeong ’25, Director of Photography - Connor Wycoff ’25, Assistant Director - Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Lighting - KJ Paschall ’25

• The Sound of Fury & Solace

  • Director, Writer – Connor Wycoff ’25,  First Unit Director of Photography – Sam Green ‘25,  Second Unit Director of Photography – Connor Wycoff ’25, Assistant Director – Ben Shore ’25, Sound Recordist – Jordana Heubusch ’25,  Gaffer – Ava Burkin ’25, Script Supervisor – Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Cast: Damian Melendez-Galeano ’25, Nonie Shore, Dr. Wachowski, Erin Wycoff

• Blind Date

  • Director, Producer, Writer, Production Design - Nathan Danese ’25, Producer and First AD - Zoey Jeong ’25, Director of Photography - Jackson Barth ’25, Assistant Camera - Derek Kessler ’26, Lighting/Gaffer - Sam Green ’25, Sound Recordist - KJ Paschall ’25, Script Supervisor - Ava Burkin ’25, Cast - Damian Melendez-Galeano ’25, Riley Brown ’26, Antony Zakari ’24, Sherry Danese 

• Crescendo

  • Director, Producer, Writer, Editor  - Alexa Jeong  ’25, Director of Photography - Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Assistant Director - Julian Dans ’25, Sound -  Zooey Jeong ’25,  Lighting - Kamari Paschall ’25

• Puppets Seatbelt PSA

  • Director, Producer, Writer - Noah DeFanti ’26, Producer, Writer - Rachel Huang ’26, Producer, Camera, Editing - Mac Ladin ’26, Cast - Rachel Huang ’26, Noah De Fanti ’26, Mac Ladin ’26

Viewpoint School has built a strong relationship with the Calabasas Film Festival since it was established. The festival is a Calabasas City-sponsored event that provides the community an opportunity to connect. We were honored to be asked by founders and co-founders in 2014 to submit student films to the very first Calabasas Film Festival, and we have not missed a year since, proudly representing Viewpoint. Our students look forward to the festival every year as it is the first of their festival circuit that kicks off the school year with a great community-building event.