"School Boyz" teaser clip

In this scene, Aaron is hatching a scheme for this year's mega-prank on school staff. A quick flashback leads to cameo appearances made by some of James M. Hill's finest... ("the School Boyz" trailer is coming..)

Here is the original pitch for the story (although some of it may have changed a bit):

Three main characters, all teenagers, have their lives documented and recorded by a team of cameras that is never acknowledged, but a constant theme. The show breaks the fourth wall constantly, and the small town high school setting is a continuous vessel of hilarity. Schoolboyz would be filmed like a reality show, but with all the events and dialogue scripted. Each episode would follow the characters lives in high school. It would be filmed in a 'shoulder camera', fashion with private interview sequences filmed in a private place (such as the bathrooms). There would be a central theme for each episode but no real solution or moral to give the watcher something to learn from. It's like watching real life. Only funnier.

For more detail on the writing process of "School Boyz" check the comments section posted in October...

"I'd Rather Be Dead" - Video Clip

In this scene, Krunk has his first run-in with a door - read the pitch below for more details. Comments are encouraged!

Here is the original pitch for the story:

"I'd Rather Be Dead" is a sitcom idea based on a teenage boy who struggles to fit in at a new high school. Things are complicated because of the fact that he is a zombie. Krunk is a normal teenage boy hidden under layers of rotting flesh and an uncontrollable craving for brains. He has the I.Q of a turnip and like other teenagers struggles to fit in. He doesn't get the concept of doors, bowls, windows, or manners. But he can slowly learn with each passing day. Krunk's mother and father are like any other married couple. The mother cooks, cleans, and cares for her family and still is able to do all this with her career as a bio chemists. The father (also a zombie) stumbles around destroying the house in the search for brains. Each episode will explore different high school situations and how a zombie would deal with them. Staring with opening the front doors to get into the school. Krunk's mother is always preventing chaos and the death of their cat at the hands of krunk and his father. Krunk will constantly try to fit in different groups at school. Jocks, preps, nerds, you will see how he tries and fails. But also meets goods friends along the way, and maybe even love...

This is the first available clip of a full 10 minute pilot episode shot and developed by story creators: Nathan, John B., Brandon L., Kelsey R., and Jeff H.

Tell us what you think!

Group #9 "Glossy Cover"

Here is the pitch for Marley C-M, and Melissa W.'s story idea:

Set in the city, our sitcom deals with the relationships between four co-workers with extremely diverse personalities. While fighting to reach the top of their seemingly towering career ladder at one of the most prestige publishing companies in Canada, our main characters have to deal with relationships, meeting deadlines, a completely unreasonable boss, as well as their own friendships with each other. With three girls and a guy, our fast-paced show will be filed with estrogen, energy, excitement, and light to large shots of drama...

Check the comments section for character sketches and story springboards!

Group #8 "Midnight Mystery"

Here is Danielle and Kelsey's story pitch:

The show is about a detective who tries to solve a murder case where the victim whose his girlfriend. He goes on to find clues on the Chicago killer, but all the clues lead to his girlfriend’s younger twin sister. In the busy city of Chicago, an Irish detective named Alistair O’Malley is on the lookout for any clues on his girlfriend Erika’s murderer. Alistair starts bringing his snow white husky Echo along with him since he started hearing strange noises in his apartment at night.Alistair’s biggest lead on his only suspect is a single strand of hair found on the body, the hair belonging to a related female. He quickly suspects Abigail, Erika’s younger twin sister.

Check the comments section for further details...

Group #7 "The Search"

"The Search" story idea from Kim M., Brittany M., Melissa M., Lacey R., Greg:

There are 4 friends, (Lauren, Charlie, Tony and Liam). They met in their first year of university. Lauren goes out with Charlie, and Tony and Liam spend all their time trying to win her over. The 4 of them live in an apartment complex together in New York. This show is kind of like a “Friends” spin off.

On each episode Lauren spends the evening with each one of the men and tries to find which one is the best for her. After many days of dates, things going wrong and interruptions; she finally picks Charlie, while Tony and Liam are jealous and want to win her over...

Read the comments section for further details...

Group #6 "Revolution"

Here is Kristen F. and Jessica M.'s pitch on "Revolution" - Character descriptions included:

The idea for our show is that it follows four main characters, Jude, Brody, Julia, and Lucy, while they try to start a peaceful revolution. The characters will do everything peacefully, such as protesting etc. All four characters also have hobbies which include, stealing, and causing mischief. He is the main character he lives in an abandoned building, because he was kicked out of his parent’s house. He enjoys frozen pizza pockets, and Donkey Kong. Jude’s best friend is Brody. Brody still lives with his parents, and is in school on a special education program, although he is a smart character, he often gets kicked out for being bad. Brody is always eating pears and he comes through the window instead of the door. There are also two girls, Julia and Lucy. They are friends with the boys, and all four friends have relationships with each other. Julia has short blond hair, a tattoo, and is often seen wearing a vest. Lucy loves body paint, has long black hair that is always in braids, and frequently wears hats.

The Comments section has further details on character development and episode ideas...

Group #5 "Out of House"

"Out of House" by Samantha D., Samantha H., Andrea, Jordan:

The show will be a sitcom titled, Out of House, featuring four extremely different girls and their super-strict mentor. They all get kicked out of their houses and sent to live in a reform house for different reasons. Targets a youth audience. The girls struggle to live with each other and trying to outwit their mentor.
The show will highlight ridiculous situations that the girls get themselves into, whether it be trying to live with each other, or trying to outwit there mentor so they can do what they want when they want.

Character details and springboard ideas to follow in the comments section!

Group #4 "Pine Valley"

A "Corner Gas" meets "8 Simple Rules" by Shelby, Jessica, Charlotte, Drue, Kristie-Lee:

The show “Pine Valley” starts off in New York City, where there are scenes showing Erin Brown and her high classed life. Erin is a young teenage girl, seventeen years old, who had the high life with her top notch clothing from the most famous boutiques, and hottest hair Erin is a sweet and gentle person even though she likes her fortune and attention. In the middle of first semester in New York, Erin is told she has to move away to a small town 2,567 miles away in less than a week. Erin is upset by the idea of moving away from her friends, family, popularity, and her life! Once she moves to the small town, she feels alone, scared, and nervous. With her time, Erin usually explores the town, and talks to her neighbour Gerrtie Hutchinson. Gerrtie is a friendly elderly neighbour of the Browns. She is somewhat of a mentor to Erin. A typical episode of “Pine Valley” would consist of a problem most teens would relate to. The protagonist would solve the problem creatively and comically so that the show has both consistency and variety to offer the audience in each episode.

For more detail, see the comments section!

Group #3 " School Boyz"

Another fish out of water story with a different spin by Kyle, Mark, Aaron, and Corey:

Three main characters, all teenagers, have their lives documented and recorded by a team of cameras that is never acknowledged, but a constant theme. The show breaks the fourth wall constantly, and the small town high school setting is a continuous vessel of hilarity. Schoolboyz would be filmed like a reality show, but with all the events and dialogue scripted. Each episode would follow the characters lives in high school. It would be filmed in a 'shoulder camera', fashion with private interview sequences filmed in a private place (such as the bathrooms). There would be a central theme for each episode but no real solution or moral to give the watcher something to learn from. It's like watching real life. Only funnier.

Check out the comments section for character sketches and story springboards...

Group #2 "I'd Rather Be Dead"

This is an artist's rendering of the main character "Krunk". Here is a snippet on the story pitch. See the comments section for a full character sketch...

"I'd Rather Be Dead" is a sitcom idea based on a teenage boy who struggles to fit in at a new high school. Things are complicated because of the fact that he is a zombie. Each episode will explore different high school situations and how a zombie would deal with them. Staring with opening the front doors to get into the school. Krunk's mother is always preventing chaos and the death of their cat at the hands of krunk and his father. Krunk will constantly try to fit in different groups at school. Jocks, preps, nerds, you will see how he tries and fails. But also meets goods friends along the way, and maybe even love...

Group #1 "Three of a Kind"

The story pitch from Kylie, Kassandra, Melissa and Ashley:

It is about 3 girls who are complete opposites, their opinions and personalities continuously clash. They each go through school as if they are strangers but beyond the discrimination of high school and passed all the drama, they are the best of friends. Our target audience would be teenage girls and adults that can relate to the hilarious stories, and the dramatic plot lines. Each episode will involve a sort of dramatic event, filled with laughter, tears and anger. It will start out that the three girls will eventually decide that it would be better if they put their differences behind them at school, and stop hiding their true selves. Dramatic events cause the girls to have the most dramatic year of their lives. They go on an emotional rollercoaster, and they each try to stay friends, and keep their lives under control.

See the comments section for further detail!

Andrew Tidby visits James M. Hill Students

From October 3rd to the 5th JMH students had a guest presenter in their school. Andrew Tidby is a film and television producer/director (jack of ALL trades in the business) and owns his own production company (Tidby Pictures Ltd. - http://www.tidby.com/) which has produced several award winning Television shows and short films.

Andrew was on hand to discuss his experiences, how he worked his way up from a lowly assistant camera operator and assistant editor position to calling the shots on million dollar budget shoots and promoting Canadian Television content worldwide.

The students had an inspirational experience with Andrew and are eager to take their projects to the next level!

In this Post, students share their impressions on the experience. Click on the comments section to read more...

JMH Writing 110 and Media 110 Students Collaborate with Andrew Tidby

Mr. Jamie O'Toole and Mr. Robin Martin have introduced an innovative collaborative project with their Media Studies and Writing classes. Melissa W., a student in Mr. O'Toole's Broadcast Journalism class wrote this about the project in the Monday, October 22nd edition of the District 16 Report. She had this to say:

Writing and Media Studies students at JMH collaborate
By Melissa W.
Students at James M. Hill in Mr. Robin Martin’s Writing 110 class and Mr. Jamie O’Toole’s Media Studies 120 class are collaborating their interests and talents to create television shows. They will be working with special guest Andrew Tidby, of Tidby Pictures Production Company throughout the semester.

Thoughts on the collaboration began last year between Mr. Martin and Mr. O’Toole. The addition of Andrew Tidby was an unexpected bonus. “Mr. Martin and I always saw the opportunity to get the classes together and when we had Andrew Tidby come in, he made the idea possible,” said Mr. O’Toole.

Mr. Martin will be working with his writing class to produce a script for the television shows. The scripts will then be handed on to Mr. O’Toole’s Media Studies students, who will produce a video.

Students in both classes are really excited about this project. While working in groups, students came up with their own ideas for television shows. Andrew Tidby helped start the project off on the right foot. “With his contagious energy, it’s hard not to get excited,” said Mr. Martin.

After working with the students last week, Andrew Tidby has returned home to St. John. However, his work with this project will continue. Eventually, Martin and O’Toole will have their groups post to an online blog, which will also be accessible to Tidby in St. John. This will allow both teachers, as well as Tidby, to comment on the students’ work.

Originally, both teachers just wanted to do a very special project, something that would make the students proud of their own work and show off their creative abilities. However, Tidby has become so impressed with the ideas and the amount of creativity shown by the students, that he is now looking forward to bringing his production company to the Miramichi, and helping students’ ideas come to life.

With Tidby’s involvement, the students have now been given the opportunity to work with professionals outside the classroom. “When given the right medium to express their ideas, they will want to do a good job,” said Mr. Martin. The project is now underway and it will be interesting to see its eventual outcome.