Pan up on a film crew with all the members paying attention to the focused, driven director, who is calling out instructions to the others.

The director is senior Hanna Reynolds, the founder of the new Cinematic Arts Club.

Reynolds is fresh off her experience at the University of Southern California’s Summer Cinema program, where she worked with professional filmmakers to learn how to make short films during a very intense five-week boot camp.

She made two individual short films and collaborated with other students in the program to make a group project.  She was responsible for every piece of filmmaking, from directing to set design, for her individual films.

“I learned more in this program than in my entire life,”  said Reynolds, who was one of 300 students in the program.

Reynolds got into filmmaking her sophomore year because of her love of art, transitioning from illustration to animation.  Now, she is passionate about making live-action films.

When she realized that many other students on campus shared this passion, she decided to form a club where they could share this love: the  Cinematic Arts Club.

“I just asked some friends that were also passionate about films, and I got the idea for a club last year,” Reynolds said.

Cal High now has its own budding film club with screenwriters, directors, producers, and more. The Cinematic Arts club is oriented around making short films to showcase students’ skill in making movies.

The club is divided into four groups, with each group making a movie at the same time. Every group has a director, writer and actors.  Students also take on other jobs required for filmmaking , such as cinematographers, makeup artists and many kinds of designers.

“I want a club where everyone works together,” Reynolds said. “The Cinematic Arts Club is where you have the opportunity to get in groups to create student short films.”

The club meets in English teacher Sean King’s room (room 312) at lunch on Thursdays to discuss their films, to make script revisions, and to put together groups to make upcoming projects.

Each meeting also consists of critiquing script ideas and pitching new ideas. Reynolds consults with the multiple groups about their projects.

“It’s a great experience for students,” said junior Courtney Haynes, a club member. “I think it’s going to be fun to be in a place where people interested in all aspects of film can go.”

King agreed to serve as the club adviser because he’s had Reynolds in his class and he was impressed with her as a student and person.

“I like the idea of passionate kids getting together,” King said.

The club also receives help from engineering teacher Steve Dick, who supplies students with cameras for their projects.

With their professional equipment, great ideas and fearless leader, there’s nothing stopping club members from creating fantastic movies.

“I want to teach members how to make films and then send them to festivals,” Reynolds said.  “I want to create something awesome.”

Three films are currently in the making, and Reynolds plans on showing all of them before Thanksgiving break.

One of these films is called “Lovely Head” and will be finished soon. The film is about a girl with multi-personality disorder who struggles as each personality vies to be her primary personality.

“This project took a lot of production design,” Reynolds said.

There are about 30 students in the club, and many of them seem very excited about the chance to make their own films this year.

The Cinematic Arts Club also generated a lot of interest from students at the annual Club Faire on Sept. 27.

“I always like screen-writing, and it’s cool that there’s a club that lets me do it,” sophomore Dean Piechalski said.

Junior Jose Vasquez was also interested in the club.

“I came to the booth because I thought it was a club where you watch movies,” Vasquez said.  “When I heard they made movies, I was even more excited.”

Added sophomore Jamie Jensen, “The club is interesting.  [Reynolds] knows what she wants and has influence.”

Reynolds wants passionate people to learn how to make short films together, and build skills that can help them later in life.

“If you like photography, music, films, writing, or even business,” Reynolds said, “you are welcome here.”