Behind the Scenes of GFAN

Note: This article was originally written for the January 2020 edition of the Beachside Press.

By William San Jose '22

The fall edition of GFAN screened on December 6, 2019, and featured student-made videos about a variety of subjects, ranging from documentaries to horror films.

Video teacher, Ms. al-Sawaf, worked with her Advanced Video class to put together the films. “I try to make it student-run,” Ms. al-Sawaf said. “People may not understand a lot of this work is coming from video classes.”

Ms. al-Sawaf, who is in her third year at GFA, said GFAN was previously “a lot edgier,” and has made an effort to turn GFAN into a “real film screening.”

“The idea of GFAN has changed,” Ms. al-Sawaf remarked, adding that GFAN is beginning to consist of more “intelligent” and “collaborative” work.

The process of creating GFAN begins up to a year before it is eventually shown, with some videos being intentionally held for future screenings.

A week before the screening is dedicated to editing all the films together, adjusting the audio, and receiving approval for each film to be shown.

Ms. al-Sawaf said the main purpose of GFAN is for students to have a chance to screen their work for an audience. “I think it’s awesome for students who made work to show it to the community,” she stated. “It opens up the community in a subliminal way.”

Ms. al-Sawaf added that GFAN is one of the only ways video students can show their work to the rest of the school. “It’s hard to put it in the gallery, it’s hard to put it on the monitors,” she insisted. “I want to hear other people’s reactions.”

This fall, GFAN contained 14 films. “I’m so appreciative of all the work that’s there,” Ms. al-Sawaf said.

The spring edition of GFAN will screen on May 15, 2020.