Nine current and former students from GCC’s Film & Media program participated in the production of a documentary film titled, Jewel of the Desert, by International Award-Winning filmmaker Mary Apick. The students and program alumni, along with professor Stephanie Lucas, served as Production Assistants for the documentary which will have its red carpet premiere on January 14th, in Surprise.
By serving as production assistants, the GCC students were able to get hands-on experience working on a film set, and participate in all aspects of production--from working with talent, organizing gear, to operating multiple cameras. The experience enabled them to hone their skills and expand their knowledge of the filmmaking process.
GCC had another part to play in the creation of this documentary; key filming took place in Glendale Community College’s Performing Arts Center.
The title of the one-hour documentary, Jewel of the Desert, aptly describes the town of Surprise, Arizona, and the talented brass band whose members live and perform there. The Desert Brass Band has been putting on shows in the West Phoenix area for 26 years, always to critical acclaim.
What makes the Desert Brass Band, and the movie, so special is the fact that it is composed exclusively of members of a retirement community. The thirty-eight musicians in the band are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s; and are getting together for one last push for the freedom and joy music provides.
The intention of the filmmaker Mary Apick had in making this documentary is to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams, to never give up creating, and to pay it forward. In other words, to be like the members of the Desert Brass Band.
The documentary combines interviews and performances, with individual band members explaining how and why they undertook this adventure and what their family and friends think, including a five-year-old girl, Abigail, who dreams of becoming a musician.
GCC’s Film and Media Production program is an academic-based curriculum that combines the technical, artistic, and historic elements of film and television production. Students receive comprehensive instruction in craft, process, and theory behind visual storytelling, with hands-on experience in all major production areas including writing, producing, cinematography, audio, directing and editing. The Documentary Production Certificate offered at GCC is the only of its kind in Maricopa County.