Reactions to filming Stories of Us at Irving
(10/30/07)
Meeting Chris was really surprising for me, he didn’t look at or act at all how I thought he would be. He was loose and easy going, he made me feel comfortable. His accent was AWESOME! Listening to him talk was really unusual and funny, the way he used different words for things like the trash can (rubbish bin) was weird (in a good way). Before I met him I was excited, it made school seem a little bit better (even just for a day) I felt special because I was in the only class (besides one) that got this chance. But I was also nervous because he would be taking notes, possibly picking who he would pick for the lead roles.

Anticipation…
(11/01/07)
I can’t wait to start the filming process and to get my part (whatever that may be). I love being spontaneous and fun, and I may finally get to do it on film, on something that the entire LPS school system might get to see. I love acting, so after this – I might find that this is what I want my career to be. After this, I’ll be able to know that I can accomplish a project like this and that I’ll have had fun.

Memorization of lines is a big one for me. When this is all done I want to be able to say, “I know that I can memorize something like this,” and I’ll be more confident in myself.

Bullying  is…
No self-confidence
Afraid
Jealous
Friendless
Hateful

(11/1/07)
Why I Am - In the Eyes of a Bully...

Feeling jealous, all alone
No ringing of the useless phone
Hating all my shameful thinking
Personality, love, it's all sinking.

It's not me, not anymore
Loved it all, all before
Afraid of my rise to power
How the weed suffocates the flower.

Meeting fear face to face
To put me in my rightful place
What I do is beat the rage
No matter what, can't turn the page.

Feel the tear burn my eye
Tears don't work, they never fly
Don't show emotion, can't be sad
Put it in motion, just be mad.

Hurting them they seemed so happy
Watching them it's all so sappy
Not loving this, but there is no out
They don't know what it's all about.

I just need help, someone to see
It's all inside, a hidden plee
Can't escape, can't see through
Creat some hope, make me new.

Auditions…
(11/06/07)
Auditioning wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. When my group went in, it was so natural for me, I was just myself. The hardest part was waiting for our parts. I didn’t know what I would do if I hadn’t gotten a main part in the movie. Even now, as the victim’s friend, I’m a little sour that I didn’t get the part of “the victim” but I’m still happy CC got that part. She deserved it. 

Bullying experiences…
(11/16/07)
I remember…
When I would get made fun of for my ears.
When I was asked to keep very important secrets.
When I was made fun of for crying.
When my friends were talking badly about an unusual girl.
I remember getting made fun of for being last to finish a test.
I remember a really good friend being called ugly behind her back.
Being broken up with and then told he had just wanted to see what it was like to have a girlfriend.
Being told I was an emotional baby.
Being told I was fat and not eating for the next couple of days.

(12/20/07)
In elementary school, my best friend and I got in a fight and she felt that I deserved payback. She started spreading nasty rumors about me so that everyone would hate me just like she did.

Reactions to the filming process…
(12/03/07)
I think it’s going really well and it’s really nice to be in control of some of the things happening in the movie. I can’t wait to actually start filming because I think it will be really fun, but also tough because it will be hard to stop from looking at the camera’s when I’m acting. Chris is doing a good job when it comes to preparing us for filming, but I think he has a harder time with us girls because we get off subject easily and like to talk a lot!

(12/20/07)
During the movie, I found myself very involved in the making, being able to add in my personal knowledge about bullying and how we could make this movie as real as possible. I got to know the roles and what takes place during bullying more clearly, and found new ways to deal with it.

This film's impact on you...
(12/20/07)
This movie impacted my life in more than one way. This movie with the help of everyone watching it, will change things - big or small. All changes are important.

This film's potential impact on others...
(12/20/07)
After seeing the movie, I think students will also benefit from seeing the inside works of bullying. The message I wanted to get across in my interview was that I want them to know how other people feel. Think first act later, and I think they'll get that I also think that this movie will get themexcied to make a difference and step towards ending bullying.