For a program designed to allow students to “figure it out,” a new video by a multi-media class presented a new kind of challenge that was a first for the Utica Center for Science and Industry.

The video – an action genre piece called “The Last Pizza Slice” – was the first production that featured a process called “stitching” – or “oner” -  where sections were shot and later connected together to give the appearance of one continuous film. 

Using the film “1917” as a guide, the process required students to plan their projects in a whole new way.

“It takes a significant amount of planning, and rehearsal for each shot,” said CSI multimedia teacher Michael Allore. “You have to know how to end each shot and how to start the next one to blend them together. Trying to get a shot designed, blocked, rehearsed, and filmed successfully in one class period a day while organizing a large number of participants was a significant challenge.”

Students were proud of the result.

“Shooting a film in this particular way was something that our class had never tried before and it was a fun learning experience for all of us,” said Arabella Vachon. “One of my favorite parts of our multimedia class is when we get to do big group projects like this. It’s so rewarding when you watch the finished product after knowing how much work you put into it. It really shows how filmmaking can bring people together while being fun at the same time.”

Samantha Kromrei described the production as a team effort.

“A lot of the work went into having groups brainstorm ideas for different sections that we would be able to seamlessly stitch together into a one take film,” she said. “It was inspiring to see everyone’s creative process, and fun to figure out where the pizza would go after each take.”

Matthew Desantis-Miniuk worked on both the recording and audio for the production, as well as having a short role.

“Overall, in my opinion, it was an amazing time to work on with my class,” he said. “I feel that we not only have a product we should all be proud of, but it also helped bring the class together through a more “all-inclusive” project for everyone.”