Spotlight: Local Film Students
THAT’S A WRAP KERI BOWERS AND TAYLOR CROSS Keri Bowers’ son Taylor is autistic. He is also an award-winning filmmaker. Taylor and Keri have been making films together since his 15th birthday. That was the year he decided that he wanted to make a film to raise money to buy holiday gifts for less fortunate families. Keri says, “I believe that when we put out energy in the world, good or bad, we often find exactly what we are looking for.” And opportunities they found. Keri and Taylor’s film “Normal People Scare Me” is a film about people affected by autism, made by a teen with autism. Naturally, the film went on to win many awards and garnered international attention. Keri remembers the determination Taylor had when working on his film. “I told you so, Mom,” he said. I told you I could sell my films.” Now, 10 years later, he says that “Normal People Scare Me Too” is in production, set to be completed in early 2016.
NOAH KENTIS Noah Kentis spent two years in the Careers in Entertainment Academy (CEA) program of El Camino Real Charter High School. Now, his film “Delirium” is winning awards at the L.A. Student Media Film Festival and being admitted to the Cannes Film Festival. “[CEA] is an incredible film program and has taught me a lot,” says Noah. “I also feel that a lot of what I have learned comes from hands-on experience.” Even today, Noah continues to work with the young filmmakers he met while attending CEA. “I tend to work with the same people. We all work extremely well together.” He primarily enjoys making films that evoke emotion in his audience, namely horror and comedy. He says intuitively, “There is power in everything.”
90
Calabasas Style