There is no doubt that Julian Solimo and Henry Slater make a big difference in the artistic world. They are both the founders of James Caldwell High School’s A/V and Film Club. Julian Solimo stated “… we were lucky enough to be given opportunities to do what we love inside school walls. This was the reason we were able to enter the ‘New Jersey High School Film Challenge’.” This challenge was for them to write, record, or edit a short film within a week. In the end, the short film they released was able to win the contest for Best Screenplay, and additionally won them the Montclair Emerging Filmmakers Award for Drama and the Shine Global Resilience Award. This opportunity gave them a $500 reward, setting them up with future success and resources for their next film. Julian added, “To get this sort of recognition for your first project was unbelievable, and opened so many more paths and opportunities for us to keep creating.”
Behind their artwork choices, Julian stated that art needs to be personal to him. This is a perfect quality for an artist to have because when one’s own art speaks to them, their creative thoughts can start flowing more fluently, and has a better chance of sharing the intended message to the viewers as well. The artists are currently working on a “Once a Reader Always a Reader” painting in the library. This piece of art will feature many iconic characters from classic reads including; Greg Heffley, Carol, Winnie the Pooh, Holden, and a character from The Giving Tree.
Not only are they very talented in art and film making, but they also have a great interest in reviewing films. Julian and Henry are in the process of making a series in The Caldron about reviewing certain films. When asked about what qualities a film should have from them to consider it to be a “good watch,” Henry explained, “A good filmmaker knows how to keep the viewer engaged, so usually good pacing and writing working together contributes to a good experience. But in the end, everything is subjective, so what some people think is high art is the complete opposite in other people’s eyes.” Henry is able to touch on his opinions, as well as show his realization about how everyone can have different opinions, and it is what makes art so beautiful to many different types of people in many different ways.
The artists were also asked about how they pick a film to review each month, and both gave different yet cohesive responses. Henry first added, “We usually just kinda go for either what is seasonally relevant, or just whatever we feel like.” Julian followed with, “The good part about having monthly reviews means that the movies come to us.” These both show importance in their choices of movies, although they are slightly different reasons, they still make sense and go with each other smoothly.
Henry also stated that the film they are reviewing now, they are reviewing because he saw it at a thrift store, and thought the cover looked “insane.” So, it can really be the simplest reason a film can speak to them, showing the importance of appearance of films, even before the opening credits start rolling, and the relevance of the films once they find out what it is about.
Their talents do not stop after high school. Henry stated that after high school he wants to study film in college. He added that, “It’s a really competitive field and it’s also really hard to get your name out there, but I’m honestly content being in any part of the film industry.” This shows that Henry’s love for art is not just about his own success, but more importantly, his enjoyment in what he pursues in his future. In addition, Julian would like to attend film school. He hopes to get into an art program in the city and see what happens from there. Julian dreams to, “… keep working on personal short films in school while working and interning at production companies. Besides film, I would love to keep working on music throughout my life.” He has a wide range of artistic interests, and this open mind is an advantage in the art world.
Both of these artists have been very talented at such a young age, and when they carry on with their artwork, film making, and film reviews, they will continue to set themselves up to have a very bright future ahead of them. It is clear that their talents will be able to take them further than they may know.
