Nothin’ But Net: Teens earn glory from trick-shot videos. Bangor Daily News 9/5-6/09 p.B5
A group of students from Edward Little High School has earned fame but no fortune for creating trick shot videos. The students got their idea from watching videos on YouTube such as those created by “Dude Perfect”. They spent several weeks this past summer working on some improbable basketball shots. Once they had enough shots they edited the video and put it to music. Their first video was called “Shots ‘R’ Us”. It got so many hits they produced a second video called “Hoopcamp Edition”. When school started up this fall these students were considered celebrities.
My first thoughts on reading this story were about the technology involved. I was reminded of all the projects that have been produced by students at Sebasticook. Some of the presentations from last school year were quite good. In the past, students have created iMovies as well as slide shows. Some of those have also been quite good. My reaction was, “These high school kids have nothing on you.” We have a number of students who could produce outstanding videos. All they need is the equipment, the creative idea and a little bit of elbow grease.
When I first read the caption and the beginning of the story I thought the students had edited the film to “create” the shots. In other words I thought the incredible shots were made with camera tricks. As I read the article I realized that these boys actually worked to get these shots in. They had actually made all the trick shots. For the first video they would try a shot for 10 minutes. If it didn’t work by then they would go on to a different shot. For their second video one of the boys, a senior, spent FOUR HOURS trying to make a particular shot. That boy must have had time on his hands. I was impressed with his stick-to-it-tiveness. I wondered how many people his age would spend that much time trying to accomplish one thing. I wondered if he has the same determination when it came to other things.
I was impressed that this group of high school students would gain an audience. I haven’t viewed the videos yet, but they sound pretty cool. It impresses me that these students had an idea; they acted on it and stuck to it until it was completed. Yes, there are thousands of videos on YouTube, and anyone can post one. But I’m willing to bet not every video gets this kind of recognition. But again, they have nothing on you. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the talent we have in eighth grade produce something that would grab the attention of the world.