Students film version of “Ghostbusters”

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Ghostbuster video

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Updated: January 16, 2012 9:55AM

Intro

Exterior shot of school. Large thunderstorm with lightning. Ghosts flying above the school and a large vortex of light shooting down.

Such are the opening moments of this year’s annual feature video “BHS Ghostbusters,” by award-winning Barrington High School video students.

For three days a band of about a dozen video students gathered in studios, hallways and the fall rain to film the spoof with school themes.

The cast includes random students, teachers and special-effects nebulae.

BHS Ghostbusters Abe Solberg, Bryan Dolan and Eric Beightol act throughout the short video with special effects ghosts that roar and a giant Bronco Billy who threatens to crush the school with his fuzzy hoof.

Writer/Director Solberg said he wrote the script to feature the technical prowess of the Barrington High School video team, mainly those of special effects editor Sam Powell.

So the BHS Ghostbusters act and react to nothingness, which makes sense later when Powell adds a 100-foot-Bronco Billy, a floating ghost librarian, auras, lightning, and bright “nuclear-powered” plasma rays that jump and crackle.

“We were trying to showcase Sam’s ability,” said Solberg, whose writing and directing dominates the video.

At the video’s outset, a hyperkinetic energy disturbance begins with smartboards then spreads to slime attacks.

The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man character in the original 1984 film is spoofed by mascot Bronco Billy, blown-up to a giant size thanks to Powell’s wizardry.

What more could
happen?

“Try to imagine all BHS Pride stopping, instantaneously, and every molecule of school spirit exploding at the speed of light,” says Solberg’s Egon Spengler, played by Harold Ramis in the movie.

Cameramen John Bach, Austin Czarnecki and Ryan Woodlock film multiple takes and angles with three different cameras. Chris Tessarollo tracks sound effects.

Ghostbuster jumpsuits are donned and plastic nerf guns substitute as plasma ray guns.

The BHS Ghostbusters are in a frenzy to save the school so there are scenes of them running up stadium stairs and down hallways to soundtracks.

Running with abandon, Beightol jumps a chair. Coaches Joe Sanchez and Scott Steib nearly get bowled over.

At the height of the running, Solberg stops to get a sip at a water fountain.

Hey, he was thirsty.

Some film takes are better than others.

In one outtake, Powell throws a green slime mixture at Kelly Stickney, who plays herself as the high school’s “In the Know” reporter. But the slime falls short, sounding like a “plop.”

Another time the slime is too liquid and gets in her eyes and mouth.

Some outtakes reflect teenage priorities.

While in front of a green screen, acting like a giant Bronco Billy crushing things, Peter Chung stops the action and takes off his horse head.

“Someone is calling me,” he says, and starts talking.

Jokes and impromptu dancing also lighten the set’s mood.

Still, some takes are just right.

A great scene is easy to spot because Bach has his signature phrase.

“That was sick,” Bach says. “That was sooo sick.”

Powell has a fondness for the term, “swag,” as in swagger. Good scene? This calls for a fist bump and a, “Swag!”

In fact, the term ‘swag’ also applies to a group of friends calling themselves “Team Swag,” who “look good and act good,” Powell says. One of many inside jokes, “Seam Twag” got a special thanks in the film credits.

The camaraderie behind the scenes make the long days go faster, nevertheless, hunger and fatigue can become a factor after the sixth hour filming.

It rained on two days of taping and cameras were wrapped in clear plastic as the student actors fought off shivering long enough for their lines.

The weather, too, seemed to add to the teamwork.

“We’re down for anything Abe,” Bach shouted at one point, as rain and cold surrounded the press box at the football field.

“Abe, why did you write an outside shot,” yelled another crew member.

Solberg got so cold at one point he said, “I don’t feel anything right now.”

The entire school is their video set for these annual videos so they time a crowd shot for the end of the school day. As kids are leaving, the video team asks them to stay to cheer in front of the library, at the school’s main entrance.

Zeitgeist

Outside library with all kids in hallway

Ghostbusters walk out of library to see nervous students.

We got her

Students go wild (cheer)

More than 100 students, all on their way out of school at the end of the day become part of the video. They all seem to be aware of the video team’s status at the school and agree to stop and be part of the fun.

The actors and crew do their jobs perfectly and the scene is finished in a single take.

That was a few weeks ago and the film has already garnered hundreds of hits on YouTube.

“I’d love to do something like this again,” Powell said. “It was fun, it wasn’t like it was all serious all the time.”

Solberg said he’s enjoying his new found status among fellow students

“People who see me walking down the hallway yell, ‘Hey Ghostbusters,’” said Solberg.

The video becomes part of this year’s growing archive of films, BHS Ghostbusters also becomes part of the Class of 2012’s zeitgeist.