The cafeteria buzzes with an amalgamation of voices. Students are humming with the feeling of final moments and you can feel the deadline creeping up to you by even just observing. Storyboards flood the tables like an extra piece amongst the people, tangible in a way that thickens the air and seeps into conversations. Students of Roll the Tape are now sharing their final meeting.
Roll the Tape club, with 27 members, has been working for nine months to produce an animated short film, including a musical feature. The club had its last meeting on Friday, May 8 to prepare for their upcoming screening, but also to reminisce on their shared journey.
In the wake of Roll the Tape’s final gathering, members shared their feelings about that last day.
“I feel a little sad, but I also feel fulfilled that I was able to be here and be alongside all the great people I’ve met throughout the year,” said freshman Gunner Seely, a storyboard artist and voice actor for Roll the Tape.
Sophomore Wiley Robertson, another member of Roll the Tape, shares how content he is with the wrapping of the project.
“I’m glad to know I could meet all these people,” Robertson said. “Glad to know that I could learn how to do all the things that I’ve done while working on this project while knowing that I’m passionate about something.”
The Roll the Tape Director, sophomore Phoebe Jean-Pierre, acknowledges how the club has progressed since the beginning of the school year.
“I can’t believe we made it this far; we’ve completed all that we wanted to do,” Jean-Pierre said. “We made a song, we have the film and everyone is together. I feel accomplished.”
Jean-Pierre also sees Roll the Tape club as a place of inclusion.
“Roll the Tape is ultimately a place where those who don’t fit in with social norms can come in, show their skills and work and be able to have their time to shine,” she said.
An animator in Roll the Tape, sophomore Zoe Franxman, shares her desire for those who watch the short film.
“I have worked really hard on [Roll the Tape] and hope that anyone who watches it will be able to understand that,” Franxman said.
Jean-Pierre also expresses her hope with the screening.
“[If the audience walks away with an emotion] it should be joy,” she said. “This film is just full of wacky humor and just so many fun things. I really hope that people come out of it feeling refreshed, joyful and just appreciative that the students who go here made the film.”
The short film, titled “Roll the Tape” has showings with free admission in the LGI from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13.
