Q: We understand that you already have a career even though you are still in high school.
A: Well (laughing), I’m working on it. I guess you’d call me a videographer.
Q: What do you do?
A: Throughout high school, I’ve volunteered to tape the football
games for the end-of-the-season highlights film for the team and the coaches. During basketball season, I actually get paid a little stipend to tape the games because the coaches use them right away.
I also do some video work at my church and am working on a promotional video for the church kids camp as my senior project.
Then recently I produced a 30-second website commercial for a company that makes biodegradable dog poop bags. My sister and a friend are in it, and we used our Havanese poodles Paco and Polo as the stars. It took hundreds of hours to make, and it isn’t really my thing, but I was paid well.
Q: So taping weddings isn’t on your to-do list?
A: No way. Too stressful. You make a mistake and you can’t go back.
Q: How did you get into video?
A: In my freshman year I had an open period and thought the video class would be fun and easy. Well, it wasn’t, but my teacher, Erik Heinz, is great and he did a good job giving us the fundamentals of video production. It was very time-consuming and tedious work, but I began to like it. Now I love what I do, and I love to work.
Q: What’s the next step?
A: My grades aren’t the best, but I want to attend the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University. I hope my work in high school gives me an advantage.
My goal is to work for ESPN filming football, basketball or soccer games. I’ve known since I was a little kid that I wanted a job in sports. It’s not a matter of wanting to play sports, though I do like pick-up basketball with friends. If I can do this for a career, I’m going to get paid to watch sports. Huge bonus.
Q: In the meantime, you’re walking the sidelines at high school football games?
A: Yeah, you know Arlington has a good football team, but our loss to Lake Stevens was a heartbreaker. I think that’s why we came out so strong against Stanwood.
Q: When you watch college or professional sports, do you find yourself judging the cameraman?
A: Oh, yeah. When the guy behind the camera messes up, it drives me crazy. I could do better!
Q: Do you own a video camera?
A: No, the equipment I use at school is far too expensive for me. But unless I do freelance work, I should never have to buy my own camera. I would buy a car before I could afford to buy a good camera.
My grandparents are planning to get me a MacBook Pro so I can do some film editing at home and then take it with me to college. My family is pleased that I already have a career focus and they’re very supportive. I’m really looking forward to the future.
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Know a super kid? Contact Gale Fiege at 425-339-3427 or email gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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