After two brainstorming sessions of students willing to be on the production team led by producer Johnathan Kruis, the concept for the winning film “Maxumentary” was developed:  making a documentary about making a film.  Taking this idea, possible scenes and story arches were developed the first night of the challenge. Realizing that there were few gaps in the class schedule the next day, the team agreed to meet at 5 am the next morning, on Resident Director Courtney Withington’s suggestion that morning light is excellent for film making.

In the early morning darkness, cast members filmed for several hours, energized by coffee and doughnuts. “It was really early,” student actress Shelli Cammenga remembered.  ”One of the funniest moments was when we decided we wanted Dane to play the tiger – Johnathan knocked on his door and was like “Hey! You want to be in our movie? Put this on!” and he came out with his perfect sleepy eyes – film gold!”  In the afternoon, the morning’s footage was edited, and that evening the final scenes were filmed. The final cut of the film was done by three am the next morning and the film was  uploaded and officially entered into the contest.  Though many scenes had clear direction, actors were required to do a lot of impromptu, which added to the experience for some of them. In the words of actor Sam Bice, “Being able to make up your own lines helped me put more of myself into my acting.” The rapport between actors and team members played a big part in the smoothness of the film’s production. “I’ve worked on other films before,” Johnathan said, “But this one was different because everyone worked well together, and it came off flawlessly.”

Another key to producing a good film is a good editing crew, which in this case was Aaron Grimes and Vaan Huyhn. Max Belz, who played the director in the film, gave them a special nod, saying what they did was almost like a magic trick. “I was impressed by the students’ ability,” he said, “I think what they did was actually kind of magical, it didn’t feel like we had a lot of content, but a good job was done editing and shooting and they made nothing into something. I am really proud.”  He also felt that Providence had something to offer to aspiring student movie makers, just by way of being in Pasadena.  “Because of our location, we were able to shoot outside,” he noted, mentioning how good the outdoor lighting was and that it is something a school in California should be able to do well.

Last Friday, the final awards were presented, while Providence students wondered from across the country. Unable to watch the ceremonies in total, the team asked Dordt student Erinna Gabrielse to attend the ceremony in their stead. Erinna is from Ontario, California and knows many of the Providence students because they attend her home church.  She reported that she was surprised by the win, and even fumbled the plaque upon accepting it. “Everyone gasped,” she remembered, “But really, Providence’s was the best film, even of the high school and post college categories too. People were impressed. They liked the scene where Max was chasing the DP, and quite a few said they wished the blond guy (Ian) went to Dordt.”

Several Providence Productions members were together at an L.A. art museum when they heard the news. “I was blown away,” director Johnathan Kruis responded amazedly, “I couldn’t believe it, I am so proud for the school.”

“I knew we had something special, but I hardly dared to hope we would actually win,” Shelli agreed. Communications Professor Troy Lamberth, also expressed how proud he was of his students.

The win was a special honor for Providence, as this is only the second year they have entered the contest. “I think it should get people excited about what we can do,” Max reflected. “Even with limited resources we were able to produce something really great.”  The win should help with these mentioned limited resources; the prize included a five hundred dollar check towards the film program along with the coveted “Dordty” plaque. With the campus still buzzing with the news, spirits are high. According to Sam Bice, who played a leading role, “The next step is Hollywood!” however, another lead actor, Ian Harriman, was a little less enthused, deciding that “It was great, but it needed a dolphin rig!”.

Providence Productions Team Members are: Johnathan Kruis, Shelli Cammenga, Vaan Huynh, Aaron Grimes and Ian Harriman.

To watch the film and see the official award website, click the link below:

http://www.dordt.edu/cgi-bin/events/film_challenge/films.pl?year=2012

The banquet will be held on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the
Pomona Valley Mining Company in Pomona, California.

Social time begins at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert Godfrey

There is no charge for the dinner but you will be given an opportunity to
make a donation to help sponsor student scholarships.

Please RSVP below by March 21, 2012.

For further inquiry please contact Ruby Bleeker.
Phone: 626-696-4009
Email:  ruby.bleeker@providencecc.net

[contact-form-7]

Register online by March 28

Contact Steve at 626.696.4000 or athletics@providencecc.net for any questions.

Read the story and the newest issue of The Beggar Blade here:

http://thebeggarblade.com/news/2012/02/10/students-embark-on-the-jewish-cultural-study-avodah/

For a small college, Providence has a large amount of clubs. These include Evangelism, Students for Life, Ballroom Dance Club, Sign Club, Art Club, and Tennis among others. The reason for the large number of clubs is that any student can start a club if they take the initiative to find interested fellow students, and submit a club constitution for approval. Because of the student-led nature of the program, some clubs are more active than others, but each has something to offer the community. Junior Justin Bond, member of the Evangelism Club, finds the size of the college to be positive, “Because of the size people are able to be involved and make a difference. There is plenty of room to make ideas and visions come to life through creating a club and also impact the college/local community.”

One of the largest and most active clubs is the Ballroom Dance Club, led by Junior Libby Barnard, who started the club in her freshman year.  “I participated in ballroom dancing all through high school… we had so much fun,” she reflected, “When I mentioned the idea at Providence it seemed like something people were interested in, so I went for it.” Last semester the club consisted largely of on campus instruction by Barnard herself, and a trip to a local Contra Dance, which was a huge hit with the members. Freshman Danielle Dirksen raved, “It was such an awesome activity to be introduced to… I never even knew things like Saturday night contra-dances even existed.” She liked that it was good exercise, affordable, and more social than using the same money on a movie. This semester the club intends to spend much of its time attending more local Swing and Contra Dances in the community.

Another club which is involved in the local community is the Students for Life Club which invited all of the students on campus to hold a candlelight vigil with them at Planned Parenthood a few weeks ago. Club leader Shara Guengerich said the vigil was “not only to remember the children who have been legally killed through abortion for the past 39 years, but to also to give a taste of what our club does to the rest of the student body.” Guengrich started this club after years of pro-life activism before college and has been encouraged by the response on campus. She aims to give students a taste of how they can be involved in the fight during college so they can effectively continue to defend the right to life in whatever capacity for the rest of their lives.

The clubs program also builds a closer community on campus, and has a strong social aspect. According to senior Jana Crum, “Clubs are a great way for students to gather around a shared interest. It has encouraged students to develop their unique gifts and passions.” Clubs add character to the institution and make Providence a vibrant place. For instance, the Sign Club occasionally signs during singing in chapel, and the Art Club sometimes provides art to add to open mic nights, Family Weekend or the Variety Show.  Tennis Club is also a great way to spend time exercising with friends.

Not only are clubs a constructive way to use spare time and build friendships, they are a way of experiencing more of God’s world and giving back to the community. Though it may be a young and small institution, Providence offers many opportunities for students to be nurtured, challenged and involved through the Clubs Program.

71 Students
7:1 Student to Faculty ratio

12 states
3 provinces
2 foreign countries

37% Male
63% Female
68% Reformed

Top 5 States and Provinces
California (54%), Arizona (13%), Michigan (7%), Alberta (7%), British Columbia (5%)

Freshmen Profile
3.46 Average H.S GPA
17% homeschooled, 22% public school, 61% Christian school

8 seniors graduating spring 2012

94% of graduating students have found jobs or been accepted to graduate schools within six months of graduating from Providence

Want to explore being a Sea Beggar or know someone who might be a great student for Providence?
Contact our Admissions Staff for more information.
We are still taking applications for the fall semester so apply now!
Check out one of our spring Visit Days or stop by campus any time you can…we’ll be here!