Cinepost youth series has international aspirations

Saskatoon – Cinepost Films is currently in production on season two of High School Confidential, a half-hour magazine series written, directed and filmed by high school students for their peers. Students also act as hosts on the innovative blend of drama and nonfiction programming, airing on SCN.

The 13-part series, which costs less than $4,000 per ep, is executive produced by Cinepost president Bill Stampe and produced by Melody Lindblom. Both also write.

New to the show this season is Daniel Hargrove, who will direct segments from 12 youth hosts. John Mills edits and Darryl Kessler is DOP. Production on season two started in the spring and three episodes have been completed.

The concept for High School Confidential was developed in spring 2002, with the first episodes airing that fall. In its first season, the show received submissions from students across Western Canada, including Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, but this year has also received submissions from as far away as Europe and the U.S., a development which is encouraging for Stampe, who says he hopes to interest national and international broadcasters in the youth series. Laura Bracken