Glyn Sandzen ’73 Unveils LeeFest
Student Film Festival Will Honor Memory of Lee Roche ’09

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"A film festival about celebrating life."

Those were the words Glyn Sandzen, Lee Roche's mother, used to describe LeeFest, when she unveiled the program to the Upper School during assembly on May 2, saying that "it's a program that embodies all Lee was to you."



Before describing LeeFest, she showed a four-minute video celebrating Lee and his photographs. It was set to one of his favorite songs, "Stay Forever," by Ween.

Remembering Lee Roche
Remembering her son, Sandzen said, "Lee's creativity was not limited to a particular area or talent. He had a love for music from birth--played piano and bass guitar by ear and could sing on key with a wonderful rich voice. He drew incredibly well in his own style (like everything he did!). He wrote intriguing prose, opinionated movie reviews, sensual poetry, and intricate screenplays. His talent in photography was remarkable--even relucent. His passion culminated in film. From screenwriting to film editing to special effects to production, Lee educated himself and cultivated his expertise with intentionality. Yet it came so naturally to him.

"Had he lived and become an adult, there is no doubt in my mind that Lee would have chosen this path for his career."

She quoted, too, the words of Sarah White, "a 2007 CCES graduate with an incredible talent in photography." When White was asked in an interview who had the greatest influence on her work, she replied, "Lee Roche. He was a good friend of mine in high school, and we used to have the best conversations about photography, film, and music. No matter how much I thought I knew on the subjects, he always knew more. We worked together on a couple of projects, and I learned a lot from him. Now, only his spirit and memories are with me, but he keeps me going."

An Impassioned Plea
Digressing briefly from her prepared remarks, Sandzen recounted an anecdote she had found in Lee's files: someone holds up a $20 bill and asks who wants it--everyone, of course. The bill is crumpled, then stomped on, but, still, everyone wants it. Intently, she looked out on her audience of students in the Upper School, and told them that at times, we all are like that $20 bill, a bit crushed and trampled--yet still we are wanted and loved. Her plea was impassioned: remember this, she said.

LeeFest Is For All Students
LeeFest is made possible by the many contributions made to the CCES Arts Guild in Lee Roche's memory. Next fall the school will bring in a guest artist in residence, who will launch the program by teaching students about making a film.




Following the artist's visit, she explained, "students will form teams of two to five people to create a film. The students will be given use of Apple computers and Final Cut Express editing software, digital camcorders, and all the equipment necessary to make a short film. These films will be shown at our premier LeeFest event, a non-competitive venue, early in 2009."

Sandzen emphasized that "LeeFest is for all students, not just filmmakers, because there are so many different components that go into making a film. For students of literature, your niche may be writing or editing. For those of you who are good at math, your talents are needed in the areas of producing and budgeting. For the music, students may use songs submitted by local musicians, or they can create their own soundtracks using Apple's Garageband software available through this program.

"As the technology is now incredibly easy to use and plenty of assistance will be available to you, there is no reason not to embrace this fabulous opportunity to use your own originality as well as learn a skill that you can put to use in other parts of your life!"

The LeeFest Blog
Upper School Graphic Arts teacher Dan Harris has launched a LeeFest blog that will keep students informed about the competition. Student film entries will also be available on the blog.

According to Harris, "LeeFest will provide an opportunity for students with multiple learning styles to succeed and to demonstrate their individual strengths, whether it is in writing, photography, directing, acting, or editing. Each student will have an important role while working as part of a team.

"Twenty-first-century skills, such as innovation, collaboration, critical thinking and teamwork, are goals that we strive to instill in our students. LeeFest will further these skills by allowing students to create videos that incorporate investigation, research, production and presentation.

"As an added plus, it should be a lot of fun for everyone involved."