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Show Local students involved in video N 1 f 1 ... 0. ? w SI J 'i fc'1';) - ' . --.4' -. EsT' Bv SHARON MORREY imateur actors from three local hi2h schools have big parts in a blg,L video currently under Suction by Summit Corp. Curing John Condry. IS high school students have irnost all the 200 parts in the set of videos coming together in Everybody's Wins," - a production designed to package Condry s self-hnorovement self-hnorovement philosphy and become available to promote every Snager's self-esteem and well- Condry is the impetus behind the nroduction, teamed up with Sherri his wife director Dana Robinson, composers Bryce Neubert and Brett Raymond, production engineer Doug Merrill and music engineer poug Jensen. They are forecasting that this video will .change the industry -the first musical video with impact that is positive, uplifting, "with it" and entertaining. "We're going to do this," declares Sherri Condry, "Somehow, someway, we're going to make this work. It's needed. It's right." Condry himself has conducted successful seminars for teens the past several years, sharing with them his own story of combating drugs, alcohol, discouragement and a poor self-image. He is putting the principles he has found to be effective ef-fective in changing lives; into the musical video. "John is a person who really does care," cites Director Robinson, "He is a master storyteller. He doesn't preach. I'm sure he's going to reach the youth with this." . "John has a special gift in relating," says his wife. "He has a way of making kids feel good about themselves. We have two youngsters of our own and about 15 "adopted" kids - they just appear wherever we move." The video production is intended to "make the kids the stars" adds Robinson. "As a director I'm looking forward to this." Condry points out that videos have created a teenage generation that craves entertainment. He plans to capitalize on that and teach them as they are entertained. "The idea is not to fight that. Teach them, help them. Talk a lot about improving their self-image to give them other avenues besides drugs and trouble and alcohol." "If we can reach even just one kid with the message, this will have been worth it."- Condry's company, Summit Corporation, is funding the video. He intends to sell it to Public Television and one of the networks for an after school special. It will be marketed full-scale. Producers plan to show it in places such as for The Young Offendors program at The Utah State Prison. ' . And starring all the way through the three story lines will be "ordinary" "or-dinary" teenagers from Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Provo High School. Teen-agers from six to 29. "We had 70 show up for one casting call at BYU," says Sherri Condry, "We are using all 70, plus about 150 others." "Our makeup and technical people will all be local, too," says Robinson, "For years I've told Hollywood that quality talent is here in Utah. Now we'll get to prove that."' "We're going to great lengths to make "Everybody Wins" very professional," he adds, "The songs are very upbeat. We're proud of this." Condry says everybody is born into this world to be a winner and has threaded that idea as the theme of the videos. He teaches simple principles, motivation skills, self-help techniques using comedy, song and story. He is convinced the youth will respond. "There's a great need out there. This video is just the first of many to come, we hope . " "We want to teach them to dwell on the positives about themselves. They need to go out, share their lives. They need to get love into their lives." To recruit actors, Robinson stormed the drama departments throughout the valley and came away impressed with what he found. "It's been a wonderful experience. I found such body and facial control in these students. It thrilled me to watch these faces." Yet when Robinson called to .vr 'i?-&:iwz&::: m'w:-xmi '&si&&&se?i fiA..A- .is- Dean Chase gets the final touches from makeup and lighting experts as the scene gets set up for "Everybody Wins" - the musical video under production by John Condry at the American Fork High School. verify the casting for the video roles many teens didn't believe it. They didn't expect to win a part. "They need this boosting experience." ( "With what we teach them, they'll see how to improve themselves," says Condry, "We'll show them they: can still be cool and like themselves." them-selves." "I've been there. I know where they are. I had a 1.8 grade average in school. If any kid has ever contemplated con-templated suicide, drugs, drink, I have. And it's just rampant, this feeling. We have got to go for it. Reach them, help them." The video seems a good start. The students involved are "very excited, very involved," says Robinson. "They've all been terrific. They've shown great maturity so far." All of the actors are donating their' talent and time. Two songs in the video are completely com-pletely original. John Condry sings them with 15 students doing backup on the title song, "Everybody . Wins." Composers Neubert and Raymond have written songs that make you "feel good and forget about your worries," says Robinson. "It's winning! " he quips. Taping began April 29 at the American Fork High School and follows a rigorous shooting schedules for the next several weeks . at various business and residential locations throughout Utah County. "We would like the community to . know about this. It's good for the community." "It'll be good for everyone concerned," con-cerned," says Sherri Condry. "I promise you. This program is going to be there, nationwide." |