"Up in Smoke" hopes its message will
prevent pre-teens from smoking. A commercial made by 5
students at Innovations Public Charter School, "Up in Smoke"
will air May 27 through July 21 on major cable channels here
in Hawaii. "I hope this commercial shows people not
to smoke and that you should feel good about yourself," said
Keyra Aukai, one of the script writers and actresses for the
film. "You're cool without cigarettes. You'll have a
healthy, longer life. People say that it makes you cool,
popular, and reduces stress. But what you don't know is it
is damaging your body." Once the script was written and edited
for film, Ben Farish and Rick Cullis came to Innovations'
campus to film the commercial. In the process of filming,
the girls learned the tricks behind filming a commercial and
how special effects are created. Mason Farish took all of
the film clips and edited them together to get the final 30
second product. Debbie Waitley, Health Teacher at
Innovations, had students research information about
smoking. When they gathered all the facts they could find it
became clear that smoking often results in serious health
problems. Students decided they wanted to get the message
out to their peers, hoping to prevent them from starting
this dangerous habit. They made buttons, bumper stickers,
posters, skits, and taped an interview with a former smoker
who had quit due to medical problems. "It was really exciting," Mrs. Waitley
reported. "The students thought of so many different ways to
reach their audience." "When the group of 5 girls decided
they wanted to make a commercial, they found their resources
and went for it." Having connections and willing volunteers
helped. Dionne Dinson, Keyra's mom, who works for Oceanic
Time Warner Cable of Hawaii, connected the group with Farish
Media Production House who filmed and edited the
commercial. Oceanic liked the girl's "Up in Smoke"
message and donated the airtime on ESPN, Headline News, CNN,
A&E, Discovery, Golf, Lifetime, USA, TNT, TBS, and MTV!
This coverage far exceeded the girl's expectations for
reaching a broader audience. "I'm so proud I made this commercial!"
said Keyra. "I hope people stop smoking." Daisy-Jean and Macy listen to some
acting suggestions before filming starts.
Daisy-Jean and Macy practice "looking
cool". A few practice takes and filming
begins. . . . Dionne looks on as the girls act out
their lines. Maddie, Coree and Keyra wait their
turn to enter "stage right!" Equipment was moved frequently to film
the girls from all angles. The final product was
terrific!
Updated May 23, 2002
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