Two Point Loma High School students were named grand-prize winners of a recent video contest, and their water conservation message is being shown this summer in theaters of several local movie chains. Jason Smidt and William Swim were among a number of students from the classes of multimedia production teacher Anthony Palmiotto who submitted 30-second public service announcement spots in the San Diegans Waste No Water contest. The award was announced at a “Red Carpet Premiere” at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center IMAX Theater in Balboa Park. The event was co-hosted by the science center and the city’s Public Utilities Department. Their prize-winning piece, “Walter the Water Glass,” features a talking container of H2O who bemoans water waste before being victimized by a careless human. Theatergoers at the Mission Valley and Plaza Bonita AMC Theaters and the Mira Mesa Edwards Theaters will be introduced to Walter before every feature film showing all summer. In addition, Smidt and Swim received a prize package valued at $400, donated by San Diego businesses and attractions. The contest aims to engage student filmmakers in the concepts of water re-use and conservation awareness. It was open to youthful videographers who were high school juniors, seniors or college students. “To see San Diego’s teens and young adults embracing water conservation and using their artistic creativity to motivate all San Diegans to do the same is inspiring,” said local water resource manager Luis Generoso. “Their work is helping to promote wise water-use behaviors in the community.” Submitted videos were first reviewed by city staff and then by a panel of judges, including Cathy Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning writer/produc-er, and Beth Accomando, a KPBS film critic. Ten videos were originally selected as finalists. Besides the grand-prize winning video, three other videos from Point Loma High School were named as finalists. These included “Cat Fight,” by Dakota Hills and Jade Martz; “No Water = No Life,” by Jessica Raines and Amy Windmiller; and “The Water Cycle,” by Corlin Palmer and Jack Fogel. “Walter the Water Glass” and all the contest’s finalist videos can be seen online at www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/kids/film/index.shtml.
