As junior Courtney Mansel watched Gabby Mooney get ready for her music video shooting, it dawned on Mansel that this was much bigger then just another day shooting for television at school.

“It was so emotional standing there when it just hit me that this is real and that I’m actually here watching this music video and it was just a great experience,” said Mansel.

The stars who senior Alexis Arenas and Mansel were able to meet were vocalists and guitar players from the band Hot Chelle Rae and Nash Overstreet. Director of the music video, Colley Bailey was also introduced to Mansel and Arenas. Gabby Mooney is an up and coming star from Arkansas who sings alternative pop/rock . The song being filmed was her song “Won’t let you go.” Out of the three, Arenas said that Colley Bailey had to be his favorite.

“Colley Bailey was my favorite to meet due to him being a local artist and director. He was a really nice and down to earth person,” said Arenas.

Mansel and Arenas were offered this opportunity due to their hard work and accountability.

“I took the students that have been the hardest workers or have showed the most promise throughout the year,” said television productions teacher Travis Sherman. “Those students may have been the most dedicated shooting after school or inside the classroom and they have gone above and beyond. In essence it is a reward for the students’s hard work and a career opportunity  for them to learn more.”

Arenas and Mansel were at the shoot to make a news package for Har-Ber Wildcat News.

“I was there making a package for Har-Ber Wildcat News but I also helped the director if he needed anything,” said Mansel.

Going to a professional shoot taught them both about the pace of a professional shoot and gave them a better understanding of how things go and the stress level of such shoots.

“I really learned how to be organized and patient. There is so much to do when shooting a music video such as lighting, story angle, and camera composition. Working with professionals is the best because you learn from the best,” said Arenas.

As for future professional shoots, there are no shoots scheduled that are set in stone but negotiations are being made.

“We are in negotiations for further productions, they are not set in stone as of right now, however part of the negotiations are that I am able to bring my students on board,” said Mr. Sherman.