Spotlight on Addison McCleery
Junior Addison McCleery identifies her place in the world of film.
The area surrounding the film set is dark. The actors, holding props with confidence, shout loudly at each other in pretend hatred. Cameras all around start moving with one snap of a finger, itching for a new angle on the scene.
This is what junior Addison McCleery wishes to see in her future. Sitting in a tall chair labeled “director,” a smile on her face as she watches her own up-and-coming film play out in front of her.
The whole aspiration started when a 15 or 16-year-old McCleery watched a movie called “Call Me by Your Name.”
“I really liked the cinematography in “Call Me by Your Name” and it made me think about if I wanted to do film as a career in the future,” McCleery said. “That movie inspired me to get into film and start my own works.”
Ever since watching the movie, McCleery has thought about her future career quite a bit, but now is determined by finishing a portfolio containing her best original films for art school.
She is currently working on a film on the romance and heartbreak between James Dean and Pier Angeli, as well as a film on her friend Isabella Cordero and her event called Stars Over Scars. She is also working on a subject film focused on stars.
“What I’m going to do is take several shots of different pieces of star aesthetics,” McCleery said. “Just different shots of stars throughout life. Then, I’ll put all the shots together in a video and that will be my subject film.”
At LHS, McCleery is taking broadcasting to help her reach her goal of going to the Kansas City Art Institute for college.
Last year, she was in a group called Film Club, consisting of herself, her friends and a few other members who were interested in pursuing cinematography.
They worked together to make small projects from subject films to tributes. McCleery was happy the club lasted while it did, but is hoping her and her friends can start it up again this year with an abundance of new members.
Besides filmmaking and watching old Hollywood classics, McCleery enjoys fashion. Following her old film style, she dresses in a fashionable vintage outfit almost every day.
“She’s definitely out of an old-fashioned movie,” McCleery’s friend, Isabella Cordero said. “One of her best qualities would definitely be her taste in style.”
Others around McCleery do enjoy her fashion sense, but also look deeper to see that she is very pleasant to be with.
“She’s wonderful; she’s always attentive, funny and just a kind person.” Lumetta said. “She has her own personality and I appreciate that.”
Cordero agrees.
“Addison’s very supportive, no matter what, always checking in on how your day is. She’s also very unique and has a really complex mind comparing most teenagers. She sees the world from a better viewpoint,” Cordero said.
