Diamond Bar High School’s Stampede Crew members have much to learn from their new instructor Mario Enriquez, who is not only a professional in film production, but also a Kung Fu expert.
Enriquez, who previously taught Kung Fu for three years, actually knew the former video productions teacher, Kevin Ballejo, from high school. When Ballejo was offered a job in Florida late January, he suggested Enriquez to apply based on his strong production based background.
“I’ve worked in the entertainment industry for several years. I have heavy background when it comes to film production. I have background in editing and working with my former TV video, ‘High School Teachers,’ for several years, but I worked on big movies ranging from ‘War of the Worlds’ to a couple of movies with Christian Bale,” he said.
Having attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Ventura, Enriquez brings his students extensive knowledge about filming as well as invaluable experience from working on actual sets. He also hopes that his encounters in the actual workforce can enable and inspire the students to be more creative and to undergo the authentic production process when producing the school’s weekly broadcast.
“As far as where I want to take the Stampede, both for Pathways and for the regular students, I’m interested in having very similar aesthetics, but I want high production value. I want all the shots to be really well done. [For] the students, I want them to be able to understand what a film production is, because when we shoot the Stampede, there is always such a short amount of time for the turn around. So the idea is that I want them to have professional basis, to have them put out really good work, put out work they’re proud of,” Enriquez said.
The new video productions teacher’s plans and expectations for his students have already begun to take effect in the classroom.
“He helps us [bring out] the characters that we actually are, and even when we did a great take we always just do an extra one because there’s always something better than perfect. We bring many different props now with Mr. Enriquez, and the creativity he has is just amazing,” junior Moustafa Elhadary, one of Enriquez’s students, commented.
Because Ryan Maine, who also teaches digital video for Brahma Tech, is resigning this year, Enriquez may become the main video production instructor at DBHS as well. If this takes place, he looks forward to helping students have the skills necessary in the film industry and be ready for the real world.
“[The students] will be more in the production oriented goals of normal film productions. We’re all going to go from ground zero and follow the production line, so if kids do plan on going into the entertainment industry later on, they can do it and they’ll be used to that kind of turn around and aesthetics,” Enriquez said.