Students from YES Charter Academy in Oregon House, a free public charter school in Yuba County, have achieved national recognition for their first class film project, “From Combat to Classroom.” The short documentary, produced by the student group Blac Jam Studio, was accepted and screened at the Mosaic World Film Festival on September 19. The film tells the story of their teacher, Jim Brandt, a U.S. Army combat veteran whose life took a significant turn after he was wounded while serving in the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan.
Following his recovery, Mr. Brandt found a new path in education, eventually becoming a teacher at the K-12 YES Charter Academy. For the students, documenting Mr. Brandt’s journey offered both a practical filmmaking experience and a deeper understanding of the person behind their classroom instructor. Mr. Brandt reflected on his military service, stating that the experience taught him the meaning of leadership and having responsibility for the lives of others. He added that after leaving the service, he missed the feeling of responsibility and impacting others positively, noting that it shaped him into the teacher he is today.
The Blac Jam Studio production team is comprised of several students who each held a specific role in bringing the documentary to life. Jackson Milligan served as the director, Faithlynn Bartell Adams as the producer, and Alex Butterworth as the editor. Mason Carter was the interviewer, while Abigail Van unen and Violeta Gentry-Morales operated the cameras. Richard Aguirre handled sound duties, and Camden Lage worked with lighting. In assembling and launching their mission, these students gained fundamental skills in documentary filmmaking, including scripting questions, conducting interviews, camera operation, sound recording, storytelling, and editing. This hands-on experience allowed them to create the film from its initial concept to its final completion.
The academy’s media arts teacher, Jessica Koplos, an experienced producer with credits from major entertainment companies such as Disney, CBS, MTV, and HBO, as well as the San Francisco Opera, guided the students. Ms. Koplos noted the significance of this achievement for her students. She expressed delight for the Blac Jam Studio team members, citing her pride in their tenacity, collective creativity, and trust in that creativity. She also commended their collaboration skills, which helped them navigate the complex process of filmmaking to a nationally recognized result.
Media arts is one of three Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways offered at YES Charter Academy. These CTE concentrations provide students with opportunities to develop practical skills, explore potential careers, and create work that connects classroom learning with real-world experience. The successful completion and national recognition of “From Combat to Classroom” underscore a distinctive aspect of YES Charter Academy’s educational philosophy: a belief that learning is often built around relationships, individual interests, and opportunities for students to take ownership of their work.
Under the leadership of Principal Louise Miller, the school fosters a community where students are encouraged to discover their capabilities and view their education as preparation for life beyond the classroom. This approach creates an environment that allows students to take risks, try new things, and learn effectively through doing. The Blac Jam Studio team members were not merely completing a project; they functioned as a production team with genuine responsibilities. Each student's individual contribution became an integral part of a larger, shared accomplishment, demanding collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Students shared their insights into the experience. Richard Aguirre, a member of the Blac Jam team, expressed his admiration for the subject of their film, stating, “Mr. Brandt is a hero to me.” He also conveyed surprise at the film's acceptance into the festival. Faithlynn Bartell Adams shared similar sentiments, reflecting that Mr. Brandt inspired her to be more of herself and identifying him as her favorite teacher. For Camden Lage, a key takeaway was understanding the adaptability required in filmmaking, acknowledging that he had not realized how adaptable one must be to create a film. Alex Butterworth, the editor, acknowledged the demanding nature of his role, describing the editing process as very challenging but confirming he was able to push through it.
The Mosaic World Film Festival ultimately provided a professional, national platform for these first-year filmmakers to showcase their work. Principal Miller expressed immense pride in the students and the teachers who both inspired and guided them. She highlighted that first-year YES Media Arts students grew significantly in confidence and skill, ultimately producing a film festival-quality work. Miller concluded by emphasizing her thrill that the YES Media Arts CTE pathway empowers students to build a bright future. This national recognition serves as a testament to the students' dedication and the academy's innovative educational approach, paving the way for future creative endeavors from the Yuba County foothills.
