L-R Clark Reed, Isabel Rocha, Collin Mitten, Baylee Green

What started as a passive interest in filmmaking a little over a year ago has blossomed into a raging passion and a new career path for Snyder High School Senior Collin Mitten. He has many credits and achievements to his name, including award-winning actor, senior class president, athletic trainer, and now, he can add film director and producer to his resume. 

Last year, Collin gained a great deal of interest in filmmaking and produced a narrative film and a documentary. Theatre Arts Teacher, Clark Reed, said, โ€œThis was a learning experience for all of us as we had many more failures than successes, but with failure comes knowledge.โ€

His work brought him to the film set of SHS Alumni and current ACU film student Brody Jasso, who showed Collin the ropes of organizing and creating a professional level film set.  With a bit of encouragement from Mr. Reed, Collin began his journey of producing a professional quality film.  

 โ€œA student like Collin comes along once every so often, and when you see a special kid like him, you make every effort to nurture and grow his passion,โ€ said Reed.

Collin took his film, Delusions, from start to finish.  After developing the idea, he wrote a screenplay, solicited feedback, and adjusted. He researched equipment, found actors, directed, and edited the film. โ€œCollin truly did the work of a true Hollywood producer and director,โ€œ said Reed.

Over eighty people were involved in the project. Friends, family, community members, and students served as actors, background actors, and crew. โ€œIt was a collaborative effort.  We shot the film at local businesses and restaurants.  Students, teachers, and community members volunteered their time, money, and effort to bring my vision to life,โ€ said Mitten.  

Patrick Malone, an SHS Alumni of the SHS Drama Department and current Hollywood actor, played a principal role in the film.  โ€œPatrick is a huge friend of SHS and a huge fan of the SHS drama department,โ€ said Reed. โ€œWe are grateful for his influence and expertise.โ€ 

Excitement filled the hallways upon hearing the announcement that the film advanced to the UIL State Finals, a historic event for Snyder High School. 

โ€œWhile shooting the film, we often stayed up until 3 or 4 am.  It was exhausting, but advancing to state makes it worthwhile,โ€ said Baylee Green, Second Assistant Director/Producer and SHS Senior. โ€œSeeing filmmaking first hand sparked my interest in film production, especially broadcasting.โ€ 

โ€œI feel like all of our work has paid off,โ€ said Isabel Rocha, First Assistant Director/Producer and SHS Junior. โ€œIโ€™m so proud of Collin; he has worked so hard for this.โ€ 

Delusions will advance to the State Finals in Austin for a world premiere event on February 23rd.   Snyder High School will provide an opportunity for the community to view the film after the contest and will announce details when available. 

โ€œThe generosity and support of our community, family, and friends that believed in me, a high school student, to make this film - itโ€™s hard to put into words how much this means to me,โ€ said Mitten. โ€œDonโ€™t let people discourage you. Your dream can never be too big.โ€