And then there were five.
After one of the closest competitions in years, we’ve finally chosen the winners of Friday’s fifth High School Movie Panel contest.
To do that, we sifted through nearly 1,000 entries and came up with 25 finalists. Then, after a second round in which many were culled, only a few could be chosen.
Our task was not an easy one and it was not taken lightly. Our thanks and congratulations to all who participated.
The new panelists, whose first reviews appear in this week’s Take 2 section, can look forward to mastering the art of watching a movie, taking notes in the dark and snacking-all at the same time.
But the life of a movie panelist is more than popcorn and deadline pressure.
Although it’s not likely that they’ll be rubbing shoulders with Sly, Arnold, Bruce and Demi over milkshakes at Planet Hollywood, the panel will have its opportunities for extracurricular activities that just might lead to a taste of fame that extends beyond the school halls.
Past panelists have been featured in national magazines (Premiere magazine featured the group two years ago, and last year, Matt Bourjaily shared his “Guy Talk” views with Seventeen) and on local and even syndicated TV. (Two years ago, WBBM-Ch. 2’s “Different Drummers” included members of the panel in a discussion of film and last year, the syndicated program “Scratch”
chronicled James Renwick’s run through the halls of the Tribune.)
Renwick, by the way, had an eventful summer. He sold a story idea to Paramount Pictures.
So, you see, kids? You CAN try this at home.
“When do we get to meet Gene Siskel?” asked new panelist Chrissie Bielinski during an informal get-acquainted session at the Tribune.
Although the panelists didn’t meet Siskel, they got a chance to chat with Tribune movie critic Michael Wilmington, discussing the business side of Hollywood, their favorite films and the relative merits of slasher movies.
Speaking of the movies, our intrepid panel had better get used to sitting in the dark. For the next 52 weeks, the panelists will be sharing their opinions on the good, the bad and the should-never-have-been-made in current cinema.
From the biggest blockbuster to the smallest offbeat art house film, the new Fab Five will let you know what’s out in the movie theaters and what’s worth seeing.
With that, meet the fifth High School Movie Panel:
Chrissie Bielinski, 17, is a senior at Elgin St. Edward. Chrissie took part in Northwestern University’s summer program, where she learned about TV, radio and film. At school, she is on the speech team and, fittingly, she acted in “The Front Page.”
She also is a member of the National Honor Society, has lettered in golf, basketball and softball and last year won her school’s scholar-athlete award.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what I write appear in the paper. And getting my picture in the paper,” she says.
Josh Emanuel, 17, attends Downers Grove North, where he is a senior. He writes for the school paper and the literary magazine and is a member of the math team and the scholastic bowl team.
He also is a National Merit semi-finalist and a member of the National Honor Society.
“I love movies,” says Josh, who makes a few of his own in his spare time. And in a fit of honesty, he adds, “I’m looking forward to the fame and the fan mail and all the free stuff.” Josh has his eye on attending the New York University or University of Southern California film schools after he graduates.
Chris Rizzo, 17, entered our contest as part of an English class assignment at Fenwick.
“I wasn’t expecting (to make the panel) at all.”
And yes, Chris received extra credit for entering the contest, then got additional extra credit for making the finals.
We hear that Chris and his agent are negotiating with his teacher for more incentives since he has been named a panelist. Unless we made up that last part.
“I’m the best-loved guy at my school,” Chris says sarcastically. “A lot of my classmates said they’re going to cancel their subscription to the Tribune” now that he’s on the panel.
Chris, a junior, is on the math team and Jets academic team.
He also writes a column for the school paper, where he writes on “whatever I feel like.”
“I hope to see more movies (Don’t worry, Chris, you will. It’s a requirement. Ed.) and I want to get my opinions into the mainstream.”
Sidd Shah, 15, is a sophomore at Lake Forest. He writes stories and poetry for the school literary magazine and is a member of the chorus. Sidd is a fan of classic cinema and cites a small film called “Gone With the Wind” as his favorite.
Sidd is a candidate for a Rotary scholarship, in which he’d spend his junior year abroad. He’s hoping to travel to New Zealand or Zimbabwe.
Kelly Tsai, 15, a sophomore at Fremd, follows in the footsteps of her sister Julie, who was a movie panelist three years ago. “I used to tag along when she went to the movies,” Kelly says. She is president of the sophomore class, a member of the speech team and of Orchesis, the school’s dance troupe. (She’s been dancing since age 5.)
She says she is considering a career either in psychiatry or in entertainment.
As for her foray into journalism, Kelly says, “I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas with people. The newspaper is such a powerful medium.”
