By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

 

CHELSEA – The fifth-grade students of Daryl Hyde’s Chelsea Intermediate School class energetically worked on their renditions of the impending fight scene for their movie “Secrets,” an alien-invasion movie.

The class will watch the movie at a private showing for family and friends at the Rave Motion Pictures at Lee Branch May 14.

“We did auditions, and I cast whoever acted the craziest on camera,” Hyde said of his actors. “The kids write themselves into the script. We’re having trouble with the fight scene because the kids are too sweet.”

Hyde uses the practice of script writing to teach the kids continuity and writing and story-telling skills.

“Writing is the most genuine purpose and intent; it’s all about the writing process,” Hyde said, “and it’s just a lot of stinkin’ fun.”

The students sat cross-legged on the floor as Hyde read the hand-written fight scenes aloud. With suggestions from sock-monkey fights to wet willies, the fifth-graders used their imaginations and creative-writing skills to develop coherent storylines.

“It’s really fun. I like the process of it,” leading actress Lauren Kelly said. “I get nervous when writing my script, but when it gets chosen, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ When I hear it being said by people, it’s great.”

Jacob Shaw said he practiced with videos on YouTube in anticipation of this opportunity.

“It’s fun to be on the screen and see my face,” Shaw said. “When I finally got in Mr. Hyde’s class, I was hoping for a lead role.”

Tommy Lee Jones shares screen time in “Secrets” as well.

“We’re going to have a slow-motion fight, and Mr. Hyde will speed it up,” Jones said of his impending fight scene with Shaw. “It’s really fun, because (Mr. Shaw) tricks us into doing a writing assignment. It’s an honor for me to be a lead role.”