Movies begin in Bettendorf

By David Burke / QUAD-CITY TIMES / June 6, 2004

What is it about Bettendorf?

In the space of the last few years, the city and its high school have produced a filmmaker whose work played at the Cannes Film Festival; three directors whose work was considered for the made-for-cable moviemaker contest “Project Greenlight”; and the star of a major movie last summer.

And that’s just a few of the accomplishments of those who have walked the halls of Bettendorf High School.

Both teachers and alumni laugh about the notion of something being in the water at BHS, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see wannabe filmmakers lining up at the drinking fountain?

Ethel Hegeman, who does work with video production in addition to her duties in the high school library, said students want to participate in video and film projects, and the students have the support of their parents.

“We give them the opportunity to experiment in a safe environment,” Hegeman said. “They have a lot of exposure on how to make movies, and they watch those DVDs that have all those special features on them. They’re a generation that sees in video, and they communicate that way.”

The school’s art department offers classes in multimedia production, including Photoshop and light motion. Bettendorf also offers a class in TV tech, where students get a taste of making commercials, news, interviews, a children’s video and music video.

“Some of them discover that’s what they want to do when they take the class,” Hegeman said. “They don’t necessarily know that when they go in. They find it’s really conducive to their talents.”

Joe McCarthy, whose short film, “The Rick” competed in the Cannes Film Festival’s Cinefondation class last month, developed more of an interest in movies after he left high school.

“In my case, it was a way to entertain ourselves in high school by screwing around with the video camera,” said McCarthy, whose film did not make the top three in the contest but met with favorable response. “I don’t know if that corresponds to Bettendorf in any way.”

Scott Beck, who collaborates with fellow 2003 Bettendorf grad Bryan Woods for their own production company called Bluebox Limited, is also at a loss to explain the Bettendorf connection.

“It seems like there are quite a few guys out there continuing movies,” he said. “I’m not sure if there’s a connection between them, it’s just what we liked to do.”

Bluebox Limited’s newest film, “University Heights,” premieres June 26 at the RiverCenter Adler Theatre. Beck calls the college-based movie a “drama with suspense,” about “four lives stuck in the routine of life, and their struggle to get out of that.”

Beck and Woods were the second Bettendorf grads in as many years to advance in “Project Greenlight,” the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck-created contest and accompanying reality show where the winners get the chance to create a big-budget feature film. Last year, Joe Otting — who now works in advertising in Chicago — made it to a final four field of directors.

While Eric Christian Olsen had the lead in last year’s “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,” and has two films coming out before the end of the year, other Bettendorf grads are settling in on the other side of the camera.

John Barker has been back to Bettendorf for the past two summers working on the movie “Iowa Boys,” but even his friends aren’t sure of its status.

“He always avoids the question when we ask him,” Beck said.

These former Bettendorf students are making their instructors proud.

“I’m so happy for them, that they’re able to follow their dreams and accomplish and be recognized for their accomplishments,” Hegeman said. “There’s just nothing better.”