Wawasee High School, and other parts of Kosciusko County, will get a little taste of Hollywood. Los Angeles-based film company Flowfeel Films is contracted to begin shooting a music video Saturday, Aug. 23, at WHS.
The music video “Indiana Weekend” will strive to show what it means to grow up and live in Indiana, said Jessica Hardy, who owns Flowfeel Films. Hardy has local connections as her family owns a home at Webster Lake, she curated two comedy improv classes in North Webster and has shot two feature films in Webster with Flowfeel Films.
Kosciusko Cares is providing the opportunity for teens to express themselves. “The goal of the Kosciusko music video is to involve students in activities not otherwise available to them in the area,” Hardy said. “Kosciusko Cares provides opportunities to local youth and the goal is to make those opportunities free and open to anyone. Kosciusko Cares felt that a music video was both relatable and fun.
“We invited all area teens and businesses to get involved. We got incredible response.”
Hardy said the intent of the video is to not only show the positive aspects of what it means to hang out as a teen in Indiana, but also to address the theme of acceptance and “feeling free to be who you are through dance and story.” The goal is to make teens feel like they are a part of something “because they are an essential part of the community.”
Footage will be shot for one day mostly indoors at Wawasee, then other footage will be shot in Warsaw and North Webster. “This particular day will focus on the story and the characters at a high school,” she said. More specifically for North Webster, footage will be shot at a private residence on Webster Lake and at various other places in town not specifically named.
Mike Schmidt, principal of WHS, said he was more than happy to allow the video to be shot at the school and feels it will be a good venture for the students.
A teen suggested using Astound Dance Academy of Warsaw to choreograph so the academy has joined in the production. It is anticipated the video will be released in a formal setting in the fall where the public can view it, then it will be released on the Kosciusko Cares YouTube channel.
Flowfeel Films has shot several film projects in the Indiana area and also runs the Chicago Comedy Film Festival in October.
Hardy will discuss the project more at a meeting scheduled for noon Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation on the corner of Market and Buffalo streets in downtown Warsaw.