Students at Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa took over their campus this July to film a new project titled Life At Your School. After winning a contest held by Faba Films, the student body gained the opportunity to produce, direct, and star in a short movie that highlights the realities of modern teenage life. This endeavor went beyond simple acting, as students managed lighting, sound, and the accompanying social media campaign from the ground up.
The production involved a script written by Faba Films co-founder Céd Hopkins, but the team gave students total control to adapt the dialogue. Participants shifted the narrative to reflect their own experiences, ensuring the lingo and character development felt authentic to their peer group. Themes cover academic pressure alongside deeper subjects like mental health struggles and grief.
Dr. Lynette Adams, founder of The Joy Lab, served as an on-set behavioral scientist to help guide the students through these sensitive topics. The project serves as a pilot for a broader series that seeks to document the teen experience across the country. By allowing students to rewrite scenes and solve logistical challenges on the fly, the program aims to build confidence and leadership skills.
Local businesses and teachers supported the month-long shoot with meal donations, and school officials provided the space necessary for the crew to work. Principal Casey Cunningham noted that the project offers the community a chance to see the creative capabilities of Elsie Allen students in a new light. The finished film premieres on August 21 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus quad.
Following the premiere, the film will be available for free streaming on the Faba Films website. Organizers hope the story reaches a wide audience to spark conversations about mental health and peer support. It remains a clear example of what happens when students receive the autonomy to tell their own stories through a professional lens.