Teen filmmakers gain hands-on production skills working on feature film

Aurora's Kyle D. Friedrich got a taste of Hollywood filmmaking this summer.

The junior marketing major at Aurora University handled marketing duties for "Traveling Without Moving," a high-tech, science adventure film for kids.

The Aurora Central Catholic High School graduate posted social-media communications for the movie.

He joined hundreds of teens from across the country who traveled to the Chicago suburbs this summer for the opportunity of a lifetime: Working on a Hollywood film set alongside actors Steve Guttenberg ("Lavalantula," "3 Men and a Baby," "Cocoon," "Police Academy," "Diner," among others) and Harry Lennix ("The Blacklist," "Man of Steel" and "Chiraq").

Included was a cameo by U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville), the only physicist in Congress.

It was all part of Fresh Films, the filmmaking program that puts teens behind the camera - and every other position of the film set.

In production since July, "Traveling … " wrapped up filming at Aurora University on Aug. 21.

Friedrich said filmmakers shot footage in Phillips Library, Stephens Hall of Science, STEM School, Institute for Collaboration and on campus grounds.

Fresh Films' newest movie for kids, "Traveling … " is a high-tech, science adventure film based on real quantum physics and the science of wormholes.

Filming began July 6 in Aurora, with teens from Chicago Public Schools and Boys & Girls Club of Elgin kicking off the production week.

In total, 300 teens were to work on the set or in the edit bay learning the ins and outs of film production and the many STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills that are needed for behind-the-scenes roles.

Teens also learned teamwork, creative problem solving, responsibility, and leadership skills.

Fresh Films director Estlin Feigley said, "Our goal is to inspire the teens' interest in many of the exciting, lesser-known tech and engineering career opportunities in film while they're on set."

"Most teens think 'director' or 'actor' when thinking about pursuing a film career.

"But after a week on set with us, many learn they have much more fun filling a role in one of the many engineering careers within the industry.

"Skywalker Sound, Industrial Light and Magic and Pixar are three brand-name Hollywood companies that employ thousands of engineers and tech experts as sound engineers, special effects engineers and more."

Scientists from Adler Planetarium, University of Chicago and NASA served as technical advisers.

They included Gerry Griffin, former director of the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, technical director for "Apollo 13" directed by Ron Howard.

The feature-length film will be distributed in theaters starting spring 2016, followed by DVD, Digital and International.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the film benefit youth charities and programs.

Fresh Film's last movie, "The Stream," featured Hollywood stars Mario Lopez and Rainn Wilson. Debuting in theaters in major cities across the U.S., the film showed off its teen filmmakers' work to people across the world (an impressive addition to any high-schooler's resume).

Twelve technology and media brands helped make Fresh Films possible as part of their commitments to supporting youth and their pursuit of career skills and STEM development.

Best Buy and Microsoft support digital learning through Fresh Films. Molex, Exelon & ITW are local Chicago science and tech companies supporting teen STEM learning through Fresh Films. Aurora-based Dunham Fund's support allowed the film to be produced in Aurora with teens getting a college-campus experience living and working on Aurora University's campus. TriBeCa Flashpoint College and Cinelease supplied all of the professional equipment for the Fresh Films set. Other sponsors include the Sun Times Foundation, Nicor Gas and Subway restaurants.

"Traveling Without Moving" is a science-adventure film about three teens whose science project unlocks the key to finding their missing parents. The science in the film is based on the quantum mechanics theory "Many Worlds" and also the science of wormholes.

Chicago-based Fresh Films has been engaging youth behind the camera and creating youth-targeted TV shows, films and original content since 2002 - all purposed to make a difference in young lives. Other recent productions include "The Stream," a coming-of-age family comedy created by teens, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America and featuring Mario Lopez ("Extra"), Kelly Rutherford ("Gossip Girl"), Christopher Gorham ("Covert Affairs") and Rainn Wilson ("Backstrom"); and "Moochie Kalala Detectives Club," a science TV show for kids. Fresh Films is the nonprofit arm of Dreaming Tree Films. For more information, visit fresh-films.com.