HBO gets help from Town of Webb students
By DAVID DELLECESE
Observer-Dispatch
April 5, 2007
OLD FORGE- Books were replaced by camera equipment in Room 102 at the town of Webb school Wednesday morning as HBO filmed portions of a documentary on the Kentucky Derby-winning horse Barbaro.
In 2006, the students, who were then sixth-graders, were introduced to the horse by their teacher, Anne Phinney, who had worked with the horse's trainer, Michael Matz, for two summers during college. When the horse was entered in the Kentucky Derby, she began incorporating him into her curriculum to teach physiology, probability, the dynamics of horses and other lessons. The students took an immediate liking to the horse.
"We became Barbaro fanatics," Phinney said.
A win at the Kentucky Derby made the kids even larger fans, but when Barbaro shattered his leg two weeks later in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, it left Phinney and her students devastated.
"We were distraught. Our horse that we felt such a connection to was badly hurt," Phinney said. "We decided to make a picture book and our picture book was the story of Barbaro's life from birth to the breakdown."
The book, made up of drawings by all the children illustrating a different portion of the horse's life, was then pieced together and sent to Michael Matz as a get-well token for Barbaro.
After the final surgery on Barbaro's leg, the horse developed laminitis in both front legs. His veterinarians and owners decided he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized Jan. 29.
HBO Sports, working on a documentary about Barbaro, spoke with the horse's owner, Gretchen Jackson, who mentioned in her interview a group of students from the town of Webb schools who made the picture book. HBO then contacted the school and Phinney, and within a week was in Old Forge with a camera crew recreating the student's original drawing session one year earlier.
"I think it's exciting for the students," Phinney said. "they're seeing a whole industry they know exists, but have no idea how it works. Just to be involved in it is thrilling."
The HBO Crew even took questions from the students about their careers and explained the work that goes into producing a film project.
"Everybody plays their role," associate producer Helen Russell said to the students. "We all try to do our thing."
As the students recreated their drawings, some found it challenging to have cameras right in front of their faces.
"It's a little weird having a camera right over your shoulder while you're drawing, but it's all right," said Connor Rockhill, 12. "I learned it's complicated. It may be a little confusing at times. Like where to put the camera, where to have to situate the microphone."
With a major media outlet in their school, the students were able to see the impact their picture book had.
"I think it's really cool. I always wanted to be on TV," said Elizabeth Getty, 13. "But I hope people realize that kids can actually make a difference."
The documentary will air on HBO Sports in June.
Observer-Dispatch
April 5, 2007
OLD FORGE- Books were replaced by camera equipment in Room 102 at the town of Webb school Wednesday morning as HBO filmed portions of a documentary on the Kentucky Derby-winning horse Barbaro.
In 2006, the students, who were then sixth-graders, were introduced to the horse by their teacher, Anne Phinney, who had worked with the horse's trainer, Michael Matz, for two summers during college. When the horse was entered in the Kentucky Derby, she began incorporating him into her curriculum to teach physiology, probability, the dynamics of horses and other lessons. The students took an immediate liking to the horse.
"We became Barbaro fanatics," Phinney said.
A win at the Kentucky Derby made the kids even larger fans, but when Barbaro shattered his leg two weeks later in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, it left Phinney and her students devastated.
"We were distraught. Our horse that we felt such a connection to was badly hurt," Phinney said. "We decided to make a picture book and our picture book was the story of Barbaro's life from birth to the breakdown."
The book, made up of drawings by all the children illustrating a different portion of the horse's life, was then pieced together and sent to Michael Matz as a get-well token for Barbaro.
After the final surgery on Barbaro's leg, the horse developed laminitis in both front legs. His veterinarians and owners decided he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized Jan. 29.
HBO Sports, working on a documentary about Barbaro, spoke with the horse's owner, Gretchen Jackson, who mentioned in her interview a group of students from the town of Webb schools who made the picture book. HBO then contacted the school and Phinney, and within a week was in Old Forge with a camera crew recreating the student's original drawing session one year earlier.
"I think it's exciting for the students," Phinney said. "they're seeing a whole industry they know exists, but have no idea how it works. Just to be involved in it is thrilling."
The HBO Crew even took questions from the students about their careers and explained the work that goes into producing a film project.
"Everybody plays their role," associate producer Helen Russell said to the students. "We all try to do our thing."
As the students recreated their drawings, some found it challenging to have cameras right in front of their faces.
"It's a little weird having a camera right over your shoulder while you're drawing, but it's all right," said Connor Rockhill, 12. "I learned it's complicated. It may be a little confusing at times. Like where to put the camera, where to have to situate the microphone."
With a major media outlet in their school, the students were able to see the impact their picture book had.
"I think it's really cool. I always wanted to be on TV," said Elizabeth Getty, 13. "But I hope people realize that kids can actually make a difference."
The documentary will air on HBO Sports in June.
