Posted on 02/04/2008 6:43:06 AM PST by fgoodwin
Boy Scout-produced documentary highlights extraordinary Central Texans
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/03/0203scouts.html
http://tinyurl.com/2oddh6
'Believe It. Live It' showcases groups, individuals who personify the Scout Law
By Patrick George
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, February 03, 2008
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
For almost 100 years, members of the Boy Scouts of America have been taught to memorize the traits that make up the Scout Law. Last summer, a group of nine local Scouts sought to find out what those values really mean by creating a film about the people who personify them in Austin.
On Saturday, "Believe it. Live it.", a documentary filmed and edited by local Scouts aged 13 to 17, premiered at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
The movie's VIP premiere was part of a daylong Scouting celebration, which included Saturday morning's 58th annual Report to State Scout Parade, during which more than 3,000 Scouts marched to the Capitol.
After attending a film school "boot camp" last summer with the Austin studio Arrowhead Films, the teenagers captured the stories of groups and individuals in Central Texas whom they felt portrayed the Scout Law values in their daily lives.
"Every one of us took something from the vignettes," said Clint Crabill, a senior at Hays High School. "For each of us, specializing in one part of the Scout Law helped expand our knowledge of the topic and the world around us."
The film highlights Austin firefighters, whom the Scouts deem "trustworthy" because they can be depended on 24 hours a day; Frank Denius, an attorney and University of Texas benefactor described as "loyal" because of his World War II service; Gilbert Tuhabonye, a running coach called "reverent" because he credits his faith in God for surviving genocide in the Central African nation Burundi; and John Crismond, a "helpful" volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
"I thought (Crismond) was helpful to people who can't get food on their own," said Jack Ikard, 14.
The Scouts encountered challenges beyond the typical merit badge requirements in putting the film together.
"Planning everything, setting up the schedules" presented the most difficulty, said Eric Beamyer, 16. "The editing was hard, too."
Charles Mead, a spokesman for the Capitol Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said he hopes that the national office will help distribute the film across the country and that other chapters can make films about people in their communities.
"It's a great way to show what Scouting is about," Mead said.
Gov. Rick Perry attended the premiere to congratulate the Scouts and talk about his new book, "On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For."
"Even in the fast-paced, changing society we live in, (the Scout Law values) have the same practical applications they did in the 1960s when I was engaged in Scouting," Perry said.
The film will be shown again at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Westlake High School Fine Arts Facility, 4100 Westbank Drive.
Please ping your Scouting List.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.