By Riker Napoleone ’27
Early into the school year, Gunn received a thrilling announcement at a school meeting. Mr. Day, the Chief Strategy Officer, announced that The Film Guys would join the school for a few weeks during the fall term. The Film Guys are a group of three friends who create small movies or films for boarding schools all across the country.
During their first five days on campus, the Film Guys engaged with students and faculty to brainstorm what their video would be about. Then, at the start of their second week at Gunn, they began to film. Whether it was during a sporting event, during lunch, or even in your classes, they were always there, ready to press record and start their video. On the Thursday of that second week, a cow was brought in for filming, and many classes stopped by to pet it. Mr. Day sent out all-school emails, offering to include anyone interested in being in the film to be in a scene. When filming, a student in the scene asked how they should act, and Rob, the leader of The Film Guys, replied, “You’re not supposed to do anything; you can do whatever you like.” This naturalness of their filming makes their work so unique and is why many boarding schools around the country ask them to create films. The influence also encouraged students around campus to want to be involved and show their Gunn spirit. They set up all around campus and would ask anyone walking by if they would like to be in a scene. “You’ll see us around all week doing this stuff, ” Rob declared.
With the film revolving around this raw footage, The Film Guys often filmed students going about their regular day. On the night of the annual Gunn vs. Millbrook under the lights football game, their camera recorded the student section yelling chants in unison. Student Gordon Bennett stated, “The Film Guys embraced our campus culture in the short two weeks they were. It was amazing to see how excited and happy they were to interact with students and feel the sense of home that emanates from Gunn.” When their two weeks here on campus were up, The Film Guys gave one last cheer during a school meeting and left the next day eager to get started on the film’s editing process. The finished film, expected to be released around December, will undoubtedly showcase some of the best moments of school life and embody the values and spirit of Frederick Gunn.
