Palmer High senior enjoys chance to study filmmaking as a student in the school's IB program

Carter Paulson has long been attracted to the world of filmmaking.

Paulson has always enjoyed movies, and has explored filmmaking channels on YouTube, such as Film Riot. He’s inspired by the likes of comedian Bo Burnham and Ana Lily Amipor, the writer and director of the acclaimed Iranian vampire western, “A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night.”

Paulson wants to make his own stamp in the industry. As he shoots for a career in movies, Paulson is the first Palmer High school student in an International Baccalaureate film program.

“Initially I was going to join the IB art class, but I wanted to do filmmaking,” the Palmer senior said. “That’s the medium I want.”

With the help of Palmer High IB art teacher Anna Folsom, Paulson was able to take the course as an independent study.

“He does this on his own with the support of me and some other teachers,” Folsom said.

Like Folsom’s IB art students, Paulson submits a portfolio which represents nearly half of his grade.

“His portfolio is a variety of different movies that he's made that he submits,” Folsom said. “He does a comparative study of different film directors and has to show evidence that he has performed every aspect of the film. Editor, filming, he’s done it all.”

Paulson shared three of his films — “I Was An Angry Kid,” “Got Some Horrors in the House,” and his adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart” — during Palmer High’s IB Art Show and informational night Friday.

“It feels great,” Paulson said of sharing his work. “I’ve always been someone who likes showing people other things.”

Paulson said fellow IB students Jay Clark and Miriam Feldman helped write scripts for his short films. He said he hopes this is part of his path to a future in film.

“My ultimate goal is to work in the industry,” Paulson said.

Cinematography is at the top of the list, working with cameras and the lighting. Directing would be great, he said. As for screenwriting, Paulson said he prefers to work collaboratively.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.