The Real Z

A Fresh Start

Z is sitting in Ms. Garner’s math class, dutifully following along with the equation on the board (a lesson she’s learned the hard way), when the loudspeaker crackles to life. Mr. Mullolly announces an emergency Camera Club meeting during free period. Z shoots a look at Lauren, who only shrugs: an “emergency meeting” doesn’t sound promising. Z’s mind jumps straight to the club’s broken camera. Mr. Mullolly has been generously lending them his tablet for weeks so they can keep up with assignments. But Camera Club still doesn’t have a real camera of its own, and without the prize money Z had been hoping to win, a replacement doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. She’s still a little disappointed she couldn’t save the day herself, but she reminds herself she did try her best.

After class, Z and Lauren head for the media room off the library, though Lauren keeps slowing them down, asking oddly specific questions about the math lesson and pointing things out in her notebook. Z wails that they’re already late, and Lauren finally speeds up. When they reach the door, Lauren’s arms are conveniently full of books, so she asks Z to turn the knob.

The moment Z does, the whole Camera Club shouts “Congratulations, Z!” startling her so badly she can barely find the words to respond. The room is decorated with balloons, a big “CONGRATULATIONS” banner, and a table of colorful napkins and plates topped with pink and purple cupcakes decorated with tiny director’s clapboards. Mr. Mullolly explains that everyone wanted her to know how proud they are that one of Camera Club’s own had a film screened at the CloudSong Film Festival, and he hopes she’ll bring it in to share with the group sometime.

A blushing Z thanks everyone for going to the trouble, and Mr. Mullolly tells the club to grab cupcakes so they can get to some club business. Z settles in next to Maddie, Andrew, and Lauren, teasing Lauren for stalling her with fake math questions. Lauren laughingly admits she had to buy time somehow.

The real business turns out to be the missing camera. How can Camera Club keep producing its news segment for Pine Crest Middle School without one? Z worries Mr. Mullolly is about to say the club has to shut down, but he clarifies he just can’t keep lending his tablet indefinitely and wants ideas for how to keep filming while they petition the school for funds.

As everyone murmurs, Z realizes she doesn’t need to be as anxious as she has been. She just has to think outside the box, the same way she did editing her very first film. The club has plenty of stories to tell. They don’t need an expensive camera to tell them. She raises her hand and suggests using phones and webcams, noting she already relies on both for her blog and even used phone footage in her CloudSong movie, and offers to share some of the editing and filming apps she loves, admitting the segments might end up looking even better than before.

Mr. Mullolly is thrilled, praising the idea that storytelling can happen many different ways, and calls on Andrew next. Andrew suggests posting segments to the school website so kids who miss the broadcast can watch later, and Maddie adds that parents could watch, too, if their kids are featured. More hands go up with suggestions for both filming methods and getting the videos out to viewers. Soon the whole club is smiling, Mr. Mullolly included, and he asks if someone can start a list. Maddie volunteers to keep it, tearing a page from her notebook, and needing a second page before long, as one idea keeps sparking another.

Watching her friends and Mr. Mullolly all grinning together, Z already finds herself wondering what her next film will be. She knows there will be a next one. She just can’t wait to dig in. But not yet. First, there’s some celebrating to do.

Z. Crew out!