While most CESJDS students rush to their eighth period class to take a test or give a presentation, sophomore Avi Abrams instead heads to the library to make a documentary.

Abrams is working on a self-led student project during the second semester that allows him to learn about the filmmaking process. He will be creating his own movie completed mostly during his study hall.

When Abrams heard that students at public schools conducted similar projects, he was intrigued by the idea of being able to devote part of his school day to a subject he is enthusiastic about. He also wanted to use this opportunity to become a better filmmaker.

“It’s exciting that I get to do something that I am very passionate about during school,” Abrams said.

Abrams devotes a lot of time to film outside of school by attending monthly meetings for high school filmmakers at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. He said he is also making two other narrative films independently.

“Being able to tell a story through a visual medium is something that really appeals to me,” Abrams said.

Abrams’ movie will focus on his great-grandfather who was killed in the Holocaust. He chose this topic because it is interesting to him and it corresponds with the family history project in his Modern Jewish History class.

This film will be Abrams’ first documentary, as he has only made narrative films in the past. He is currently reading books about film to help him master the specific process of making a documentary.

“It’s just a different way to tell a story,” Abrams said. “You have to be able to get emotion or get a story out of [a film] when you’re doing a documentary.”

Abrams’ goal is to have the script done by Spring Break, and then he will begin to shoot the film.

While Abrams will not earn credit for this project because JDS is not involved in the process, Dean of Students and Interim High School Principal Roz Landy said that Abrams’ determination to complete this project is an admirable endeavor. She said she applauds that he is studying something for the sake of learning.

“Avi is doing a project on his own, which is a wonderful example of Torah Lishma,” Landy said.

Part of the reason Abrams is doing this project is because of a lack of film classes at JDS.

“It’s disappointing that JDS doesn’t have a film class because I think it’s something that could really enhance our community,” Abrams said.

Photography teacher Jerry Eisner agrees that JDS has a need for more film education. He hopes that in the future JDS can have a vibrant film program.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be given the opportunity to share your unique discoveries and open up new pathways of understanding for those who watch your film or read your published work,” Eisner said in an email.

Although Abrams is thrilled to embark on this educational and individual journey, he acknowledges that there will be some challenges along the way.

“The biggest challenge is that I have to do everything on my own,” Abrams said. “There’s no curriculum or anything, so it’s pretty much just me having to do everything by myself.”

Abrams said that his main goal in doing this project is to come away with more filmmaking experience and to have a documentary of his own creation. He hopes to one day have a future in film.

“The only way to get better at something is to practice,” Abrams said. “At this point, the only thing I can do is to practice what I love, which is filmmaking, and hopefully one day it will take me somewhere great.”