Southwest Preparatory School - Northeast’s MEDA Students Shine at 48 to Create Competition
Southwest Preparatory School - Northeast Media Education Design Academy (MEDA) students recently showcased their creativity and technical expertise at the 48 to Create event—a high-pressure, 48-hour film and design competition where teams develop a short film and promotional poster from concept to completion. Despite encountering unexpected setbacks, the students demonstrated exceptional teamwork, adaptability, and creativity—core principles of the Northeast MEDA program.
About 48 to Create
The Alamo Arts Academy's 48 to Create competition challenges middle and high school students to complete a multimedia project within a tight 48-hour window. This fast-paced format is designed to test their critical thinking, communication, and creative skills. Through the event, participants gain valuable hands-on experience in problem-solving and applying what they’ve learned in their Alamo Arts Academy courses.
The Challenge
Participants were tasked with creating a 3-minute short film and a promotional poster using photography—all within 48 hours.
The Skills
Team projects utilized skills from all four Alamo Arts Academy subjects: Film Production, Digital Photography, Audio Engineering, and Graphic Design.
The competition took place February 26–28, 2025.
Rising to the Challenge
For Southwest Preparatory - Northeast MEDA students, the competition was both intense and rewarding. Originally starting with a team of six, unforeseen circumstances reduced their group to just four, requiring them to adapt quickly.
Layla Clay, a sophomore, took on dual roles as a camera operator and editor with minimal prior experience. “I loved getting out of the classroom and trying something new. The deadline was stressful, but it pushed me to think on my feet,” Layla shared. “Editing was my biggest challenge, especially when the software crashed. Luckily, the 48 to Create team helped recover most of our project.”
Their action film featured two protagonists infiltrating the DoSeum to retrieve confidential information about a high-profile guest. Buddy Gonzalez, a freshman who performed his own stunts, described the experience as challenging but thrilling. “Working under a deadline felt like rushing to clean the house before my mom got home, but it was a fun challenge,” Buddy said. “Seeing my face on the big screen was embarrassing at first, but it felt good once it was over.”
The plot twist comes when Buddy’s character discovers that his partner, played by Jeremiah Prater, is actually a double agent. Despite missing two team members on editing day, middle schoolers Aubrey and Sachi stepped up to design the promotional poster independently.
Learning and Growth
Throughout the competition, the students demonstrated adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork. Layla, participating in her first 48 to Create competition, gained valuable experience in cinematography and editing. “Through this process, I learned about filming and editing techniques and how filmmaking can be both fun and stressful,” she reflected.
Buddy also appreciated the learning opportunity despite some unexpected challenges. “Little kids running into our shots was tough, and acting in public was harder than I expected,” Buddy recalled. “My advice for other students is to stay focused and keep going because, in the end, you get to create something really cool.”
Recognition and Impact
Seeing their work on the big screen during the final screening was a proud moment for the team. Judges praised their creativity, storytelling, and ability to adapt under pressure. The positive feedback further validated their efforts and provided valuable insights for future projects.
Raymond Rodriguez, Principal of Southwest Prep - Northeast, emphasized the value of competitions like 48 to Create. “This competition allows our students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios, fostering creativity, teamwork, and time management—skills essential for success in media and design fields,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity for them to showcase their talents to a broader audience.”
Looking ahead, Southwest Prep - Northeast plans to encourage more students to participate in future competitions. The experience offered invaluable lessons in perseverance, collaboration, and creativity, preparing students for careers in media, design, and beyond.
CREATE YOUR FUTURE at Southwest Preparatory School - Northeast!
From Media Arts to STEM, Business, and beyond, our MEDA program empowers students to become future leaders in a digital-first world. Whether you’re passionate about filmmaking, graphic design, coding, or entrepreneurship, we’ll help you turn your creativity into a career.
Ready to join the next generation of creators and innovators? Enroll at Southwest Prep - Northeast today and start building your future!