SANFORD — Dozens of young people are lounging about in the halls of the high school. Some are chatting, two are strumming guitars. Another student strolls through the halls with a video camera, gathering footage for a promo.

They wouldn’t usually be at school during vacation week, so the lounging about isn’t because students are avoiding classes.

They’re waiting for their turn to shine, when the movie cameras will be rolling on them as they take their roles in a new, 30-minute film.

After months of gathering ideas and turning them into a script, it is movie production time at Sanford High School.

Filming began Thursday and was to continue through the weekend.

The young people have been working with Project Aware of Saco to develop the film, and are teamed up with the Portland-based production company, Gum Spirit Productions.

Students developed the script themselves, and while no one wants to give the plot away ahead of a premiere, the film focuses on four teens and their lives over the course of four days, each one struggling or being challenged in a particular  way, said Carl Lakari, Project Aware coordinator. Themes include substance abuse, racism, physical violence and teen pregnancy.

“This project makes a difference for teens by addressing major issues that young people and adults face. It also will capture the power and resiliency of youth and send a powerful message of hope,” said Lakari.

“I’m loving it. It has been an amazing experience,” said Gwendolyn Benoit, who plays Casey, one of the four main characters in the film. As well, Benoit, who has appeared in productions with Sanford Maine Stage and Vacationland Theater, works with make-up and costumes.

Caitlin Kinsman plays April, whom she described as a “shy girl,” who keeps to herself. Kinsman said she’s a new actor, and got involved because she thought it would be fun.

Most everyone the Journal Tribune spoke with on Thursday, when 13 scenes were to be shot, agreed that the project is fun, despite the long waits between when the camera is rolling for a scene and when it is not.

An estimated 1,200-1,300 kids ”“ virtually the entire population of the high school, contributed ideas for the script. An estimated 125 young people are directly involved in making the film, said Lakari.

The project came about as a result of some Sanford students’ involvement in a film institute held in Saco last summer. Sanford’s Safe Schools, Healthy Students program sent 10 students to the Project Aware Summer Film Institute, where the  Sanford students took leadership roles in the making of the student film “Influenced.”

That experience was so positive that the Safe Schools, Healthy Students initiative sponsored the effort for a film to be made in here. Students began with filming public service announcements back in February and progressed on to making the film.

The film has the enthusiastic support of Sanford High School Film Club, which formed last fall after the summer film institute. Advisor James Harmon said about 60 students tried out for roles in the film and they all have a part.

Andrew James Bracy, a 17-year-old junior, is filming a promo of the film-making process, offering a behind-the-scenes view of how the film is being made.

“My job is to show how the actors and producers feel about the movie,” he said. Bracy said filming the promo gives him a taste of what it is like to be involved in film production and could help his career plans.

“I want to be somewhere in the media world,” he said, indicating journalism and broadcasting are a possibility.

Cat Mathews, a Noble High School student, said she decided to try out for a role as an extra at the suggestion of a friend. Mathews has previously appeared in productions at Vacationland Theater and at Hackmatack Playhouse.

One scene from the film will be shot at her home, she said, because “they needed a big house and a place where they could make a mess.”

“A friend told me to check it out and I’m glad I did,” said extra Liz Duncan. “It is something progressive and creative to do.”

Not all the actors are students. Sanford High School art and photography teacher Kathy Belmont said when the call went out for extras, she decided to take part. An extra, on Thursday she’d been part of a crowd scene, playing a teacher.

“What’s neat about this is it came from the kids,” said Belmont. “It is not adults talking about kids, it is kids talking about kids.”

After all the scenes are shot, the next step is editing. A date for the premiere has not been set, but Lakari said the goal is to have a showing before the end of the school year.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.