High School Filmmaker Wins Student Recognition Fair by Showcasing Mount Diablo

With the business of everyday life, it is easy to become preoccupied with our lives. Let us not forget where we live, at the base of Mt Diablo, a beauteous landmark that is visible from most of the Bay Area. The residents of Danville and the surrounding area have the luxury of enjoying a front row seat to gaze at the mountain every day.

From the devil mountain, on a clear day, you can see the snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada and much of the Bay Area. The mountain has an extensive history dating back to the Native American time period and has a vast collection of wildlife and vegetation that covers the mountain.

To showcase Mount Diablo’s beauty, aspiring young filmmaker Connor Rickey made a short video that gives us a window into the elegance that visitors to Mount Diablo have seen first hand. The video features a variety of locations and glamor around Mount Diablo. From cloudy to clear days, Rickey ensured he captured all aspects of the mountain’s beauty.

Rickey’s video was recently crowned as a winner for Monte Vista High School at the SRVUSD Student Recognition Fair.

I had a chance to catch up with Connor and ask him about his video-making hobby:

How did you get into video making?

Over the past few years I have taken it more seriously, but it really started when I was about twelve. My friends and I used to film each other skateboarding, riding dirt bikes, and having a good time. I began experimenting with Final Cut Express for editing when I was thirteen. That was my initial bit of inspiration that made me hungry to always keep improving the pieces I put out.

What inspired you to make a video about Mount Diablo?

Coming from a mountain bike background, I am always up on the mountain riding. It occurred to me that I could create a video showing people the natural beauty that I get to experience daily. Although you can see Mt. Diablo from most parts of Danville, the video gives you an up-close look as to what it beholds.

What do you want people to take from this video?

My ultimate goal in the creation of this video was to help people come to the realization of how lucky we are to live so close to an amazing landmark. In all of fifteen minutes you could be hiking through rock city taking in some fresh air. I hope my video has inspired many to venture out and take a hike through the amazing Mt. Diablo.