Stand Up & Shout: Songs From a Philly High School is a captivating documentary from HBO and John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co. It showcases students from Philadelphia public high school Hill-Freedman World Academy as they spend their sophomore year in a music class creating an album with original songs they’ve all written, composed, produced, and performed themselves. Directed by Emmy and Peabody winner Amy Schatz, the film portrays the students returning to the classroom for the first time in two years after the COVID pandemic and witnessing an incredible transformation as they create expressive, encouraging, and emotive music.
Local award-winning musicians Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver, Andrew Lipke, and Bethlehem Roberson, along with program director and music technology teacher Ezechial Thurman, collaborated with the 10th graders to guide and inspire their musical journey.
Oliver, who co-wrote Danity Kane’s “Showstopper”, shares her thoughts on the documentary, “First of all, it’s going to pull on your heartstrings. It pulled on mine,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. “You can expect to laugh, you can expect to cry and you can expect to watch these students come to life right before your eyes. You get to watch them just blossom like a flower right in front of you.”
The film showcases the journey of students who were unfamiliar with a high school environment due to remote learning during the peak of the pandemic. As seniors, they express their excitement for the project and its impact on their lives.
Oliver, Lipke, and Roberson, guided the students through the music-making process, emphasizing the importance of flowing creativity, effective songwriting, and the expression of their truest selves. The students experienced collaboration and independence as they took on various roles, further honoring the unique creative processes of each individual involved.
Though John Legend wasn’t directly involved in the music creation or filming, his role as an executive producer added an exciting layer to the project. For the students, meeting Legend at the Stand Up & Shout premiere was a significant moment, as they expressed their admiration for his work and acknowledged the impact of his involvement.
The documentary is a testimony to the transformative power of music education and the profound influence it can have on young minds. It is a celebration of the unique journey of these students and the dedicated teachers who guided them along the way.
As the documentary continues to stream on Max, the students’ stories serve as a testament to the enduring impact of a music education experience. The film also reflects on the passion and dedication teachers like Oliver have for nurturing talent and inspiring young students to harness their creative potential.
