Local high school alumni part of the 'Juno' buzz

MOVIEMAKERS- Viewpoint School alumni Daniel Dubiecki, left, and Eric Steelberg served as executive producer and cinematographer, respectively, on "Juno." The popular independent film has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture.

Two graduates from Viewpoint School in Calabasas played a big role in the success of the four-time Oscar-nominated film "Juno."

Daniel Dubiecki, who graduated from the Calabasas school in 1995, is one of the film's executive producers. Eric Steelberg, who was Dubiecki's classmate at the school, is the cinematographer.

The Fox Searchlight feature film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Ellen Page), Best Achievement in Directing (Jason Reitman) and Best Original Screenplay (Diablo Cody). The Oscar nominations come shortly after three Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy; Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy; and Best Screenplay.

Dubiecki and Steelberg have been industry collaborators since high school, where they took film classes under the tutelage of Viewpoint teacher Russell Cooper-Mead.

"Mr. Cooper-Mead gave us the tools to find our own way and empowered us," Steelberg said. "Rather than providing structure, he gave us the creative freedom we needed when making short films."

Dubiecki's advice for young filmmakers is to "make many short films and go to as many festivals as possible. By doing so, you will hone your storytelling skills."

Viewpoint's current film students enjoyed a night on the town with the alumni filmmakers at the premiere of "Juno" on Dec. 3 at the Mann Village Theater in Westwood.

Dubiecki is a producing partner with director Jason Reitman at their production company, Hard C, which is housed at Fox Searchlight. Together they produced the feature film "Thank You for Smoking," in addition to many television commercials. Steelberg has been working with Dubiecki and Reitman for 10 years doing short films and commercials.

Written by Diablo Cody, "Juno" explores a teenage girl's unintended pregnancy. The film stars Ellen Page as Juno MacGuff.