EU films debuts its first science fiction film
December 04, 2009
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292
Springfield, MO – EU Films will be presenting Parhadis on Dec. 11, 2009, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., in the Barnett Fine Arts Theatre at Evangel University.
The public is invited; tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for students at the door.
The film is the first venture into science fiction for the University’s Film Workshop.
Parhadis tells the story of two aliens who flee religious persecution on the planet Tupava in the hope of finding help on planet Earth. Eighteen-year-old Cassie discovers one of the aliens and befriends him. When the Tupavan government sends someone to kill the refugees, the story turns darker.
The film was produced and directed by junior James Kerr, Springfield, Mo., broadcast major; and sophomore Zachary Kidder, Plymouth, Wis., film major.
“Parhadis is about spiritual warfare and the idea that God may have created life on other planets in the same fashion as Earth,” says Kerr, producer. “What [the alien] finds on Earth surprises him in more ways than one.”
“It’s been a ton of work, but I think it will be awesome considering the special effects we have added,” says Kidder, director.
Special effects were created by junior Andrew Farmer, W. Lafayette, Ind., electronic media major. Director of photography was senior Andrew Donohue, Fleetwood, Pa., electronic media major., and the film editor was junior Luke Salewski, Boise, Idaho, electronic media major. The faculty adviser and executive producer of the film is Dr. Cameron Pace.
The leading parts in the film cast include actors from the Springfield community as well as Evangel students. Community actors include Allen Marsh and Maxine Whittaker, both of Springfield. Student leads include junior Kattee Smith, Claremore, Okla., electronic media major; and senior Keith Larsen, Kingfisher, Okla., electronic media major.
Parhadis was written by three students in the Film Workshop: Kidder, Salewski, and junior Laurisha Cotton, Fort Meade, Md., electronic media major. The story was originally developed by Kidder, Kerr and Dr. Pace.
“Doing science fiction is a big challenge for students who only have one semester to complete the film,” Pace said. “Production design is a major issue considering we needed alien costumes, makeup and a spaceship.”
One challenge the filmmakers had was in creating an interior set that resembled the control and living areas of a small spaceship. No room was available on campus to build a set, so Pace volunteered his basement. Pace and the film students spent many hours building the set during a six-week period.
Parhadis is slated to be approximately 55 minutes in length. Before the feature, a few short student films will be shown in each presentation. The film was shot in full high-definition quality in 24 progressive frames per second. Original music will also be featured in the film that was written and produced by sophomore Josiah Austin, Hazel, S.D. music industry major.
For more information, visit EU Films.
For additional information, contact Cameron Pace at 417-865-2815, ext. 8413.