Established in 1995, the unique project offers junior and senior students in the School of Communications an opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals to produce a 30-minute film in 12 weeks. This year's screenplay, which was chosen from more than 40 competition entries from 11 states and four countries, was written by Andy Graham, a film and video production major who graduated from Grand Valley in April, 2005.
"The script is well done and captures the imagination," said Philbin. "With as much comedy as drama, this script is a departure from the more serious films we've done recently."
Noted Hollywood cinematographer Jack Anderson returned to Grand Valley for his fourth summer as director of photography. Members of the Screen Actors Guild, mostly from the Detroit area, were hired for the leading roles. The film opens with John Hawkinson, as the title character Roy, now in his 30s, heading to the city to reveal what he has been led to believe all of his life - that he was a child of virgin birth, sent as the second Son of God. The story is told by his best friend, Calvin, played by Joe Anderson, an atheist who not only doubts Roy's claim, but worries about the consequences of going public. Janalee Keegstra plays Lisa, Roy's love interest. Walter Harris and Demian Krentz play Andrew's childhood friends.
General admission tickets are $5. A behind-the-scenes "making of" documentary will also be shown. A DVD that includes both the 28-minute film and the 18-minute student-produced documentary will be available for purchase for $15. A reception with cast and crew follows the screening. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/filmvideo, or call (616) 331-3668.
