Media Day scheduled for GVSU Summer Film Project

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Hollywood cinematographer Jack Anderson has returned to Grand Rapids for his fifth year as director of photography. California native Elizabeth C. Grant is coming on location to see her script "Story Time," translated to film. It's all part of an intensive 12-weeks known as the GVSU Summer Film Project.

Now in its 12th year, the unique project offers Grand Valley State University students in the School of Communications an opportunity to work side-by-side with film industry professionals and use professional equipment, including a half-million dollar Panalfex Super 16 film camera, on loan through a generous program with Panavision. They produce a short film, from start to finish, during two 6-week classes, and premiere the finished project at a local theater in the fall.

***MEDIA OPPORTUNITY***
Due to many requests, a Media Day has been scheduled on the filming location for Tuesday, June 13 from 3:30 p.m. to about 6 p.m. The location is the home of Toni Perrine, a professor in the GVSU Film Program. The address is 220 Jefferson SE, at the corner of Aurora, in Grand Rapids. The scene being filmed is exterior shots of a party.

"Story Time" is being produced and directed by Robert Hurst, an independent filmmaker and visiting professor in the GVSU film and video production major. Hurst and Anderson are leading an all-student film crew made up of GVSU film/video majors, including first assistant director Adam Werth and camera operator Bob Jardien.

Filming challenges have included an evening accident scene where a child actor is trapped in a car in a river. Art Director Dave Soukup said among the many safety precautions they planned are an off-camera tow truck cable securing the car in the river and a crew member with blankets and life jackets hiding in the back seat.

This year's screenplay, "Story Time," was written by Elizabeth C. Grant of Sherman Oaks, California. Grant's writing credits include a produced one-act play and an article in Playboy. She currently teaches sociology at Chabot College and continues with her screenwriting. Her script was selected out of 68 competition entries from 13 states and three countries. It is a serious, character-driven story that unfolds as the film progresses, about a woman in her 30s who is a recovering alcoholic.

For more information contact Mary Isca Pirkola at GVSU News and information (616) 331-2221.