The Film and Production club wrapped up filming last Saturday for its latest production project titled “Act Shun,” written and directed by senior Kenton Baer.
The film stars Jacob Carson ’23, senior Claire Gaudet, junior Jillian Parks, senior Trevor Cekander, senior Jack Leatherwood, and senior Brooklyn Little.
“Act Shun” is a fictional, comedic script about six actors who perform six self-written monologues, hoping they will not be “shunned,”or voted off the show. In the fashion of a typical reality TV show competition, there is a host, cut-to interviews throughout the action, and drama written between participants.
“The contestants all prepare original monologues, and by the end of it the host decides to ‘shun’
one person,” Baer said. “It’s all pretty satirical.”
Baer said before this project, he had never worked with a group quite like this before.
“I wrote the script, and submitted it and presented it to the club, and then they liked it and then we had a ton of meetings and then we produced it,” Baer said. “I haven’t edited it yet.”
Sophomore Joshua Burnett said he was responsible for determining what the film needed for production.
“I was trying to determine what cameras we need, what lighting we need, what location we need,” Burnett said, adding that he had to outsource production equipment because of its expense.
“The Film and Production club has gotten a budget from the Student Federation for some equipment,” Burnett said. “We have a couple of cameras, a few lights, a few mics, but film’s expensive, so we are always looking for more. I used some of my equipment that I have accumulated, and we also borrowed lights and cameras from other people.”
Baer said he normally uses iPhones for his projects.
“This is the highest production thing I’ve ever directed because we had actual cameras and lights and mics,” Baer said.
Senior and president of the Film and Production Club Truman Kjos said he hopes to have a showing of Baer’s production before the end of the semester.
“Last year, ‘What is a Fundie?’ was released in the middle of hell week on reading day,” Kjos said. “It seemed to serve as a good break for people, and that was in the TV room in the union. Hopefully we will do something similar this year, if possible.”
Kjos said this year the Film and Production club has been trying to expand its audience.
“This year the goal has been to expand across campus and get a lot of other people involved, so that we can help other people make films that they want to and make their dreams come to life,” Kjos said.
The best part of filming day for Baer, however, was the food.
“The most enjoyable part of the day was when Little Caesars arrived,” Baer said. “Everyone was really hungry.”
The Film and Production Club is also working on another film this semester with sophomore Joe Johnson, Kjos said. The working title of the film is “A Peculiar Set of Stairs.”
“I would anticipate this one being more about visuals and getting the production right,” Kjos said. “But it’s still in pre-production right now.”
Kjos encouraged students across campus to pitch their ideas to the Film and Production Club.
“If anyone has an idea for a film they would like to make, feel free to reach out and email me,” Kjos said.