UMHB_Original_Film_Productions_Cru

Danielle Dahmann as Cinderella

Once Upon a Fairytail & Map Thieves
Inaugural CRU Films

UMHB Performance Studies and Computer Graphics Design Faculty have produced the first two original, short, CRU films with their students and Austin independent film professionals. These films are titled Once Upon a Fairytail and Map Thieves. The premiere screenings are to be held at Cove Theatre in Downtown Copperas Cove. The Cove Theater is part of X-treme Uth Ministries, a non-profit ministry providing the community of Central Texas a "Community Center" in downtown Copperas Cove for all to enjoy. The "Downtown Community Center" is open daily from 3pm-6pm for teenagers to come and enjoy the free amenities (pool tables, video games, air hockey, basket ball, cafe, etc.) Tutoring is offered at no charge for those that desire it. Drama classes are also taught for ages 6yrs - 18 yrs. Weekly Bible studies are offered as well as college courses.

The combined UMHB faculty and student film staff has included the following: Project Supervisor, Michael Fox (Performance Studies, Adjunct, Consultant, Instructor); Producer, Dr. Diane Howard (Performance Studies Director & Faculty), Director Film One, Michael Fox; Director Film Two, Eric Shephard (Performance Studies Faculty & Screenwriter); Assistant Director One, Eileen Lamberson (Performance Studies Major); Assistant Director Two, Justin Golden (Performance Studies Major); Casting/Screen Writer, Tara Felmly (Performances Studies Major); Post Production: Ms. Donna Teel (BCIS/Computer Graphics Design Faculty); and Joe D. Jimenez.

The film staff met with interested UMHB Performance Studies and Computer Graphics Design students to introduce the projects for the spring. They screened sample short films and prepared the students for the audition and selection process for crew and cast. Prospective cast and crew submitted resumes and auditions forms. Further, potential cast also auditioned on film and submitted headshots.

Once Upon a Fairytail (Film A) is a fantasy spoof written by Tara Felmly. In it the Fairytale Princesses are all grown up! Arielle and Prince Eric are having a baby, and a funny group of royal divas are part of this laboring experience. A rebellious Rapunzel; an obsessive, compulsive Cinderella; a bossy Snow White; and a Jasminne with carpet trouble are all part of this funny, punny story. Modern times, equipped with cell phones and text messaging, host this slice of life, taking the princesses from their story book castles to a homebirth room in Texas. The following students have been cast in this short. Megan Lee plays Arielle, Marianna Lugo- Jasminne, Jessica Stockel- Rapunzel, Tyna Hammond- Snow White, Danielle Dahmann-Cinderella, Patsy Cook- Midwife, Justin Golden- Eric, and Noel Felmly- Red Riding Hood.

Map Thieves (Film B) is an adventure/mystery short about four men who conspire to steal a rare map from a campus library. The film follows the plotting and consequences of this devious plan. The cast includes the following students: Blake Smith- Bob, Walt Hobbins- Fred, Tara Felmly- the Dean, Megan Robertson- Library Aide, Kayla Jensen- the Dean's secretary, Michael Washam - Dustin, and Kyle Tubbs- Blake.

The entire film production team has involved approximately 40 individuals. The production assistants, boom operators, slaters, grips, gaffers, editors, actors, set dressers, costumers, prop masters, location scouts, make-up artists, and post production staff roles have been assigned to UMHB students, faculty, or associates of the University who have been invited to be a part of this project. Professional equipment and technical support has been provided by contract to outside, qualified sources.

Crew has consisted of the following: Adam Carrell-Set Dresser Film A; Patsy Cook-Costumer Film A, Boom Film B, 3D Graphics & Post Production Staff; Edgar Garcia-Set Dresser, Assistant Editor Film B;Tyna Hammond, Grip/PA, Film B; Jessica Hartfield - Makeup A & B, Editor- Film B; Sara Henretty- Behind the Scenes Photographer, Flyers, Posters; Sean Herbert, Set Dresser- Film B, Editor- Film B; Jana Hobbins- Production Assistant- Film B; Kayla Jensen, Grip & Production Assistant- Film A; and Sara Henretty - Graphics Artist.

Further crew have been William Johnson, Slater- Film A; Megan Lee, Grip/Production Assistant- Film B; Marianna Lugo, Costume- Film B; Jonathan Rhoades, Grip, Production Assistant- A & B, Assistant DVD Production; Megan Robertson- 2d Assistant Director- Film A; Brittney Roseland, 2d Assistant Director - Film B & Prop Mistress- Film A; Blake Smith, Grip, Production Assistant- Film A; and Josh Stephenson, and Assistant Camera Operator- Film B & 3D Graphics.

Furthermore, crew members have included Adrian Turner, Set Dresser- Film A; Tim Walker- 1st Assistant Camera Operator- Film A, 3D Graphics & Post Production Staff; Michael Washam, Grip/Production Assistant - Film B & Boom, Assistant Editor- Film A; Ray Whitlock, Boom, Films A/ B & DVD Production, Assistant Editor -Film A; Ross Akers, Robert Copeland, Sri Fulton, and Benjamin Tindall- Production Assistants; and Heather Roberts, Props Mistress- Film B.