By Ellena Sweet | Campus News Editor |
It’s Saturday morning in Newport, and, while most students are spending another weekend sunrise in the warm confines of their beds, a small, committed troop of Salve students are making their way across the fields of Brenton Point. The hour is just past six-thirty and the grass beneath their feet is still slick with morning dew.
Upon reaching the earth’s edge, the group sets up a tall, dark camera on a jagged cliff overlooking the ocean. The air feels notably violent; strong gusts of wind are sending dark waves splashing against the side of cliff. As the sun threatens to make an appearance, the students get to work filming a grizzly scene on the rocks below.
Salve Studios, Salve Regina’s newly formed film production club, has started filming its first feature film, Director’s Cut. The short, found footage style horror film is being shot on location along Newport’s cliff walk and in Brenton Point State Park.
Lily Jones, Co-Executive Producer of Salve Studios, first conceived of the idea when inspiration struck her during a routine stroll along the cliff walk. “I was walking on the cliff walk and happened upon a tunnel that had a sign that said ‘danger,’ and I thought, ‘this would be a really cool place to do a horror film,’” she says.
For weeks, Jones played around with the idea, eventually developing the basis for what would become Salve Studios’ first production. Then, in a fortuitous twist of fate, Jones found herself assuming the role of Co-Executive Producer for Salve Studios in the beginning of the fall semester. With this, she was granted the opportunity to see her vision become a reality.
As Jones struggled to elaborate upon her initial concept, she sought the help of her trusted Co-Executive Producer, Ryan Colwell. Together, they conceptualized a short, found-footage style horror film that follows a murderous ex-boyfriend in his mission to enact revenge on his ex-girlfriend, Andrea, and her motley crew of friends.
While Jones admits that such an ambitious endeavor has proven to be a challenging first project for the club, she finds the effort well worth it. For her, watching her vision acted out on screen has been one of the most rewarding aspects of production. “It’s really cool to have your story and your characters come to life in front of your eyes,” she says. “That’s something that makes it all worth it.”
Included in the films ensemble is Laura Jedynasty, who also serves as Secretary and Public Relations Representative for Salve Studios. Jedynasty plays the part of Dakota, one of Andrea’s friends. “She’s kind of a shallow, uptight person that no one really likes, but I find her very fun to play,” says Jedynasty. “I can be mean to people and not feel bad about it.”
Despite the early morning shoots and the many hours spent standing in the cold ocean breeze, Jedynasty is enjoying being a part of the club’s first major project. “Who gets to act in a horror movie, or any kind of movie when you’re in school,” she says. “That’s why this club is the greatest thing to join.”
For Ryan Colwell, the most enjoyable aspect of creating the film has been the opportunity to watch it come to fruition. “Being able to go through it every step of the way, from the original conception, to the screenwriting, and then being able to film and edit,” he says. “It’s so cool to see this cohesive thing come together.”
According to Colwell, the Salve Studios team hopes to conclude filming for Director’s Cut on Friday the thirteenth. While the group remains unsure of the film’s exact release date, the Salve community can look forward to experiencing the finished project sometime around Thanksgiving break.
