Fort 91原创 is known as one of the most ideal settings in B.C. for filming movies. Countless films have shown the fort, the community hall, and the countryside around the historic village.
What芒鈧劉s not as well known is that 91原创 is producing a growing number of people destined for film careers.
Two actors have landed plum parts in Suspension, a psychological drama.
It芒鈧劉s thanks to a 91原创 Fine Arts School graduate that Suspension is being filmed in 91原创 and Fort 91原创 in the first place. Jeffrey Lando, a director, producer and cinematographer, had wanted to shoot Suspension in Los Angeles, but Sage Brocklebank convinced him to choose 91原创.
Brocklebank, Suspension芒鈧劉s producer, knows 91原创 well.
One of the leads in Suspension, 91原创's Rustin Gresiuk, 19, plays Frank.
The LFAS student is Annie Bellis. She plays mean girl Brenda.
Gresiuk has landed a dream role, although he芒鈧劉s sworn to secrecy over his character. He is hugely impressed by Lando芒鈧劉s directorial expertise, helping actors get inside their character芒鈧劉s personna. That is plainly evident when you see the two go over a scene, frame by frame.
芒鈧揌e is amazing, unreal,芒鈧� Gresiuk said of Lando. 芒鈧揌e芒鈧劉s a very good director, very experienced, and he works well with the cast. He shows you exactly what he wants you to do in each frame.芒鈧�
In an interview on a recent cold, Friday night on location at a south 91原创 property, Gresiuk spoke fondly of his 91原创 roots: He was a student at Belmont Elementary, and was also homeschooled. Somewhere in between school and family life, he managed to play in the 91原创 Minor Hockey organization.
Gresiuk began acting at the age of 12, and thanks to his mom who managed to have him signed by an agency, Gresiuk芒鈧劉s credits already include a role in Flickr 3, and the TV series Fringe, which was filmed in Vancouver.
He auditioned for the role of Frank in Suspension at the beginning of March, and within a couple of weeks, the cameras were rolling and Gresiuk assumed the role of Frank.
It芒鈧劉s clear that he is completely at ease in front of the camera. He芒鈧劉s equally relaxed (and utterly charming) in an interview that takes place just before he goes on to his next scene, a house party. Despite his young age, Gresiuk is aware that for all the triumphs, there are many, many more disappointments. And he knows that rejection is all part of the working life of an actor.
芒鈧揑n this industry, you need to love what you do,芒鈧� he said.
芒鈧揧ou get thousands of No芒鈧劉s and that builds character, and I芒鈧劉m learning to take those No芒鈧劉s to become a better actor. I want to succeed in this industry and do better work on camera,芒鈧� said Gresiuk, who works with a private acting coach.
Kevin Mosley, who is the screenwriter and production designer, said the cast and crew are having a good time working in 91原创. 芒鈧揥e are having such a blast here. It芒鈧劉s so much fun,芒鈧� he said.
He and Lando had been trying to make the movie for about 10 years. They collaborated on Savage Island, their first independent horror film which did quite well, picking up seven awards in the US and Europe.
In 2004, Lando was about to start shooting Suspension, 芒鈧揵ut we had to pull the plug the day before because we lost our lead actress,芒鈧� Mosley said.
Lando went on to make more movies for sci-fi channels in the US.
In November, things began to roll with Suspension, which had a working title of Sitter芒鈧劉s Night.
芒鈧� As the script evolved, we found that the script didn芒鈧劉t fit [the title] so we changed it to Suspension,芒鈧� he said, adding that he made 28 drafts of the script before he was completely happy.
The project was given that name 芒鈧揵ecause it芒鈧劉s about suspension of belief, suspension of reality,芒鈧� Mosley said, revealing that it has a psychological aspect to the horror, making it a cross between Carrie and Halloween.
芒鈧揟his is independent film making at its best,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揈veryone is loving it and making sure it芒鈧劉s the best.芒鈧�
Whether the movie will be shown on television or in cinemas isn芒鈧劉t yet known.
芒鈧揙ur goal is for a feature film,芒鈧� Mosley said. He芒鈧劉s planning for a showing at the Toronto International Film Festival芒鈧劉s Midnight Madness which highlights horror movies.
