KSU Independent Films names scriptwriter for new feature film “Unlucky”

Kent State’s feature film pre-production class reviews forms called call sheets on Thursday Jan. 22, 2015. Call sheets will be used during an upcoming production.

Kent State University Independent Films chose its scriptwriter for its upcoming feature, “Unlucky,” premiering May 2016.

Senior electronic media production major Nathan Mitchell wrote “Unlucky,” which is “a romantic comedy with an environmental theme,” said Traci Williams, an associate lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Buddy Candela, president of Kent State University Independent Films, said Mitchell’s script was selected as the winner of the organization’s scriptwriting competition last semester.

Mitchell said the film tells the story of a boy named Sam and his family who are unlucky due to a family curse. While at college, he meets a woman named Liz and falls in love. However, they are separated from one another and embark on an adventure to reunite.

The film is currently in the pre-production process and will begin filming in June and into August.

“We’re working on our third draft right now, and I’m expecting at least 10 (drafts),” Williams said. “We’re still working out some character issues. We’re still working out some plot issues. So, things are changing, every class, things are changing.”

Williams teaches a pre-production class at Kent State to help prepare for when the filming process will begin in June.

In the fall, there will be a post-production and audio class offered as well to assist with the filming. However, admission to the class is competitive due to the limited number of seats available. Students interested in the class are asked to be a junior or senior level standing, submit a reel and have an interview with either Williams or associate professor David Smeltzer to join.

“This semester we’re going to be hiring our crew, we’re going to be casting the film, we’re going to be location scouting and we’re going to be fundraising,” Candela said.

Kent State University Independent Films will begin interviews for its filming crew the week of Jan. 26 and auditions for the cast will begin the week of Feb. 23.

People interested do not have to be a Kent State student to try out. If interested in auditioning for either cast or crew, contact Kent State University Independent Films at [email protected].

Contact Jessica Darling at [email protected].