Mashes Sands Beach Becomes Movie Set for FSU Film School Students

{sidebar id=1} The beach at Mashes Sands became a temporary movie set for a group of Florida State University Film School students this past Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, complete with large cameras, actors, and creative props.  According to Alex Engle of Ft. Myers, an FSU film school student, Florida State University is one of the few schools in the country with an undergraduate film school program.  "All of us out here today are in the film school," explained Engle.  "We each have to direct a thesis film before we graduate."  Engle said the film school provides a great foundation for the students, and is almost all hands-on learning.  

Engle, who hopes to pursue directing and writing after graduation, said the movie being filmed at Mashes Sands, titled "Apotheosis", was based on a Greek myth about two goddesses vying over how the earth should be run.  One was the goddess of light, and the other the goddess of darkness.  The same actress was playing both parts, with a body double on hand for shots that needed both goddesses to appear in a scene at the same time.  "Each goddess has something they are afraid of; one is afraid of antlers and the other is afraid of rose thorns.  They end up holding a foot race to see who will decide the fate of the earth, but in the race they each must face their fears." 

Engle said a total of ten scenes were included in the film, and each one required a new set.  "We get a budget of about $200 for each of our films," explained Engle, "compared to the graduate students who receive a budget of about $30,000 for each of their films.  It forces us to be very creative."  He described how some of the scenes would be shot in front of a green screen, with backgrounds added later.

Jessica Silas, the creator of the film, was on hand to guide  the actors and crew throughout the shoot.  Pete Martich served as sound mixer, and was responsible for all sound and sound effects in the film.  He used a directional, or "boom" mike to help eliminate background noise.  "I try to get all the sound here that I can to save work later," explained Martich.  

The intricate costumes for the film were designed by production designer Will Eng.  He also designed all the props for the set, which included an elaborate set of rose bushes with thorns and white antlers, made mostly from paper mache.   

According to Engle, each student would have the opportunity to serve in each capacity of film making before they graduated.  "We will each get the opportunity to serve as director, producer, production designer, sound mixer, etc. before we earn our degree," he explained.  Engle also said the film school holds open auditions each spring and fall for members of the community who might be interested in taking on a part in the school's films. 

Filming at Mashes Sands begin bright and early on Sunday morning, and continued until Tuesday evening.

This article orignally published on June 27, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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