DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) – Christian film company One Compelling Picture is looking to recruit extra actors for a film they’re currently working on in Douglas.
The movie, “Redwood,” is being made by the movie company with the help of many businesses and churches in Coffee County.
Sidney Bryant, film writer and director of the film, says the movie was inspired by Ahmaud Arbery. The team seeks to promote unity, love and social justice in the community and the country.
”We’ve been doing this now probably 12 years or so, and our productions improve over time because we add and we have the benefit of having community,” Bryant said.
The 72-day-old writers’ strike has significantly reduced production in Georgia in recent months. Thousands of workers such as set builders, production assistants and camera operators are out of work. Bryant says about 60% of the cast are independent and they usually only hire local actors.
“Right now, the state is feeling the burden of the writers’ strike because studios. If they can’t get writers in to write new shows then they can’t produce new shows. The writer’s strike has not impacted us. Being independent does allow us to skirt that, those different things like that.” Bryant said.
Internship opportunities the production were presented to film students at the University of West Georgia. Three students traveled to Douglas to gain valuable film set experience for two weeks. Carter Johnson, a West Georgia sophomore, says he enjoys being on set to learn beyond the classroom.
“It’s critical that you have hands-on experience because I have taken all these classes; I have read books through high school. You think you know something until you go on set and it’s nothing like what you read in the book,” Johnson said.
Zainabu Temple, a local actor, told WALB she is grateful to be a part of a community-based film that gives opportunities to those who seek them.
“To see people around in these smaller neighborhoods and smaller areas, especially in the country, to have those opportunities, it’s very essential for them to know that those dreams that you have is not something you have to move away in order for it to happen for you,” Temple said.
The extras will be needed for a scene on Saturday, July 15, from around 6-10 p.m. at the Coffee County Courthouse. The scene will portray a “community protest scene involving the injustice murder of a young boy, and the protest is to promote unity, love, and social justice among the community and country,” according to a release from the company.
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