Summer fun filming a slasher flick

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What better way of whiling away warm summer days than trying to kill off all your friends? On film anyways.MARIE-HÉLEN LYLE AND SARAH CHRISTENSEN MUG FOR CAMERAMAN SPENCER HART. PHOTO BY RICHARD AMERY
For Lethbridge movie buffs Sarah Christensen and Clint Mattson of 5205 Studios, filming their first slasher flick is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“Comedy and horror are what we consider to be our favourite genres,” Mattson said adding the new film based on a story written by Mike Goruk and turned into a screenplay by Brad Goruk, tentatively entitled “Rusty” is no exception.
It is being filmed this week on Mattson’s dad’s farm outside of Hays, east of Lethbridge.
“It’s a horror movie in the ilk of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre combined with a bit of crime drama plot twist,” producer Clint Mattson described.
“It’s about a group of six individuals who end up stranded on a deserted prairie farm and end up fighting for their lives,” added Sarah Christensen, who plays Hope, one of the first victims, wracking her brain for a description of the plot without playing spoiler.
“It’s a race for survival to see who will be left,” she added.
While rehearsals have been underway since the cast was chosen in May, the producers are busy running around tracking down things like costumes and special effects.
“I’m so excited about it,” Christensen enthused.
Preparations for the film began during Reading Week in February when “Memoirs of Thomas Church” was being filmed. That film will be screened again at Henotic, Aug. 25.
Christensen said the cast (Charlie Christensen playing Blake, Marian Godfrey playing Reagan, Ashton Cull playing the criminal Willis and Curtis Gallagher playing his compadre Isaac, Sarah Christensen playing Hope, Marie-Héléne Lyle playing Faith, Richard Amery playing Rusty and Mike Goruk playing Scarecrow) have already started to bond during rehearsals for the movie.
“This is perfect. It’s an opportunity to work with local talent to develop a show and collaborate to develop something wonderful. It’s wonderfully horrific,” Christensen continued.
“I’m excited because how often in life are you going to get to bring a dream to life. And this is a dream of mine. We’re finally at a point where we can make it a reality,” Mattson added.
The film production company formed in 2004 when Brad Goruk bought a camera and he and his friends Mattson, Mike Goruk, Reilly Fenton and Charlie Christensen started making their own films.
“We were just filming little short films. I think we made about five of them,” Mattson said adding the latest, “The Memoirs of Thomas Church,” premiered at the beginning of the year.
After the film is completely filmed and edited later this summer, the producers are planning several local screenings and will enter it in film festivals throughout 2010 including TromaDance in Park City, Utah, Jan. 20-23. It is a festival for low budget independent horror films.
Christensen is enjoying watching everything come together according to plan.
“I love watching people do what they are good at and love doing,” she said.
“I like seeing the teamwork and seeing what goes into the process,” Mattson added.
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat editor
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