Miami Student

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Front Page

Junior Dan Battistone and Miami alumnus Stephen Murray act as first assistant cameraman and director

Three years ago, JC Schroder, Miami University student and president of the Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors (M.A.F.I.A.), began brainstorming an idea for a new film that he never imagined would become what he calls the largest movie production in Miami's history.

With a cast and crew of more than 100 people, comprised of students, alumni and film industry professionals from all over the country, thousands of dollars are being spent to ensure the success of this film.

The product of Schroder's imagination, The End of All Things, a film that began production about three months ago, conveys the story of an explosion that occurs on a crowded college campus, the aftermath and how the characters of the film react to their situations, according to Schroder.

"The film takes a close look at the lives of nine different characters that experienced the disaster firsthand," Schroder said.

Originally, when the concept of this film was thought up three years ago, Schroder put his ideas for this disaster film on the
back burner.

"I realized my idea was not plausible, because of how big it would be, let alone, how expensive it would be to film," Schroder said.

However, Schroder decided he was ready to make this movie when he saw the success of his film Freedomland at last year's first annual Oxford International Film Festival. Freedomland has been critically acclaimed at many global film festivals, such as the Lite Brite Film and Music Festival and the Oxford Film Festival, and was awarded four stars by filmthreat.com, one of the leading independent film companies in the world.

According to Schroder, the money for the film came from the profit of his other films, and the use of the actual camera equipment was funded by Associated Student Government (ASG). The success of Freedomland made it possible.

"Anyone who attends the 2008 Oxford International Film Festival (OIFF) that will take place from April 10-13 can see this film," said Darren Bailey, one of the leading roles in The End of All Things and a Miami alumnus. "The film will then go on to a national film festival circuit, where it can be seen by thousands more."

Schroder used the profits made by the success of his previous films to fund his new project.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools