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•  For more information about the film go to studentseven.com. For more information on Indiana University Cinema, visit www.cinema.indiana.edu.

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May 1, 2012

New Albany native’s film to debut Thursday

Web series to be shown at IU Cinema

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com

NEW ALBANY — It’s taken three years, but Sam Sher is about to see his dream hit the big screen.

Sher, a 2009 graduate of Indiana University and a 2005 graduate of New Albany High School, has written and directed a movie “Student Seven,” which will premiere Thursday at the Indiana University Cinema in Bloomington. The film is about 60 minutes long and is described as “Harry Potter meets Bruce Lee.”

In the movie, seven students form a group called “Gamer’s Brigade” showcase their creative talents and make a game. Through dealing with rival groups and an oppressive board of directors, they must prove their honor to themselves and each other, all while asking the question, “What is honor, anyways?”

“I’m really excited about it,” Sher said. “I’ve never had anything of mine in a theater before. A lot of people worked hard on this project.”

Sher said about 40 to 50 people worked on the film.

“Everyone was so dedicated to the project,” he said.

The actors and other crew members volunteered their services. Many were friends of Sher’s in the IU School of Telecommunications.

The film was shot three years ago on the Bloomington campus and has been in the production and editing phase since 2010. The film was produced by Chelsey McKrill, and several students and community members — along with members of a local martial artists school — were used in the film.

“Most of the crew were students. A lot of people were really enthusiastic about this project and put a lot of time and effort in it,” he said.

Sher said while student actors and extras were used without pay, he said the film is professionally done and is a first-rate product. He said rehearsals were held every day since “we had a year to shoot it. We had plenty of time.”

After the film premiere Thursday, Sher said he will be moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the movie industry.

“It’s something I wanted to get into since I was a kid. It’s the only thing I wanted to do,” Sher said. “I prefer the directing side of the industry. I like to read a script and visualize the story. I think it’s a lot of fun.”

The film, which Sher said would probably be R-rated due to language and fight scenes, will be shown at 9:30 p.m. and admission is free.

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