Unofficial trailer for the upcoming Lawrence feature film FROM ASHES TO IMMORTALITY. Thursday, February 5th is the last day for the upcoming feature film “From Ashes to Immortality” to receive much-needed funding from the community whose setting it uses to paint a story of adventure, drama and romance. If it doesnt receive $4,896.00 in contributions by its end date, “From Ashes to Immortality” — partially set in present day Lawrence — doesnt get any of the money that’s been pledged so far. Pre-screening tickets, DVDs, posters, T-shirts, and roles as extras in the movie are just some of the rewards being offered to entice people to donate and help fund the film. Eric Hyde, a Lawrence filmmaker who also works at Cordley Elementary is directing “From Ashes to Immortality,” his directorial debut feature film. His Kickstarter campaign is needed to raise crucial money for the production. From the title to its envisioned theme, “From Ashes to Immortality” sparks interest, but it is local in every sense. “From Ashes to Immortality” is the motto of Lawrence. Theres a story in his past that also closely resembles the films title. One day in 1994, after dismissal at Broken Arrow Elementary, Hyde was hit by a car on his bicycle. Even though he was wearing a helmet, he was in a coma for 17 days, sustained bilateral, complete closed clavicle fractures, a punctured lung, and multiple contusions in his frontal lobe and deep mid-brain. A large part of his childhood was spent recovering. Now he is making a movie that will be partially shot in the greater Lawrence, Kansas area. Hyde has cast Lawrence residents and artists, including children attending Cordley Elementary in the roles. Lawrence Attorney Lorraine Hilleary will make her acting debut, and Yuri Zupancic, Communications Director for the Burroughs Estate, will play the painter who develops a special liking for her. Experienced Lawrence thespian and playwright Andy Stowers will play the supporting role for the film’s unnamed co-lead. What prompted Hyde to write the story stemmed from his plans to produce an artistic Terrence Malick type montage film set in Lawrence. His movie’s connections came from within the Lawrence community. “I was walking around downtown in December. I needed to find a roof for some exposition shots. I tried several places with no avail. Over and over, I got the same story: liability. A sense of defeat loomed over me. I was tired and cold, but I lifted my chin up and saw the Eldridge hotel. I walk in, ask to film from their roof, and to my surprise General Manager Nancy Longhurst said, ‘Sure, no problem.’ I was shocked, not just by her willingness, but also by the kindheartedness of the employees.” After all, the motto of Lawrence comes from the historic raids of the Eldridge hotel and the town. “At first, they couldn’t find they key, but that didn’t yield excuses. After ten or so minutes of frantic searching Longhurst remembered that the assistant manager had it on his key chain.” “So I started at there. The next weekend, with permission, I was on the roof of Hobbs Downtown, but not before going on set to get some HD footage of WOW’s “Not So Late Show” hosted by Mike Anderson, now a candidate for Lawrence City Commissioner. A few days later, with the permission of Fire Chief Mark Bradford, I was at Fire Station One and they drove me around in their fire truck. Bradford also gave me contacts with LifeStar air rescue, and connected me to Lawrence Police Department Public Relations Director Trent McKinnley. Later, I went to Bowersock dam, and with Sarah Hill-Nelson’s permission, filmed inside the new north hydro plant facility. I knew I was onto something.” He called the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, met with a woman at City Hall, and spoke with Downtown Lawrence, Inc., all agreeing to help Hyde with his vision. Then on Christmas Eve, Hyde met filmmaker Kevin Willmott (“Jayhawkers”, “The Only Good Indian”, “CSA”), showing him footage and pitching his ideas. Willmott agreed to use his production company, Ninth St. Studios in the film if Hyde made something good. Excited about his prospects, Hyde met with Lawrence resident Marc Havener, owner of Resonate Pictures. He thought it was great, but cautioned, “People are going to take time out of their lives to watch this feature, and they are going to pay money. You have to tell a story.” He took this to heart. After conceiving and engineering a zip-line system for a shoot at Global Café, with a local mechanical engineer, Hyde realized the montage film idea was over. “I needed actors, and I struggled to come up with the story at first. Then I met Lorraine Hilleary. I knew she was special. She embodied a type of sensibility and appeal to me that represented the human experience of Lawrence, and with her help, I began writing the screenplay.” Hyde is partnering with Christie Dobson at Through A Glass Productions, a terrific locally based production company that works all over the place. “It is important to tell a story which uses the motto of Lawrence as its title and theme, because it will help the Lawrence art community, which is another backbone of this city.” “Another fun fact is second graders at Cordley Elementary helped me write the main action scene in the movie.” “From Ashes to Immortality” is a film partially set in the greater Lawrence, Kansas area. Its genre is psychology, drama and adventure. Its characters are three Lawrencians: A woman, the painter who develops a special liking for her, and a reckless explorer who embarks on an unexpected journey. The music will be composed by Lawrence native Matt Pelsma, assistant composer for AMCs Hell on Wheels.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:59:47 +0000
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