College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Digital Filmmaking students are creating a story about the events of 9/11 which will convey Stephenville’s involvement during the tragic events that unfolded.
The upcoming production is the focus for the college’s sixth annual intersession film. Each year the students re-create a piece of Newfoundland and Labrador history.
Instructor Peter Buckle says most Canadians know of the important role that Newfoundland and Labrador had during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but not everyone realizes that 1,100 stranded passengers on eight international flights were diverted to Stephenville Airport.
“The topic was chosen after showing the past five intersession films at the Arts and Culture Centre in February,” Buckle said. “We put this year’s film topic to a vote and the audience decided on a story about Stephenville’s involvement in the 9/11 tragedy.”
The short film, which is created and produced by CNA’s Digital Filmmaking students, will follow characters from Western Newfoundland and around the world. The story will focus on Garrett Walker, an American congressman with an agenda to tighten immigration laws in the U.S., who finds himself stranded in Stephenville after the United States attack. With no control of the situation unfolding before him, he is forced to watch the situation from afar, meanwhile witnessing first-hand the acts of kindness of the local townspeople as they take care of the passengers regardless of skin color, religion or ethnic background.
Writers Ben Cheeks and Ryan Snook, as well as Director John McKinnon and the team of film students will be working hard to bring this tense and engaging story to life. With the script finalized, the next step is to fill the cast with actors who want to be a part of this important project.
“We are very excited to be producing another film about an important historical event from this area, but to do this film justice we need as many background actors as we can get,” McKinnon said.
There are a total of four lead and supporting roles, and a need for a number of extras, ranging from children to adults of all ages and ethnic groups. No acting experience is required.
Casting calls will be held May 13 in Corner Brook at the Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador Offices from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and on May 14 in Stephenville in the Lecture Theatre at the Bay St. George campus from 12 – 2 p.m.
Organized by program instructors, Buckle and Keith Bonnell, the project promises to be a high-end production that captures the essence of the role Stephenville played in events of 9/11.
For more information on the Digital Filmmaking program visit, www.cna.nl.ca
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Media Contact:
Roger Hulan
Manager of Marketing and Communications
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca
For more information on casting calls:
Peter Buckle (Producer)
(709) 639-4576
peter.buckle@cna.nl.ca
Keith Bonnell (Producer)
(709) 643-7949
Keith.bonnell@cna.nl.ca
John McKinnon (Director)
(709) 640-9096