FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shirley Luna – April 26, 2004

Film by SFA students to premiere

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and Department of Art will present premiere showings of the feature-length film “Planet Texas” at 7 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, in Cole Concert Hall. The film was written, filmed, directed and produced by students in the Department of Art.

            The story is of Alex Mendez, an amnesiac who wakes to find himself in Fugue, Texas, a land in another dimension of time. Once he regains his memory, he realizes he must escape Fugue, but problems arise with State Trooper Nate Cooper.

            Production of the film began in September 2002 with the art department’s film and video students writing scripts and eventually choosing the script “Planet Texas.” Spring 2003 was devoted to script revisions, appointment of directors and crews, selection of actors and props and securing locations.

            Actual shooting of the film began on June 9, 2003, and continued through July 11. All of the scenes were shot within a 20-mile radius of Nacogdoches except for one scene that was shot in Galveston.

            William Arscott, professor of art at SFA and producer of the film, said SFA has had a cinematography program for more than 20 years, and students have produced multiple short films. But prior to the digital revolution, production of feature-length films was cost prohibitive.

            “Now with digital cameras and editors, feature-length movies can be shot and brought to conclusion for a fraction of the previous cost,” Arscott said.

            Within the past four years, SFA has produced three feature films. The other two are “Dead Flesh” and “Darkness and Windows.”

            Advance tickets to the film can be purchased for $4 at the Griffith Fine Arts Box Office or by calling (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS. Online tickets are available at www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

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