On Tuesday, June 25, I drove to Northern Virginia with my mom and two brothers for the cast and crew screening of "The Senior Prank." To say I was excited is a huge understatement. But at the same time, it was still so surreal. We made a movie? I was the star in a movie? Over 1,000 have already seen this movie? I'm finally going to see this movie? The reality wasn't sinking in, and it didn't until the film actually started playing on the big screen. Then there was no denying it.
A full house! People from the Kings Chapel church were also invited.
People kept asking me if I was nervous to see it. I thought I would be, but the only emotion was excitement and eager anticipation. During the film, I sat there between my mother and my friend Felicia, so conflicted with different emotions. I was overwhelmed with how beautiful the film looked (great job to our DP, James Suttles!) and the wonder of it all... I actually starred in a real movie!
With every scene, I was gripped again by the emotion that I had experienced through my character. It's a good thing nobody could see my face as I watched it, because each of those emotions rippled across my face in a constant ebb and flow. (If you know me, you know how expressive I am!) I wondered if I would cry towards the end. I came close, but the excitement of seeing it for the first time kept the tears at bay.
One of my favorite characters to watch was my mom, played by Kera O'Bryon. What a brilliant performance! Her delivery and expressions kept me laughing! I had no idea what was going on while I wasn't looking directly at her (and the other actors) during our scenes.
When you're on the acting side of the camera, you really have very little idea of what the scene will look like and what YOU will look like. You have a sense of what the scene will be like from reading the script, but then to see it all edited together... WOW!!! Most of the film surpassed my high expectations. And the parts where I had felt unsure about my performance worked just fine! (That was a huge relief!) Everybody did such a fabulous job, both the cast and the crew. What an honor to work with them and be a part of this film. It has touched many lives already, and I pray that God will continue to use it mightily.
By the time the end credits rolled, I felt like my heart would burst. The film was incredible. So many people spoke to me afterwards and congratulated me, and I think my favorite moment was when two little girls wanted their picture with me. :-)
A huge crowd stood outside the screening room and talked for along time after the film was done, and then a smaller group of us walked to a nearby frozen yogurt place and visited for at least another hour. My brother and I didn't head back to the hotel until 11pm.
I can't wait to be able to share the film with my friends. And I can't wait for all of you to be able to see it! It is a high quality film that director Donald Leow (and all the crew) can be proud of!
Now for some pictures...
With my friends Felicia Geobel and David Cook!
We worked on "Alone Yet Not Alone" and "The Screenwriters" together.
With the lovely couple who hosted me during the filming - Kim and John Bottimore!
Frank and Amber, two of my awesome co-stars!
My amazing friend, Cheryl, who kept me sane (and sometimes insane) during the filming. Haha! I love her!
My wonderful family! (Sadly, my dad couldn't come because of work.)
It meant so much to have them there.
L-R: Jade played my best friend in the beginning of the film, Donna played Erin's mom in the opening scene and also worked in the hair and makeup department, and Kera played my mom!
Several members of the cast and crew! Great to see them again!
My friend and director, Donald Leow.
Two awesome people I met on set - Arel and Sheila!
With Chris Craddock, who co-wrote the screenplay with his wife, Katherine.
My friend, the tall and talented actor, Josh Murray. :-)
Well, I have tried the best I could to express what this evening was like for me, but it is beyond words. I hope we can have a screening near my hometown soon so that my family and friends can see it! If you're on Facebook, be sure to like The Senior Prank Facebook Page to watch for announcements of other screenings! It might play in a city near you! We've already had three screenings in Texas and two in Virginia. I would love to see it spread across the country. If you're interested in BRINGING it to your area, write here for more information: info@stonetablefilms.com.
Oh, and most unexpected moment of the night? Being asked if I was single, on behalf of someone's friend whom I had just met. I must say, interest generated from people I don't know or barely know is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. At least he was a really nice young man, unlike the others, who are mostly internet creepers... :-)
