It will feel like a Hollywood premiere for 11 Clarion University students when their short film, “Reclamation” is shown for the first time May 27 at 11 p.m. at Destina Theatres in Clarion. The showing of the high-definition, 20-minute film is free and open to the public.
“It will be an experience for them to see their work on the big screen,” said Dr. Robert G. Nulph, assistant professor of communication at Clarion University and teacher of Mass Media Arts And Journalism 476:Â Short Film. “This is the first group to complete the film concentration requirements within their major.”
Students Jamie Richard and Stephanie Parker served as the producers for “Reclamation” with the remainder of the class, Katie Berry, Sean Montgomery, David Hollis, Brayton Wike, Lenore Watson, Ray Peace, Ryan Auvil, Toby Bullers, and Kennan Kimes handling all of the crew positions, splitting the duties so everyone got an opportunity to experience all of the different positions necessary for film production.
“I have never seen 11 people work in such a cohesive unit as this group,” Nulph said. “They cared for and supported each other. It is one of the best collaborative efforts I have ever had in higher education and I think it will show on the screen.”
Richard and Parker found the script for “Reclamation” written by Jerod Brennen, a Columbus, Ohio, writer, producer, and director. They approached Brennan and received his permission to film his script.
“Reclamation” tells the story of father, desperate for money to support his family, accepting the offer of a corrupt city councilman to burn down buildings, because reclamation costs too much. Despite his desperate actions under desperate circumstances the father learns that getting what you asked for isn’t always the best.
With the script in hand, an opening casting call was held in Clarion on April 29-30 and location filming in Butler, Oil City, and Clarion and hours of hard work took place over the next three weeks. This involved finding locations and in Butler gaining the assistance of the fire department, who burned a house for them, allowing them to videotape it for use in the film; and in Oil City finding and gaining permission to use an abandoned home for filming.
“This has given the students an opportunity to work on a project that enables them to apply everything they learned in the film program up to their senior year,” said Nulph. “It is a wonderful exercise in film making. They applied everything into practice that they learned in the previous three years. Their reaction has been phenomenal.”
The cast includes Michael Shahen, director, performing Arts Community Classes, Point Park College; Lisa Donati, administrative assistant, community classes, Point Park College; Zachary Hixenbaugh of Pittsburgh; Josh Kriebel and Chad Connelly, both of Clarion; Nulph, as the corrupt councilman; and Wike.
Berry, Parker, Hollis, and Wike were the directors. Montgomery, Bullers, and Kimes were the primary cameramen. Nulph served as director of photography, lighting director, and executive producer.
 “Redemption” is the work of a Clarion University class, but is independently financed. Nulph reports that they plan to enter it in independent film competitions.
Jamie Richard, who received his degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a son of Randall and Gloria Richard of Reading and is a graduate of Exeter Township High School.
Stephanie Parker, who received her degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a daughter of Steven and Janise Parker of Bernville and is a graduate of Hamburg High School.
Katie Berry, who received her degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a daughter of James and Deborah Berry of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and is a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School.
Sean Montgomery, who received his degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a son of Kent and Pam Montgomery of Washington and is a graduate of Trinity High School.
David Hollis, a junior mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies major, resides in Clarion with his wife, Heather, and is a graduate of Jeff Tech High School.
Brayton Wike, who received his degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a son of Rick and Tina Wike of Shippenville and is a graduate of Keystone High School.
Lenore Watson, a senior mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies major, is a daughter of Clark Watson of Centerville and is a graduate of French Creek Valley Christian High School.
Ray Peace, who received his degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a son of Joseph Peace of Mahaffey and is a graduate of Purchase Line High School.
Ryan Auvil, who received his degree in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies in May, is a son of Norman Auvil of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Central Catholic High School.
Toby Bullers, a senior mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies major, is a son of Debbie Bullers of Rockton and is a graduate of DuBois High School.
 Kennan Kimes, a senior mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies major, is a son of Michael Kimes of Grove City and is a graduate of Grove City High School.
