Instead of housing a rock concert or the average bar-goers, the Varsity Theatre hosted the premiere of a few local film makers’ hard work Tuesday night.
Studio 8 Entertainment premiered their first full-length film “Everything is Everything” to a large crowd.
The movie is the product of much dedication from the Studio 8 boys, who have worked for months to create a film to make Baton Rouge proud.
The Studio 8 group was as anxious and excited as the audience before the premiere.
“Yes, actually, I’m very excited. It’s a once in a lifetime thing, I mean how many times can you have your first movie premiere,” said Brock LaBorde co-director, co-writer, producer, lead, actor and editor of the film.
The boys of Studio 8 arrived in style in a limo, trying their best to turn the front steps of the Varsity into a red carpet.
Sound, graphics and generally behind-the-scenes man Javier Marcheselli wore his best duds, a vintage tuxedo he had been saving up for the event.
“I got ready in exactly two mintues and thirty seconds,” Marcheselli said.
A diverse crowd gathered at the Varsity. Students, parents, close friends, and cinema fans came to see Studio 8 Entertainment’s first film.
Marcheselli appreciated the broad spectrum of viewers in the crowd.
“It is a mixture of older and younger people. We get to show our community what we’ve accomplished and it’s a bridge between two generations,” Marcheselli said.
“I think LSU students branching out and doing something like this is very impressive,” said Amanda Vaughn, an art history sophomore.
The boys taught themselves the skills needed to create the film. From editing to sound to acting, the film is a lesson in do-it-yourself filmmaking.
Viewers seemed to realize the hard work the boys put into the film.
“I think they did a lot of homework, worked really hard, and prepared well for it. And it’s going to be a good product,” said Stephen Hamner, an accounting senior.
As the lights dimmed, viewers finally got the chance to see what Studio 8 had created.
“Everything is Everything” is a mockumentary covering the bumbling attempts of three Baton Rouge residents trying to take their dreams out of this town and they eventually meet up in Washington D.C. with their ambitions.
Chris Trew stars as Dale Kernie, a musician filled with drive and ambition, but lacking basic talent. Kernie believes he has composed the nation’s new national anthem, and is convinced he must make “My America” the next “Star Spangled Banner.”
Trew excels at developing the naive character of Kernie. His high-pitched voice and atrocious clothes make it even more hilarious when he bursts into songs about Thanksgiving and the sanctity of marriage.
Trew is a master of facial expressions and physical gags. He makes his eyes twinkle just as the wide-eyed, unintelligent Kernie would.
Brock LaBorde plays Russel Caggle, a would-be documentarist, whose only goal is to make a film about Abraham Lincoln and the Lincoln memorial. Caggle of course, has no knowledge of filmmaking or Lincoln. Caggle adds a bit of satire to the movie and LaBorde performs well.
Truston Aillet is Justin Justice, a super hero with a passion for George W. Bush and saving Baton Rouge. Aillet’s scenes are plagued by too-dark lighting, and rehashed gags.
The movie keeps audiences laughing and rarely drags in its 90-minutes. It is filled with lots of action, avoiding the problem of many independent films.
But it suffers from an initial lack of connection between the characters. It might take a moment to digest exactly what is happening, but once viewers realize what they are watching, they will enjoy every minute.
The audience was treated not just to the film but also to a number of door prizes. From banners to fresh-baked cookies, it was clear the Studio 8 boys’ only goal was to make the audience as happy to see the film as they were to make it.
The next step for Studio 8 is to take the movie to film festivals and try to get the movie picked up for distribution.
Studio 8 has already submitted the film.
Until then, fans can check the group’s Web site www.studio8.net for more information.