Last weekend, on Saturday the 3rd of September to be exact, the St. Lawrence International Film Festival held an upscale special screening/gala in the beautiful Performing Arts Centre at SUNY Potsdam in historic Potsdam, NY.
Bringing an audience together from both the United States and Canada, the event was hosted by Ogdensburg native Mark Valley (seen in photo top right). The star television actor charted the course for the evening, mixing equal parts class and humour as he lightened the mood prior to the screening of the Tribeca Audience Award Winning horror suspense thriller Here Alone. Regaling the audience with a Letterman style top 10 list in regards to the North Country, the actor captured the picturesque yet secluded locale to a tee. An example of his hosting prowess: one of his top ten highlighted the area’s mysterious reclusiveness – referring to it as a type of witness protection (as you’ll never be found).
Following the intriguing motion picture, the three filmmakers in attendance – namely; director/producer Rod Blackhurst, screenwriter/producer David Ebeltoft, and producer/unit production manager Noah Lang, talked about their movie in front of an engaged audience. Moderated by Clarkson University professor Brian Hauser, the threesome looked at ease, tossing in liberal amounts of humour as they discussed their quasi-zombie flick, while also providing the audience with a mental picture of just what it took (both physically and mentally) to produce an independent, very do-it-yourself type film.
From left to right: producer Noah Lang; director Rod Blackhurst; festival employee Morgan Elliott; Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams; screenwriter David Ebeltoft; actor Mark Valley
As the crowd swept out of the packed auditorium, they were escorted to the simple yet elegant atrium. Mingling ensued, as well as requisite grazing and libations of all kinds. There was also a photo booth with a professional photographer where guests were able to procure a snapshot with the filmmakers and host of the event. The unique setting also allowed guests to chat with the humble Here Alone team, giving those who took hold of the opportunity the chance to delve deeper into the process of film making and what it takes to get a motion picture made.
Here Alone will be in theatres some time in the new year (2017), so keep an eye out for a review of the film closer to its release. Also, keep a lookout for in depth interviews with Blackhurst, Ebeltoft, Lang, and Valley (with each containing an interesting selection for their personal favourite films).
Lang told me that his father is famed character actor Stephen Lang (star of the box office current number one motion picture Don’t Breathe), so I also thought that this would be a good time to provide a warning that the horror flick will be popping up on this site in the near future.
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with St. Lawrence International Film Festival Founder/Executive Producer Adam Paul
I’d like to congratulate the St. Lawrence Film Festival team for another job well done. It was wonderful catching up with founder/executive director Adam Paul as well as festival producer Michael Coty, and I look forward to attending another one of their fantastical film events in the future. Hopefully, I’m not here alone on that feeling.