Siblings Kaitlin and Kevin Saunders review footage in their locally-filmed production Caroline. Photos courtesy of Kaitlin Saunders.
By Ashley Moser
Staff Writer
Do movie stars walk among us right here at Corban College? Why, yes, they do!
Student Jodi Hamre is the lead in “Caroline,” a movie currently being filmed and produced by K Productions in various local venues such as Bush Park, Salem’s Mission Mill, Silver Falls State Park and Althea’s Tea Parlor in Dallas.
Salem resident Kaitlin Saunders, the director and producer of the film has a cast full of students from Willamette University, Western Oregon University, Chemeketa Community College in addition to the five Corban students and graduates in primary roles. The Corban cast lineup includes Corban alumna Tricia Breiter, former student Andrew Benson and students Eddie DeHaven, Don Leavitt and Hamre.
Hamre said her favorite part of filming “is being able to act out some people’s dreams. What I mean by that is every girl thinks it would be cool to go back in time and experience chivalry, ball gowns and English accents as the every day occurrence.”
DeHaven, who has four years of acting experience wit ha Shakespeare program, explained the difference between his stage acting and filming experiences.
“With stage acting, words and movements must be exaggerated. The audience is far away, and to make sense of the scene, they have to be able to hear, as well as see, important events in the stage production,” he said.
“With film acting, actions must be dumbed down, almost to a state of non-existence. This is because the camera is in the action or pointed to it, and exaggerating movements and words would appear corny to the viewers.”
Jodi Hamre (right) and Amanda Wilson rehearse a scene from Caroline. Photo courtesy Kaitlin Saunders.
K Productions consists of Saunders and her brother Kevin, who also plays the lead male role. The production team was born while the siblings were in high school and decided to take their childhood pastime to the next level.
What started with the pair walking around with their mom’s vintage camcorder from a garage sale has turned a second film being produced in association with CCTV, a local television station. It will premiere in late 2008 or early 2009.
“Caroline” is meant to be a film full of good clean fun. Saunders said, “My favorite part of filming is being apart of something that creates something people can enjoy and laugh at.”
With a budget of less than $300 and Saunders acting as director, producer, editor, promoter, hair and make-up stylist, and costume designer, the film has required everyone to put in a lot of work to make it a success.
When asked what inspired the creation of the film, Saunders said, “I am a huge Jane Austen fan and wanted to film something in that time period. Romance, comedy, drama, costumes, and English accents—what more could you ask for?”
In Saunders’ press release she gave a sneak-peak of the film:
“The viewers follow the plight of independent Caroline, who has to endure the match-making ways of her grandmother and cousin who intentionally present her with undesirable suitors so that Caroline will recognize the impressive qualities of Mr. Gregory, a neighborly gentleman who is the talk of the town.
But just as Caroline’s heart begins to awaken, a rumor circulates which could ruin all of her hopes. To find out what happens, you’ll have to watch the film!”