Suburban teens worked behind scenes on sci-fi kids movie 'Alternate Universe'
More than 150 local teens worked behind the scenes on the new sci-fi kids movie, "Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission," starring Steve Guttenberg and Harry Lennix, which premiered Tuesday on iTunes, Google, Amazon and other streaming services.
Their involvement was through Fresh Films, a free program based at Augustana College in Rock Island that gives students an opportunity to work on a real movie set using their STEM - science, technology, engineering and math - skills.
The teens who worked on "Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission," came from all over the suburbs, including students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elgin, Triple Threat Mentoring in Aurora and City of Hope in Bolingbrook.
For seven days and six nights during summer 2015, they rotated through a variety of behind-the-camera roles, doing everything from sound effects to filming. They worked on the movie set, or in the edit bay, to learn the ins and outs of film production.
For many of the teens, the experience helped crystallize career goals.
Rhegan Graham of Arlington Heights auditioned to be an actress in the movie when she was 16 years old. When she didn't get the part, one of the producers suggested she apply for this program.
"That ended up being the most incredible thing that could have happened to me. It was amazing ... a really eye-opening experience for me," said Graham, 18, who is now studying filmmaking at Emerson College in Boston, a school she first heard about while working on the set.
Jeff Phoulavong, 17, of Elgin, said he got to help with everything from script writing to audio production on the movie, and it taught him just how much work goes into making a film. He loved the audio production part so much, he's now looking for jobs in that field.
"That would be my dream job," he said.
"Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission," is the story of two orphaned girls' backyard science project that turns into a mission to find their missing parents in another world. The evil Verstag, played by Steve Guttenberg, tries to thwart the family's reunion.
It's based on the real quantum physics of wormholes. Scientists from NASA, the University of Chicago, the Southwest Research Institute and the Adler Planetarium all helped to ensure the fictional sci-fi movie's scientific accuracy. Even scientist and Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville makes a special appearance in the film.
The film was made possible by grants from the Dunham Foundation and the Best Buy Foundation, as well as through production support from Blackmagic Cameras, Dell and Microsoft. All the proceeds go toward more student film programs, teacher tech grants and student scholarships.
Starting in April, teens can visit Fresh-Films.com to apply to be part of the free 2018 summer filmmaking program.