Duo gets comfortable with directing ‘stars’

Actors Luke Kirby, second from left, and Wes Studi, center, talk with Santa Fe University of Art and Design students Brett Shapiro and Katelyn Peer about their experiences in the university’s “Shoot the Stars” program. At far left is Paula Amanda, associate chair of The Film School at SFUAD. (Eddie Moore/Journal)

College is about gaining life experience. Internships are about gaining work experience. Brett Shapiro’s and Katelyn Peer’s latest project brought them a little bit of both.

The two film students at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design were chosen to helm the two films that made up the university’s “Shoot the Stars” program.

The program provided SFUAD students the opportunity to work with trained professionals on the set, while making a short film.

Nearly 120 film students took part in the program from Dec. 3-7. The students were split into two crews and worked on two movies. Actors Wes Studi and Luke Kirby were brought in to star in the films, which also were written by SFUAD students.

Kirby is a Canadian independent film and TV actor whose credits include leading roles in Sarah Polley’s acclaimed feature “Take This Waltz” and the upcoming Sundance Channel TV series “Rectify.” Studi has played key roles in films such as “Avatar,” “Heat,” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Dances With Wolves.”

“It was a bit overwhelming to actually think about the opportunity we were getting,” Shapiro says. “There were some points while I was on set and just stood in awe of the actors. I’m still in school and I got this opportunity to direct these professional actors. It’s a bit mind-blowing and I’m still coming down from the excitement.”

While both Shapiro and Peer worked feverishly to control their nerves, the duo says it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

“I was questioning if I should really stay with film,” Peer admits. “Then the project came along and re-ignited the passion for film. It’s really good to have that push considering I’m graduating in a couple weeks. I now feel confident in the decision that I’ve made.”

Santa Fe University of Art and Design students work on the set of the webseries “Max Dangerous” during a week of filming at the university. (Courtesy of Santa Fe University of Art and Design)

For Shapiro, being able to participate in the project also solidified his choice to move to Santa Fe and attend SFUAD.

“I was a teacher in California and uprooted my life,” he says. “I left family, friends and a job behind to come here. Getting to work on the film was something I couldn’t have imagined and it worked out great.”

Chris Eyre, chair of The Film School at SFUAD, says he wanted to create an opportunity for students to get a quality experience.

“At the school, we’re trying to teach every aspect of film,” he says. “This program allowed us the opportunity to give students a chance to be in a real world environment. Every aspect was run by students. From the camera work to the crew, it was all student based. We did bring in some mentors to assist the progress of the films.”

The film teams each focused on a script written by two SFUAD students — Andrew Rodes wrote the script for original TV pilot “Boston Post,” while Zach Moore wrote the webseries “Max Dangerous.”

“Boston Post,” which is directed by Peer, is a series that revolves around a major metropolitan newspaper trying to redefine its role in the 21st century. Meanwhile “Max Dangerous,” directed by Shapiro, centers on the title character who is a throwback to the great action movie heroes of the 1980s.

Peer says directing “Boston Post” was fun because it was about recreating a newsroom for a daily paper.

“We were looking at various newsrooms and wanted it to have an authentic feel,” she says. “It was important to cover all of our bases in making the film as true to the newspaper industry as we could.”

While Peer and her crew spent a lot of time working on the set, Shapiro’s “Max Dangerous” was filmed entirely in front of a green screen at Garson Studios.

The background images will be added during post-production and will get help from visual effects professionals.

“I had the entire movie sketched out in my head,” Shapiro explains. “While we were filming, I was busy making sure that placement of each actor was correct. There was one point when Wes (Studi) was standing where the wall would be added in later. That was a hectic time for the entire crew. We had to keep everything running as smoothly as we could.”

While Peer is set to graduate, she says being involved in the project gives her momentum into entering the workforce.

“I’m ready to put myself out there and work on professional projects,” she says. “It’ll be interesting to see how this experience will help me when I land my first job.”

Shapiro still has two more semesters in school, but says it was an honor to be part of the program.

“We set the standard for this program and it’s crazy to think that I did have a part in that,” he says. “The first part of this all is done. We still have a long road of post-production work that needs to be done.”

Both films will head into post-production in January and are slated to premiere on Feb. 24 at SFUAD’s Oscar party.

“Brett definitely has his work cut out,” Peer says. “Not that my movie is completely finished, but I don’t have quite as much as he does. He has to create an entire world now. That’s going to be tough.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.