Cinema program celebrates full length film being published on Amazon Prime
Lee University’s cinema program has officially released a full-length film, produced and directed by faculty members and starring Lee students, that’s available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime.
“The Good People of Orphan Ridge” is a movie depicting the lives of two musicians working to record their last album in a place known to be haunted. Trouble brews when the characters find themselves in a spooky situation.
The students and professors' hard work has paid off as they've officially left their mark in the movie industry after several years in the making. “The Good People of Orphan Ridge” is the first movie created by Lee faculty and staff to be published on Amazon, making this accomplishment a reason for celebration.
“I think art of any kind has the capacity to change minds and change souls that make people feel certain ways for or against something. I think that God made us a creative people. I think one of the ways in which we most profoundly like the image of God is in our capacity to create and so when we use our imagination to create stories to create art, I think we honor him,” said Jeffery Nichols, cast member and senior cinema major.
To produce this chilling film, the cast and crew of “The Good People of Orphan Ridge” went to great lengths to draw viewers into the unnerving story of the movie.
Every detail down to the costuming added to this film, gaining recognition and publication.
“They made a bunch of black billowy robes to put me in, added a bunch of latex on my face on white paint. They made this cap, long, pointed calf, out of red cells, where they covered my eyes, superblock, like linen, and then they hung strings of deer teeth and chicken bones. That's crazy. Yeah. They then also ended my teeth with high fructose corn syrup, and had been dyed black. ” said Nichols.
“The Good People of Orphan Ridge” was written and directed by Matthew Fisher, associate professor of communications and cinema professor.
“To see students kind of come alive in that context was really great. They were so bought in and did such good work. So I don't think I'm overstating that for a lot of people, it was one of the best things or one of their favorite things that they did. It was probably my favorite thing I've done as a professor,” Fisher said.
This movie was filmed in several local locations, two being historical properties owned by Lee University: the Hardwick House and the Dethero House.
The cinema department at Lee University creates an outlet for students to explore and develop art and originality.
“It’s the ability to share stories, people’s stories, for people to be able to create empathy. It’s a very rare art form where people can visualize someone else’s journey in life. Being able to express that so others can understand is what makes there something very special about the form and the medium,” said Corinne Lothers, producer of “The Good People of Orphan Ridge” and Lee alum.
With this film being published on Amazon, it has created excitement for the cast and crew involved as it took the sacrifice and dedication of many to achieve this mark in Lee history.
“It's a pleasure for me, because a lot of times we don't realize how long it takes to tell a good story to discover one and I've gotten good at helping people to find them. And that's probably my favorite thing I do. I can really take or leave like the paperwork and the committees and stuff. But helping young artists find their story is my favorite thing,” said Fisher.
To watch “The Good People of Orphan Ridge” on Amazon Prime, click here.
