Erin Blasinski
Managing Editor
Senior Eric Blackburn's film, The John Doe
Project, began shooting on Sept. 27, but as of Oct. 25, production “will no
longer be moving forward,” stated Blackburn in a letter sent to the film's cast
and crew.
Blackburn said that film production was stopped “due to differences in creative
aspects of the film.”
“I talked to a lot of people and as hard as it was (to stop production), that's
what we decided,” Blackburn said.
Junior Grant Foster, director of crew two, co-producer and editor of The John
Doe Project, said he was disappointed that the project had to come to an end
because he feels that it could have been really good.
“(Ending the project) is a lost opportunity for everyone involved,” Foster said.
Kenny Suit, associate professor of communication and faculty adviser for
Blackburn’s film, said it is unfortunate that the movie could not be made, but
“that's cinema.”
“It’s a sad fact but a lot of films end up this way. It is just the nature of
the beast,” Suit said. “Film art is not like painting or sculpture art because
those are individualistic arts. (Film) is more like theater or dance, a
collaborative art form.”
Suit said Blackburn did the right thing by ending the film project when
Blackburn saw deep dissatisfaction with the way the film was being produced.
Blackburn said he could not comment on the specific problems that caused the
termination of the project.
“Due to extenuating legal issues, we feel that it would be in the best interests
of both parties in disagreement if the project would come to a close,” Blackburn
wrote in the letter to the cast and crew.
As of Wednesday, no one who had worked on the project knew of any legal actions.
Junior Josiah Potter, who was cast for the lead in The John Doe Project, said he
was disappointed that the film was terminated.
Suit said Blackburn won’t give up movie making. “Eric is chomping at the bit to
make a film,” Suit said. “If he can't make John Doe, he'll make something else.”
Although production has stopped on The John Doe Project, Blackburn is excited
about beginning two new films, one short film and one long film. According to
Blackburn, the same crew will be involved with the films and main characters
from the first film will be used in the new films.
The short film, entitled Revisions, was written by Meredith Swanson, WJHL-11
news producer. Junior Crystal VanMeter and East Tennessee State University
senior Tabitha Williams will have the only two roles in the film.
“I’m excited about (Williams and VanMeter) being in the film together, because
they are great actresses,” Blackburn said.
VanMeter is eager about being in the short film.
“I’m always open to doing new things,” VanMeter said.
According to Blackburn, the project will likely be finished by the beginning of
the spring semester.
The second film, currently untitled, is written by Blackburn and is a modern
retelling of the Old Testament book of Job.
The film will run 45 minutes to an hour. Potter will be the lead in the new
film.
“I am happy that I get to work with Eric again,” Potter said. “He is awesome and
a great director.”
Blackburn is still working on the script but is anxious to have the cast and
crew together to begin preparations.
“We are going to do pre-production this semester and begin shooting next
semester,” Blackburn said.
His plan is to have the movie done in time for the spring film festival at
Milligan.