Fund-raising party kicks off Alaska film project

After several years of writes and rewrites, private and public readings and a stage production, Sundog Films of Alaska is ready to start principal shooting in March for its productions of the Rupnik/Sterling production of a Grant Olson film, "Crossing the Rubicon."

The low-budget, feature-length film presentation, to be shot in video and then transferred to film, will be looking to identify potential investors at a fund-raising party at Mead's Coffeehouse in Wasilla on Feb. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The party begins at 6 p.m. with a meet-and-greet the cast and crew, to be followed at 7 p.m. by video clips from last summer's second-unit shoot. Included in the presentation will be a pitch by Olson, the screenwriter and director.

"Crossing the Rubicon" concerns a young teen-age boy, Trevor Harrington, a genetic mutation so incredibly brilliant that he's been identified as a new species, who must meet and marry a qualified young woman in order to propagate his new species.

Ruby Crawford, a brilliant and beautiful young candidate, is recruited to go to Alaska on the pretense that a dying boy has requested her through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In this faraway, secluded area just outside Talkeetna, Trevor and Ruby meet.

The sparks fly in more ways than one. But before this science-fiction romance can settle in for happily-ever-after ending, their newfound stardom threatens to end their romance before it has a chance to begin. "Crossing the Rubicon" is a bittersweet romantic comedy that entertains, provokes and surprises, Olson said.

"I wanted to write an adult comedy about young love," Olson said. "I wanted it to resonate with meaningful commentary about the fragility of life and love."

By setting it in Alaska, featuring local talent, Olson hopes to start a film/video industry that uses Alaska as a backdrop for important stories.

"Maverick filmmakers in remote and isolated locations, with unknown stars, are making waves on the international film scene," Olson said. "This is what we hoped to do."

"Crossing the Rubicon" features an all-Alaskan cast. The two stars, David Mead and Kelsey Myrvold, are both Wasilla High School graduates. Other key roles are played by seasoned theater veterans Steve Treacy, Rachel Underwood and Cynthia Lee. More than 30 other supporting roles will feature Alaskans as well.

While Olson's background is in theater, having directed more than 50 plays and musicals and written numerous stage plays, he has always maintained an interest in film.

Olson's producing team, headed by producer Jacquelyn Rupnick, executive producer Scott Sterling and unit production manager Gini King-Taylor, has assembled a top-flight crew to help him tell his story. Like Olson, many have their roots in theater.

"What they lack in experience they more than make up for in enthusiasm," Olson said. "We all know how to tell a story."

Anyone interested in receiving an invitation to the gala kickoff fund-raising party may contact Olson at 745-5831.