Young actors bring life to film

CASEY RESSLER

Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

Grant Olson never rests.

Fresh off a season of directing stage productions at Valley Performing Arts and Palmer High School, as well as marketing his first movie, Olson is embarking on a new project this summer -- the initial shooting of his second feature-length movie, "The Mortician's Son."

"It has definitely been hectic," Olson said with a laugh. "But fun."

Last weekend, Olson and the cast and crew of "The Mortician's Son" finished shooting for the movie's trailer. Perhaps later this fall, but probably next spring, Olson expects to start principal shooting at locations in the Valley.

"I'm looking for several different locations to shoot, but they're tough to find," Olson said.

The movie is about a young man who has a seemingly small idea -- a screensaver that comes on his televisions when the commercials do. Throughout the movie, he gains the courage to ask a woman out, and she notices this idea and tries to turn it into something big.

"My wife calls it an unethical romantic comedy," Olson said. "But like all good romantic comedies, there is a happy ending."

Olson said he has seen many times where someone has a small idea, such as the screensaver, and it gets gobbled up by the corporation, rather than an individual reaping the benefits.

Starring in the movie are Wasilla's John Hartman and Anchorage's Angela Vice. Hartman is a seasoned veteran at the young age of 18, but Vice is making her acting debut in the film. At 21, she wants to make acting her career, and this movie is her first step toward realizing her dreams.

"I love it. I feel like I was born to do this," Vice said. "I am very, very new to acting, but I know this is what I want to do with my life."

She said she is taking her cue from Hartman, because of his experience.

"John is awesome. He's had so much experience, and he's only 18. It blew me away how professional he was," Vice said. "I've been watching him and studying him, and just trying to do things the way he does them."

Hartman said Olson approached him to be in the film, after a last-second cancellation. Hartman said he didn't have to think twice.

"He told me about the project, and I'm like, 'I'm all over this,'" Hartman said. "Film acting is completely different than stage acting, but it's just as fun.

"We had a blast filming last weekend," Hartman said.

Olson said he is very impressed with his two lead actors.

"They really look good together," Olson said. "Even after just one weekend of working together, they have developed a chemistry."

Hartman agreed with Olson's assessment.

"She is a lot of fun to be around. We got along right from the very beginning. We had a lot of fun," Hartman said.

Vice came to the film almost by accident.

One of her friends knew Olson, and Vice and her friend came out to the Valley from Anchorage to watch the final show of "The Miracle Worker," which Olson directed for Valley Performing Arts. Her friend introduced Vice as an aspiring actor, and Olson invited her to audition for the part.

"I think it fate," Vice said. "Almost like I was supposed to do this to start my acting career. I'm so excited about the project."

The film also stars Heather Sheldon, as well as longtime theater veterans Bill Seidler and Suzanne Hermon. Ginny King-Taylor is producing the movie.

Olson hopes to shop the film to festivals around the country, ultimately hoping to land a showing at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.