Every semester, students take on projects at Powell High School. A plethora of students take part in drama, and many slave away at each year’s major art project. However, few students take on the powerful project of a short film.
Sophomore Reina Hansen and senior Justin Dusenberry have consistently been working on “The Hospital,” a purely student-curated short film that is set to feature educational-level filming with professional-level script and casting.
Even with a limited budget, these students have great plans for a great film. Hansen’s and Dusenberry’s dedication and hard talent will drive them up the entertainment ladder, not solely through this stepping stone short film, but likely to a career of expertise as well.
“People need to see that there can be more to movies, script writing, and acting than just professionals,” Hansen said. “Obviously, there will be challenges, but with dedication, we can put on a great film.”
The film is set in a hospital where a newly admitted mental patient, Evelyn, meets another patient, Jeremy. In the film, they find that there is more to hospitality than meets the eye.
“Through their issues, their relationship, and the need to be normal human beings together,” Hansen said, “they attempt to escape.”
Dusenberry and Hansen have a unique experience acting together. In this project, they get to expand their acting together.
“I don’t get to act on something a bit more dramatic too often,” Dusenberry said. “I don’t think Reina has either, so it is a nice change of pace for both of us.”
Scripting a film to feature only two characters is not easy. It takes a lot of motivation and a lot more concentration when you’re limited to a dialogue between only two characters.
“It makes a difference,” Dusenberry said. “It makes it much more intimate. Reina has written such a deep and interesting plot, and I really am curious.”
Hansen and Dusenberry have previously competed together as a comedic duo in speech and debate across the state. There is plenty to be said about the dynamics of their duo in “The Hospital.”
“Acting is something I love, and it’s a very interesting plot,” Dusenberry said. “And I just get to work with some people that I really like.”
Talent and tenacity only take students so far, yet Dusenberry and Hansen’s experience will take them further.
“Competing in speech together showed how each of us work as actors, and how we go through that process, but also our chemistry on stage, as everyone naturally just responds differently to each person,” Dusenberry said. “I think right now, we have a lot of really good chemistry when we are acting together.”
A restricted budget will not constrain the chemistry of the film’s cast; the online market for hand-crafted short films is also largely popular.
“We are just two theater kids who love to act,” Hansen said. “I think there’s something really cool about two people working together on a low-budget film.”
Even with a strong dynamic between the two lead actors, there will always be challenges that they will have to face together when making this project.
“Some of the challenges that will come with this are commitment, timing, and obviously budget,” Hansen said. “We don’t have any experience with acting in a film, and I don’t have any experience with directing a film, so it’ll take a minute for us to adapt to that specific style of acting while I try to make sure things run as smoothly as possible.”
Even with challenges and a restricted budget, this duo hopes to create a successful short film that will inspire aspiring young actors, directors, scriptwriters, and filmmakers.
“We’re hoping to not only grow as actors but also spark the beginning of inspiration for newer actors,” Hansen said. “With our experience and strong work ethic, I’m confident people are going to spark a newfound liking for acting and filmmaking when they watch us together.”
