Independent Film will also be a learning experience for Kalamazoo College and WMU students

We’re learning this week that principle photography for “Cherry”, a feature-length movie will be filmed on the campuses of Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, with other scenes filmed at various locations around Kalamazoo.

Filming is set to begin later this month and go for about 24 days.

MICHIGAN TAX INCENTIVES ATTRACTED THE PROJECT

According to a press release, the movie’s writer and director Jeffrey Fine says “We were attracted to Michigan because of the new tax incentives offered to filmmakers.   Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University provide the perfect combination of picture postcard looks and high-tech facilities that our script requires. Plus, educators and local officials have been very supportive of our production goals.”

WEST MICHIGAN COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL BE INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION

The release says Students from Kalamazoo College and WMU will fill roles in front of and behind the camera during the filming of “Cherry”.

Fine says “We intend to make this a learning experience for students by letting them help with camera, lighting, wardrobe, producing, and other tasks.”   “Some students will serve as on-camera extras, and a couple will have small speaking roles.”

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE MOVIE, THE CAST, AND THE FILMMAKERS

“Cherry” is about a college student – again, from the press release: “a comedic but bittersweet story of Aaron, a bright but sheltered freshman who arrives at an Ivy League college to enroll in an elite engineering program picked out for him by his parents. He sneaks into an art class where he befriends an older student named Linda, who, along with her daughter, helps change his outlook on academics and life.”

The lead role will be played by actor Kyle Gallner who has appeared in numerous television shows, including CSI: NY, Law & Order: SVU, and Veronica Mars, and films, including the recently released “Red” and soon-to-be released “Haunting in Connecticut”.

Fine is joined on the production team by his brother Matthew Fine, by longtime film producer Sam Kitt, who has worked extensively with director Spike Lee, and by television producer Paul Kurta, whose credits include The Riches and Veronica Mars.