BROWNSBURG — In less than 15 minutes, “Crossroads” runs viewers through a gamut of emotions — anger, confusion, and sorrow to name a few. Despite the serious theme of the short film, however, director/producer/lead actor Steve “Papaw” Pyatte said the crew had a blast during filming.
The script was originally written by Michael Garcia of Bearline Productions, but Pyatte said he adapted it and made it his own. Only a few final scenes and some finishing touches on the editing have yet to be done before the movie is premiered in September.
“My intention from the beginning was to keep people from drinking and driving,” he said. “It’s a message different than anyone has.”
Pyatte said that he hopes to use the movie in schools when he speaks to the students, as he often does. He has been doing so for around 18 years.
He added that anyone can purchase the DVD, and proceeds will go to the Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force.
Filming for “Crossroads” began in March and was all done in Brownsburg. Equipment for filming was borrowed from Brownsburg High School and the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department helped by blocking roads for the shoots. Lana Johnson of Brownsburg also loaned out her property for a couple of scenes.
Pyatte noted that everyone involved in making the movie is from Indiana. He said he discovered a major talent in Daniel Risk, Brownsburg High School student and proprietor of Risk Productions.
Risk and Pyatte have worked closely on producing and editing “Crossroads.”
“It was just like a fluke that we met,” Pyatte said. “He’s just an amazing talent. I knew just by looking at his website [www.riskproductions.net] that I had to have him.”
He also thought Risk was perfect for the job because he fits perfectly into Pyatte’s target audience.
“I’m just trying to get my hands on every project I can,” Risk said. “I’m trying to use the things that I do for positive. I like doing this kind of stuff because it has such a good message. That’s what I want to stand for.”
Risk said he plans to continue working toward a career in film after his upcoming senior year at BHS by applying for University of Southern California and UCLA.
Pyatte said he wants the theme of “Crossroads” to remain a mystery up until the September premiere, which will take place somewhere in Hendricks County. He hopes to have representatives of local school districts as well as police agencies and the community present at the screening. He said he will only disclose that the movie conveys a heavy anti-drinking and driving message.
In a sad twist of fate, he added, “Crossroads” lead actress Jamie Wehrheim-Johnson’s 19-year-old stepdaughter, Elizabeth Nichole, was recently killed in a drunk driving accident. A young man in the car with her lost both of his legs, Pyatte said. Although the driver fled the scene, Pyatte said he has since been apprehended.
In addition to the “Crossroads” premiere, Pyatte has set plans in motion for a film festival to be held in March. Through such activities, along with his website www.indianaactors.com, Pyatte said he hopes to gain positive exposure for the Indiana talent and help raise money for charities. All proceeds from the website go to research for juvenile (type 1) diabetes.
For more information about “Crossroads,” visit the website at www.papawinc.com.
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