Photo provided Cast and crew for the short film “Blue” were shooting on location this past weekend in Columbus.
Columbus was once again the site of lights, camera and action this past weekend as an Indiana-based film company worked to bring a local graduate’s screenplay to life.
Local students worked together with a team from Pigasus Pictures and CSA New Tech graduate Piper Parks to shoot her short film, “Blue.”
Pigasus co-founders John Armstrong and Zachary Spicer announced in March that Parks had won the fifth annual “Project Pigasus” screenwriting contest (later renamed “Project Constellation”). The Indiana-based film company had invited high school students in the state to write short screenplays — 12 pages or less — based on their own experiences in Indiana.
Parks is now a student at the University of Indianapolis, studying English with a focus on creative writing. However, she was able to return to Columbus to be a part of filming.
“It was insane, but in the best way possible,” said Parks. “It was absolutely amazing. I loved getting to watch the actors bring it to life. The crew was so, so kind. I loved being there. I loved watching the lines get delivered. I loved the actors kind of improv-ing and asking me questions, making sure that they were doing everything right.”
She was able to work with the director, point out things she wanted to fix, and speak with the actors portraying her characters. She reported that filming went well, despite some rain on Saturday, and the crew got everything they needed.
The filming of “Blue” had been pushed back a number of times due to scheduling obstacles such as the local prom, Parks leaving for college, and the film’s initial cinematographer coming down with COVID-19. Parks is unsure how long it will be until the finished product is ready, but post-production could take as long as nine months. She expects to be involved in editing the film.
During the filming process, Pigasus also shot interviews with Parks for a mini-documentary about the making of “Blue.”
“Blue” was inspired by Parks’ experience struggling with loneliness and depression amid the pandemic. She said that going outdoors and looking at the “art and beauty” of Columbus helped with overcoming her depression.
Some of the local landmarks featured in the film include the Crump Theatre, The Commons, Mill Race Park and the Cummins Corporate Office Building.
