Photo provided Cast and crew for the short film “Blue” were shooting on location this past weekend in Columbus.
A short film based on a local student’s experiences during the pandemic may be making its public debut in August.
In March of 2022, Pigasus Pictures announced that Piper Parks, a CSA New Tech student at the time, had won the fifth annual “Project Pigasus” screenwriting contest.
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. As the winner, Parks worked with Pigasus and local students to shoot her short film, “Blue,” in Columbus this past November.
“We will hopefully hold a public premiere as a fundraising opportunity next month to help the (Crump) theater and Constellation Stage and Screen,” she said.
A private, red carpet premiere of the film will take place at the Crump Theatre tonight, with cast and crew in attendance.
According to Parks, organizers worked with state fire marshals as a part of their entertainment permit to host the special private event. She added that she’s glad they’re able to hold the event at the Crump, as the theater was featured in the film.
“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.
Pigasus Pictures’ nonprofit arm, Pigasus Institute, was previously the producing entity for the Project Pigasus screenwriting contest. However, the institute has since merged with Cardinal Stage and the Bloomington Playwright’s Project to form a new organization, Constellation Stage and Screen.
Pigasus Pictures still exists as a separate entity and continues to collaborate on the contest, which is now known as Project Constellation.
“I’m looking forward to reuniting with everyone from Constellation Stage & Screen again!” Parks said in an email. “I had so much fun working with them last fall. It still feels like a dream come true to finally see this on the big screen with everyone.”
