The Academy of Seminole to Premiere Student-Created Short Film at SSC

Josh Hutton

The Academy of Seminole will showcase the work of student filmmakers during a public premiere of the original short film “Stay Awake” on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium at Seminole State College. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

The event, presented by The Academies of Oklahoma, will feature a gold carpet and premiere-style experience for students, families and community members. Attendees will also have an opportunity to view behind-the-scenes footage from the film’s production.

In this photo, AJ Cutler, IT administrator for The Academies of Oklahoma, assists student Gabe Jones with operating a camera during production of the short film “Stay Awake.” Actors Jaxon Davis, Krislee Tobey, Olivia Bennight and Mia Clark are pictured in the background.
AJ Cutler, IT administrator for The Academies of Oklahoma, assists student Gabe Jones with operating a camera during production of the short film “Stay Awake.” Actors Jaxon Davis, Krislee Tobey, Olivia Bennight and Mia Clark are pictured in the background.

“Stay Awake” was created by students through Spartan Productions as part of a film camp led by AJ Cutler, IT Director for The Academies of Oklahoma. During the camp, students participated in multiple stages of filmmaking, including story development, acting and production.

Cutler, who has experience producing films and other creative projects, guided students through the process of developing an idea and bringing it to the screen. The project gave participants hands-on experience with the collaborative and technical aspects of film production.

The suspense film follows a student who struggles to remain awake during class. Each time she falls asleep, she awakens in an alternate world where she is pursued by a mysterious creature. As the distinction between the classroom and the alternate reality begins to disappear, she realizes that staying awake may be her only way to escape.

In addition to the completed film, the premiere will include behind-the-scenes footage documenting the production process and the students’ experiences working together on the project.

The event is intended to recognize the students involved in the film and provide the community an opportunity to see the results of their work. Organizers encourage attendees to dress in premiere-style attire for the gold carpet event.