Local children and teens who starred in the “Beyond Under” production include, from left front, Christopher Stewart, Benton; Hannah McNelly, Old Fort; Chloe McNelly, Old Fort; Susan Stewart, Benton; Nathan McNelly, Old Fort; back, Robert Peak, Ocoee; Ben Peak, Ocoee; Dawson Peak, Ocoee; Jonathan Stewart, Benton; Ethan McNelly, Old Fort; Silas McNelly, Old Fort; Gideon Stewart, Benton; and Riley Peak, Ocoee.
The movie, filmed entirely in Polk County, was written and directed by 14-year-old Christopher Stewart. More than two years between script and premiere, Stewart, who is from Benton, used the opportunity to learn more about a field he would like to pursue. He said the project was filmed using one camera and microphone that cost less than $1,000.
It was edited on a computer that is almost 10 years old.
“From the beginning we said God got all the glory and it was all for Him. ... God’s brought us here and He gets all the glory for it,” said Stewart.
The film’s cast consisted of four main families and more than 60 local extras. The movie made quite an impact on those involved with the process.
“Seeing it tonight made all the hard work worth it,” said Julie McNelly, mom to four of the actors and an extra herself.
Stewart hopes to produce another movie in about one year.
He will spend that time earning the money needed to purchase some much-needed supplies for his production company, S.C. TreeHouseProductions, named after the Stewart Children treehouse.
Anyone interested in obtaining a DVD copy of “BEYOND UNDER” or making a donation to future projects, contact the Stewart family at sctreehouseproductions.weebly.com or send an e-mail to sc.treehouseproductions @gmail.com for more information.
