Southern Adventist University Student Production "Secret Of The Cave" Hits DVD Today

Student projects rarely reach the magnitude of a recent undertaking at Southern Adventist University.

To teach students the world of film production, the school decided to make a movie.  The result is not your typical student film.

Inside Brock Hall, you'll find a movie studio of sorts, where Visual Art and Design students map out a movie production from idea to distribution.  In the hall, you can hear things like "during photography? Yeah, this would have to be right here," as the process gets underway on a giant board.

"Secret Of The Cave"Their latest completed work is called "Secret of the Cave."  It's the story of an American boy determined to solve the superstitions surrounding a small Irish town.  Director Zach Gray says "in the process he discovers some things about himself and his family."

Some 30 Southern students held key production positions on the film, from set design and camera work -- to editing and cinematography. 

Producer Mark Thomas says "when they graduate they actually know what they're doing when they go onto a film set and get a job, they can put this on their resume and it makes them more marketable."

While students assisted on this movie, its not what most people would consider a student production. The film features recognizable actors, and its marketable, now for sale or rent at several stores.

Stratton TingleStratton Tingle, who graduated from Southern last year, served as 2nd assistant director.  Although some scenes were shot locally, much of the filming took place in Ireland over the course of six weeks.  That's where Tingle says he learned how to manage a crew.  "Sometimes they'd feel like its too cold and rainy to being shooting outside today, but we'd have to shoot anyway cause we had to get the film done, there were a few struggles there."

Back at Southern, research begins on the next project.  Like "Cave," it'll be a positive story that promotes family values.

The straight to DVD film can be found at several outlets.  Blockbuster, Movie Gallery, Hollywood Video and RedBox all carry it for rent.  Online retailers like barnesandnoble.com, christianbook.com, silverplatters.com, cduniverse.com, amazon.com, and adventistbookcenter.com also have the film available for purchase.