WKU News

Several WKU faculty, students and alumni are working on a short film this summer.

“Woodshed” is written and directed by Professor Travis Newton (School of Journalism & Broadcasting) and produced by Dr. Dawn Hall (School of University Studies). Dr. Ted Hovet (Department of English) is the associate producer.

The film will feature two of WKU’s most prominent acting alumni, Matt Long (Helix, Lucky 7, Private Practice, Mad Men) and Derek Wilson (Preacher, Plan Z, The Last Girl, Rectify, Macbeth on Broadway). The crew is made up of current WKU film students and recent alums of the WKU film program, including independent cinematographer Max Moore.

The film will be shot in July at locations around Bowling Green including Rich Pond and the WKU Farm. The film was partially funded by a grant from the Research and Creative Activities Program in the WKU Office of Research. When completed, Newton will submit the film to festivals around the country.

In the past two years, Newton has written and directed “Leave No Trace” (starring late WKU faculty member Paul Bush), which was shown in several regional film festivals; and directed “Gym Shorts” (written by WKU film student Andrew Cox), which was recently selected for the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival. Both films were also produced by Dr. Hall and featured WKU students and alumni on the crew.

Newton provided the following synopsis of the plot for “Woodshed”: After getting in a fight at school, Zachary hides out in his uncle’s pickup truck in the family barn. When Zachary’s uncle Jacob catches him, he’s sure he’ll be punished. In a magnanimous, if perhaps reckless, gesture, Jacob offers to let Zachary drive his truck to get cigarettes. Zachary is only 13, and Jacob’s had too much to drink. On their trip to the convenience store, the pair bond over music and their shared penchant for delinquency. The confidence building exercise bonds the teenager to his uncle but further drives a wedge between Zachary and his concerned father. Will the young man grow up to be like his ne’er-do-well uncle or his responsible father?

Contact: Dawn Hall, (270) 535-7360; or Ted Hovet, (270) 392-8665