The FST 495 production of “Blue Skies” is the second film by Bad Trip Productions, a collection of students who first came together in the Fall of 2007 to make “The Jaunt.”  This film, based on the short story by Stephen King, was produced under King’s “Dollar Baby” program, which granted non-commercial rights to the short story for the cost of one dollar. 

The experience of making “The Jaunt” was so exhilarating that the students, upon learning many of them would be taking the FST 495 class together the following spring, decided to work to stay together as a crew and make another project.  In fact, the crew enjoyed working together so much that several agreed to work on “Blue Skies” despite the fact they had already graduated from the program.

The story was written by Nick Smith over the 2007 Christmas holiday, after he was inspired to create a challenging and meaningful tale in the wake of his experience on "The Jaunt." Drawing together plot elements and concepts from several scripts he'd considered in the past, Smith crafted the story of Gray Bennett, a struggling writer who can't find direction, and Skylar Thomas, a mysterious young woman Gray meets who will change his life forever.

Smith was selected by Professor Andrew Hulse to direct; Rachel Gallman was named as producer, Meghann Sumner as director of photography, and Todd Gorman as production designer.  MacKenzie Gram and Luke Bruehlman, two graduates of the Film Studies program, joined the crew as first assistant director and unit production manager, respectively.  Sean Crowder and Brendan Kepple were assigned to the project as associate producers as part of their Producing class.  These individuals formed the film’s initial crew, and immediately set upon the extensive pre-production work necessary to make the project’s start date.

“Blue Skies” will go before the cameras on March 28th, shooting over three consecutive weekends at locations all across Wilmington, NC.  With luck, the film is set to premiere at the UNCW Student Screening at the conclusion of the Fall 2008 semester, and from there will be submitted to film festivals across the country and the world.