A slice of college life with `24 pictures a second'; WPI student's old Shepherd Hill buddies help turn movie-making dream into `Something Remote'.

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

From video production class at Shepherd Hill Regional High School to national film festival hopefuls, four friends who traveled separate paths after graduating in 2005 reunited on the set of "Something Remote," an independent film written and directed by Alex Laferriere, from Dudley, and produced by Nick Allain of Charlton.

The feature-length film premiered Jan. 9 to an audience of about 200 at the Elm Draught House Cinema in Millbury, and now awaits its calling to film festivals.

Nine months of work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Alex's off-campus apartment in Worcester produced the 92-minute brainchild memorializing his collegiate experience.

"I wanted to write a film about my life in college. Instead of taking a picture, I thought let's take 24 pictures a second and make a film out of it," Alex said, adding, "This is a slice of my life with my three roommates."

The story portrays that which the three roommates hold dear - a sofa, the remote control and pizza. Attempts to relax and enjoy all three are repeatedly interrupted by a relationship fiasco between one roommate and his ex-girlfriend.

Christopher Gilrein, of Charlton, also a 2005 Shepherd Hill alum, was one of many who rallied at the premiere in support of his former classmates at the school in Dudley.

"I was just blown away by the turnout!" he said, adding, "When you hear `independent college film' you have a certain expectation going in, but this definitely shattered the mold. The film was fantastic!"

"Something Remote" has been submitted to 12 film festivals, including South by Southwest in Texas, the Las Vegas Film Festival and the Boston Underground.

"This is the time we start hearing yea or nay from the festivals. We should hear by the end of February," Alex said.

Alex first became interested in filmmaking during his junior year at Shepherd Hill, under the tutelage of video production teacher Sean Cusick. He and friends Rebecca Davis of Dudley, Chris Haley of Dudley and Nick helped orchestrate the school's student-driven morning show "SHAM," short for "Shepherd Hill a.m."

"We all collaborated on `SHAM.' We really kicked it off together," Alex said.

When the four graduated in 2005, Rebecca went off to Drew University in Madison, N.J.; Chris to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams; Nick to Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., and later transferred to Becker College; and Alex to WPI.

Having played football for four years at Shepherd Hill, Alex joined the WPI team and began studies in mechanical engineering. While assisting friends with a video production, something clicked and he suddenly saw his future through a new lens.

"I made the choice to change my major the first term at WPI to Interactive Media and Game design," he said.

Later in his freshman year, Alex joined campus group Kilroy Sketch Comedy, where he quickly rose to the ranks of the director.

Alex contacted Nick and the two formed production company Broken Wall Films in 2006. The company had five short films to its credit when the partners set their sights on a feature film.

During a filmmaking internship in Cape Town, South Africa, Alex wrote "Something Remote." The team cast local talent including several WPI students. One was Rick Desilets, who plays roommate Mat.

Reaching back to his childhood friends, Alex cast John Selig as roommate Erik; Chris as Neil, the roommate trying to cope with a messy breakup; and Rebecca as the ex-girlfriend Lisa.

Steve DiTullio, from Wilmington, met Alex at WPI and joined Broken Wall Films in 2008 to become the feature film's assistant producer.

The film budget of $300 speaks to the production company's frugal use of resources and creative use of technology to yield a quality film on what some families would consider the cost of a trip to the movies.

While awaiting word from the film festivals, Broken Wall is booking local venues. The movie was shown Feb. 13 at Clark University, and will be shown again March 4 at Becker College's Leicester campus.

"We're trying to do the college scene to develop a fan base," Alex said.

The four graduate from their respective colleges this spring - Nick with a degree in interactive media, Chris with a degree in fine performing arts, Rebecca with a degree in theater arts and dance; and Alex with a degree in interactive media.

As for what Alex has written for the next scene in his life, he said, "I'm applying to grad school to hopefully gain a more academic approach to filmmaking, but if Broken Wall takes off, I would definitely forgo that and pursue the film career."

For more information and to view the "Something Remote" trailer, visit www.brokenwallfilms.com.

What: `Something Remote' screening and Q&A session

When: 7:30 p.m. March 4

Where: Becker College's Leicester Campus, Borger Academic Center, Daniels Hall, 9 Washburn Square, Leicester

How much: Free

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: DEBBIE LAPLACA

CUTLINE: (1) The cast and crew of "Something Remote" are all smiles at the Elm Street Draught House in Millbury after the movie premiered there Jan. 9. (2) Film director and writer Alex Laferriere gets comfortable with the stars of "Something Remote" at the Elm Draught House Cinema in Millbury Jan. 9. Giving Alex a place to stretch out are, from left, John Selig, Rick Desilets and Chris Haley.