Reward offered in dog abuse case

Comment by rosebud5: Wednesday, September 8

This sick redneck mentality of persons who think the correct way to treat an animal is to drag it to...read more...

Reward offered in dog abuse case

Comment by L: Wednesday, September 8

That's pretty much what I wanted to say to Ironman, but I was afraid they wouldn't print it...new at...read more...

Commissioners consider higher tax rate

Comment by cat-eyes: Wednesday, September 8

Using our tax dollars to run ads on T.V. To promote WInchester!! Making A point that ads will run du...read more...

» Read more recent story comments
» Register for your account

With his first feature film under his belt, director Jason Epperson is coming home to celebrate.

Central Kentucky residents will be the first to see the newly completed “Unrequited” at a special public screening July 27 at 9 p.m. at Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville.

“This is kind of a thank you for our family, friends and fans,” Epperson said.

For local audiences, this screening may be the only opportunity to see the movie. Although “Unrequited” has been picked up by European distributors, Epperson and producers Jeff Day and Tom Lockridge of Lucky Day Studios have not found a domestic market yet.

“It’s a little up in the air as to what kind of release we’ll get,” Epperson said.

The movie is a true Kentucky project, written and produced by Lexington residents Day and Lockridge, directed by Epperson and filmed throughout Central Kentucky, including Winchester.

“Our goal has always been with this project to create a film we’d all be proud of,” Epperson said.

Although there are no definite plans for a domestic release, “Unrequited” has been picked up by the ArcLight distribution company.

“ArcLight is a really good distribution company, so we were really excited about getting those guys on board,” Epperson said.

“Unrequited” has been garnering some attention on the film festival circuit over the past few months. The movie will be screened at the AceFest Film Festival in New York City on Aug. 20 and at the Gore Zone Film Festival in London on Oct. 2.

For Jeff Day, a screenwriting instructor at Asbury College, “Unrequited” has been a great way to learn more about the art of filmmaking.

“It’s been unbelievable, the learning curve here has just been amazing. Tom and I have done everything,” Day said.

“Unrequited” is the first feature film for Lucky Day Studios.

“Tom and I have just walked through this whole thing together, just stumbled through it and figured it out. It’s really helped us establish our company, Lucky Day Studios, and helped us stumble into our next film,” Day said.

Day said that he, Lockridge and Epperson are hoping that having actor Michael Welch from the “Twilight” franchise in their film will help generate publicity and give them more credibility.

“Internationally it certainly has helped us. What we need and other independent filmmakers are looking for is for Michael to hit something big. He’s done a good job getting himself in front of people.

The fans of ‘Twilight’ know who he is, so that’s what we’re counting on,” Day said.

Still, even if “Unrequited” doesn’t get a major domestic distribution deal, Day said that he is still happy to have completed the project, and to be involved in so many facets of the filmmaking process.

“It’s surreal. It’s hard to believe looking back at that whole journey. We wrote it in 2008. It was amazing that we wrote it and a year later we shot it. It’s a very thrilling and humbling experience,” Day said.

After the screening, fans will have a chance to show their appreciation not just to Epperson, Day and Lockridge, but also the film’s stars. Leading actress Sarah Habel will be at an after party at Baker’s 360 in Lexington. Welch is tentatively scheduled to appear, barring any commitments for the “Twilight” series.

“If we can get a lot of people there and get some coverage of it, that would definitely help us. I think the main thing we want to do is celebrate what we did,” Day said.

The next step for “Unrequited” are screenings in New York and Los Angeles this fall for distributors.

“It’s really tough for an independent film to get theatrical distribution. We have two film companies that are very interested in it, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot,” Day said.

In the meantime, though, Day, Lockridge and Epperson have plenty of work to keep them busy.

The trio will partner together to make “The Joy Cart,” based on the true story of a Lexington child suffering from cancer who created the “joy cart” to deliver toys to other sick children.

Epperson also will be tackling another true story with “Impact After the Crash,” a documentary about the 1988 Carrollton bus crash.

Anyone interested in donating to the non-profit project can visit www.theimpactmovie.com.

Day said that success with “Unrequited” can help get support for future films.

“This can help establish us in this area as filmmakers, so as we move on with the next projects, people will know, these are the guys that did ‘Unrequited,’ they know what they’re doing. There’s a lot of things that we’re trying to accomplish here to establish our company,” Day said.

Contact Rachel Parsons at rparsons@winchestersun.com.

Story comments

No comments on this article yet.

Posting comments on this web site requires free registration.

• Create your account
• Log in to your account