Press Release: Bringing Hollywood to Denver

  • By D. Veasey
  • Director of Media Relations
  • Regis University
  • University Relations
  • 303.458.3537
  • 303.204.5986 cell
  • dveasey@regis.edu

Regis University film program teams with “Avatar” Oscar winning director of photography, top ten writer/director to watch, and former Denver Bronco/current NY Jets player to produce a short film.

Advanced student filmmakers in the Regis University Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in film and video production program are teaming with writer/director Michael C. Martin, Oscar winning Director of Photography Mauro Fiore, and former Denver Bronco and current New York Jets player Trevor Pryce to produce a short for a film project called Hell Bank Note.

The BFA program in film and video production is offered in collaboration with the Colorado Film School.

Hell Bank Note will be sent to festivals worldwide and used to pitch the feature concept to the major studios and production companies in Los Angeles. If buyers are interested, a full feature film production may follow.

According to Sandra Gabrych, chair of the film department in Regis University's College for Professional Studies (CPS) and faculty producer on the project, this will be the first Hollywood short for the students in the Shooting Action and FX (Effects) senior year class.

"The goal of the project and the Artist in Residence program is to create a professional production setting for students to collaborate with professionals in the field and have their work seen by the top talent in Hollywood," said Gabrych, who has worked on several Hollywood feature films including: "The Devil Wears Prada", "Chicago", "Big Fish" and "Gangs of New York".

Regis University affiliate faculty members Scott VanOrstrand, director of photography, and FX Supervisor Ed Kramer ("Star Wars", "Harry Potter", "Pirates of the Caribbean") will co-teach the class. Several industry professionals in Colorado are also donating their time to work with students, including Colorado based production designer Lynne Mitchell.

"Our role is to provide students hands on experience with notables such as Michael Martin and Mauro Fiore in the production of the short during the course," said Barry Martin, dean of the CPS School of Humanities and Social Sciences. "Students are involved on the short since that fits quite tidily into the format of the class."

Martin noted that students will be in principle photography for three days, and then on to post production to work on the visual effects and final edit.

In addition to his NFL exploits, Pryce is a successful writer/producer in Hollywood. The project, Hell Bank Note, is his concept. Pryce is also donating funding to the class for the short production.

The writer/director of the film, Artist in Residence Michael C. Martin, writer of "Brooklyn's Finest", and one of Variety Magazines top ten writers to watch, will work closely with advanced cinematography and editing students.

"Avatar" Oscar award winning Artist in Residence Director of Photography Mauro Fiore will also be on set to work with students and faculty and lend his expert advice.

Shooting for the film will be in downtown Denver Nov. 7, 12, 13 and 14.

The BFA program, which is part of the CPS School of Humanities and Social Sciences, prepares students for professional careers in the film and video production fields while also focusing on a strong theoretical foundation.

For more information on the filmmakers visit: