'Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant,' Hollywood-style

The cast is assembled. The sets are being built. The crew is growing. Everyone in Mt. Pleasant is excited as "Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant" on Friday.

In March, writer/director Roger Marsh was in Mt. Pleasant to promote his docudrama "Haunted R&R" and start the open casting call for his next project, a comedy titled "Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant." He has been in a state of pre-production ever since.

Since then, the stage script has been translated into a movie script. The main actors have been cast. Eight supporting actors have been cast. A crew of 30 has been assembled. The 250 extras for two scenes have been contacted, and the scenes at the R&R Station, streets in Mt. Pleasant and the Geyer Theater in Scottdale have been scouted and prepared for filming, which is set to start Friday morning.

Marsh, a Greensburg native, contacted the main characters by phone to offer them their roles; every cast member accepted and from there, Marsh took time to get to know his actors and their personalities, which influenced some changes in their lines, as well as suggestions for new locations. Two of the lead actors are from Scottdale, two are from Greensburg and two from Sewickley.

"We just sat around and hung out together," Marsh said.

The main actors have gotten involved in early production of the film, working with Marsh on their lines, helping to move equipment and calling the hundreds of extras to make sure they would be there for their day in the spotlight.

Marsh, who lives in Chicago where his production company, Tremont Avenue Productions, is based, said filming his second project in Mt. Pleasant has brought about unique cooperation rarely seen in a big city like Chicago, where many Hollywood films are being shot.

"When we see movie sets (in Chicago), people have a ho-hum attitude about it," Marsh said. "In Mt. Pleasant, people here aren't used to a full-length movie being shot in the area."

That, said Marsh, is a good thing, as the project becomes very community-driven. Everything he would need in Mt. Pleasant can be found in Mt. Pleasant or the surrounding areas.

"Whatever I asked for, I got it," Marsh said. "All of the elements of the big city are here -- there's talent and energy."

Along with talent from local stage productions, Marsh has brought in many non-actors who approached him, because they appeared to fit a certain part in the production.

Marsh said he has had luck assembling a crew with local talent that includes light and sound designer Dave Williams, site manager Sherry Wingrove and assistant director Matthew Beucker, a second-year film student from Murrysville.

"There's absolute gems in Mt. Pleasant," Marsh said. "We have a volunteer army to get this thing going."

And an army he will need for "Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant."

The last project had four crew members. This time he needs more than 30. The cast was required to sign a one-page contract last time. The contract for this project is 11 pages. The last project took two days to film. "Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant" will take two weeks.

"It's overwhelming, but that's expected," said Marsh, who's faced with 18-hour days.

Marsh is still looking for a couple of spots to fill in the crew and even some extras for a large outdoor scene for Saturday. Marsh will have a casting call at 11 a.m. with a noon shoot, which is expected to finish at 4 p.m. This will take place at the R&R Station on Main Street.

He's looking for anyone with a car to volunteer for scenes being shot Saturday. He is looking for 80 cars to be in the shoot starting at 1 p.m. and expected to end at 4:30 p.m.

For more information on getting involved as an extra, crew member or to have a vehicle in the movie, contact production manager Shawn Galligan at 773-988-0802.

For more information on "Mars Attacks Mt. Pleasant" or Tremont Avenue Productions, visit www.dimenovel.com.