After several months of hard work, Will Perkins can finally rest easy. His movie, "Midway," is complete.
Perkins graduated from Pillow in the spring. Knowing he wanted to enter film school when he went to college, he began putting together a movie that would help his cause. It's not the first movie Perkins has done, and it won't be his last.
He chose the old Midway Hotel for the setting, and with the help of devoted friends - who just happen to be in the movie - Perkins transformed the old downtown landmark into what he perceived it would have been like in its heyday in the 1940s.
One stipulation upon entering film school was that his movie had to offer a viewing to the general public. That dream will be realized at 2 p.m. Sunday as Perkins offers the public a glimpse into the world of the Midway Hotel. The movie will be open for public viewing in the fellowship hall at St. John's United Methodist Church. There is no admission charge.
The movie, shot in black and white, is a mixture of mystery, romance and murder interspersed with fictional characters and folk stories, some believed to be true. Viewers will recognize lots of Greenwood faces, both young and old. It even lightly addresses racial issues that were prevalent in the 1940s, when the movie was set.
The movie features 10 major and minor characters, 15 supporting actors and actresses and 28 nameless extras.
The movie also features the musical abilities of Debra Atkinson and Paul Brown.
Perkins finished shooting the movie just over a week ago, and he has been editing for several weeks, including putting in music and voice-overs.
The cast and crew gathered at Viking Range Corp. on Thursday to view the completed movie for the first time.
"It's really a good movie," said Will's mom, Linda Perkins. "I am amazed that a teenager could write a story like this, put it together and make it work.
"I think people will be impressed," Linda added. "We're grateful for all the good folks who have made Will's dream come true."
Although Perkins is happy the project is complete, he still is putting some finishing touches on the movie.
"I'm always the most critical person of my own work, and although I think it is good, the movie didn't do justice to the location of the hotel. There were so many things that happened there that I didn't get to put in the movie," Perkins said.
With no budget and only a two-month time limit, Perkins set his sights high and now has a finished product he can be proud of.
He's also offering the public a chance to own their very own copy of the movie.
DVD copies of the movie are available for $10. That includes the movie, the making of the movie and bloopers. VHS copies also are available by simply providing Perkins with a blank VHS tape. A VHS copy with additional footage will cost $5.
For more information, call Perkins at 453-1086.
