VAN BUREN, Ark. — "Critical Hit" was filmed in Bigelow, Arkansas and Van Buren. Cast members on set describe it as similar to Stranger Things but with dungeons and dragons.
Short film director Levi Smith has been working on this movie for the past two years. He says to him it's important that filming takes place in Natural State.
"Arkansas is a really, really beautiful place with a lot of great places to shoot, a lot of great places to film movies, and a lot of a lot of the time it often gets overlooked. we want to make sure that film is appreciated in Arkansas and even in a small place like Van Buren, my hometown, we want to make sure that people know you can film a really great movie," said Smith.
About the film
The film is about four characters in a fantasy world. "They're trying to save the fantasy world of Avondale. The catch is that none of it is actually real. It's all just a D&D game. So it's four kids around a table. And so half of this movie is in real life with all these four kids, and then half of it is in the fantasy world with a bunch of people with chain mail, and they're out here with swords and everything, but they're talking like teenagers," said Smith.
Talent
Not only is this movie filmed in Arkansas, but the entire cast and crew members are also local talent.
"There are so many talented people in Arkansas that a lot of people don't know about, that a lot of people haven't discovered yet, or that a lot of people just aren't looking for. What we really wanted to do was stick to Arkansas talent when we could," Smith said.
If you get the chance to watch the short film, the message Smith wants you to know is that it's about coming together while building a friendship.
"All of this production design, all of these skeletons, all of these decrepit soldiers, all these fantasy characters with swords. It all leads back to this is a story about teamwork, friendship, forgiveness, and brotherhood. There are all kinds of themes we can play with, especially with those kids that are playing the game."
Production for the movie ends on Friday, June 21. The director does plan to submit this film to an Arkansas film festival but is still deciding which one.
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