University of Oklahoma | School of Art | Independent Film Project at OU

NORMAN--- Friday, 10 September 2004, 7:30 P.M. The Independent Film Maker Series presents "Venom".

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

“Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat ‘till the very end.” VENOM, by CwC Productions, is presented by the Independent Film Project in the School of Art on Friday, September 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Kerr Auditorium. Award winning producer/director Brett Bower (“Star-Crossed”) and members of the cast and crew will participate in a question and answer session following the screening. The event is free and open to the public.

Two lives intertwine when a respected psychiatrist crosses paths with a disturbed patient. After sharing a few drinks in a bar one night, both agree to meet the following week for a therapy session. What follows is a psychological mind-game with a chilling conclusion. What started out as a monologue written for a theatre audition has become one of the most captivating, intense, and haunting stories to come to life on screen. Brett Bower took his original monologue and expanded it into a one-act play, winning some college playwriting awards in 1997. In 1999, Bower began to expand the story in the hopes of directing it as a stage presentation, intentionally keeping the ending a mystery. VENOM was an instant success and became somewhat a “cult-classic phenomenon” with tons of die-hard fans dying to know the ending. However, Bower never felt comfortable presenting the story on stage and the script was re-shelved until 2002, when he decided the only way this story could ever be told correctly was on film. Two new characters were introduced to the two-man version of the play, some intricate plot developments were added, and a new screenplay version of the story took shape.

Brett Bower is a prolific actor, filmmaker and composer from Tulsa residing in Oklahoma City, with numerous credits in film, television, commercials, radio, voice-overs, and professional theatre. His latest film, VENOM, stars Lane Fields, Eric Wyatt, Jessica Johnson, and Tiffany McManus. Lane Fields (Damon) served as operations manager, was a resident company member of The Pollard (a professional theatre in Guthrie, OK) works in print production for Sony Corporation, won second place in Survivor: Oklahoma at the State Fairgrounds last fall, and has a BA in music from Oklahoma Christian University. Eric Wyatt (Phillip) an OU Medical School graduate, has been featured in several local commercials (Hudiburg, Taco Mayo, Mazzio’s) as well as a feature role in the film “Street Creatures” and an extra in NBC’s “Frasier.” Wyatt is from Tulsa and resides in Oklahoma City. Jessica Johnson (the Wife) lives in Tulsa and has an acting background in film, television, commercials, and stage. Johnson lived in Los Angeles and appeared in “April Fools,” “Going My Way,” and Mattel and other commercials. Currently devoted to ministry, Johnson has a BAS degree in communication/theatre from Arizona State University. VENOM is the first film role at the age of 4 for Tiffany McManus (the Daughter) from Miller Grove. “Tiffany was a delight to work with, and our film would not be the same without her,” said Bower.

“We are very proud to present Brett Bower’s VENOM as part of the Independent Film Maker Series,” said Shawnee Brittan. The secretive plot and depth of VENOM continues to intrigue all who have heard about this challenging story. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away,” said art director Monte Wilson. “Working with the cast and crew on this film was one of those moments for me. Now it’s your turn…Don’t miss it!”