BY ERINN DESHINSKY OF THE PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
MARCH 31, 2008
They may not be nationally known yet, but don't tell that to the crowd of about 130 people who gathered at Apollo Theatre cheering on two local Metamora High School graduates who premiered their movie there Sunday evening.
Red carpet treatment was given to the young movie crew at the screening of "Into the Woods," an independent thriller by Bradley University student Levi Obery, 21, and 23-year-old David Zimmerman III, a student at Columbia College in Chicago.
It was not a big budget production - costing $5,000 and made over the summer around their hometown. Their friends and siblings served as cast and crew. A local band offered up some songs for the soundtrack, and Obery's mother served as the caterer during the filming.
But the premiere for the 55-minute film, which was the pair's fourth feature together, was as high-energy as a Hollywood showing - cameras flashing, smartly-dressed young couples entering the theatre to the cheers of a crowd.
And once the movie started, the screams from the audience were the same as would be heard during a big-budget film such as "Halloween," one of Obery's influences.
Nerves were high as Zimmerman and Obery rushed around the theater, setting up for the big show.
Zimmerman said the two have done premieres before, but never at a big theater such as the Apollo. But, like their movies, Zimmerman said everything has progressed over the years.
"We've all grown and gotten better at what we do," Zimmerman said, adding soon he hopes to be showing films in Los Angeles.
Those who had inside information about the movie - the filmmakers only showed it to a couple people before the premiere - were impressed with how it turned out.
"This is good," said 13-year-old Jordan Zimmerman, David Zimmerman's younger brother, who was a line producer. "I definitely think he'll make it big."
Proud family members and friends dressed in their best, whether it be a suit or tuxedo, gathered in a misty rain a half hour before the showing.
"I find it amazing. He comes from a family of farmers, and he'll be in L.A. making movies," said Donna Williams, Obery's aunt whose daughter is also in the film. "He's very ambitious."
Added Obery's grandmother Carol Williams, "He's always been very creative. I'm impressed."
At about 6:30 p.m., the Apollo doors opened and a group of smartly-dressed young actors, producers, musicians and friends took their brief walk in the limelight before disappearing into the theatre.
Included in the posse were members of Last N Line - Cory Blankenship, Cody Zevnik and Kyle James - who provided songs for the film and were soaking in the fame at their first, and hopefully not last, premiere.
"Once we heard about the red carpet, we thought it was pretty intense," said Blankenship, who said the movie was "incredible."
"Hearing our music, we jumped out of our seats."
Many audience members laughed as they explained their connection to the young stars - a family doctor, an old teacher or co-workers of the Metamora grads. But they all said the same thing - these two were going somewhere.
"I'm really proud of him," said Jennifer Dama, a friend of Obery. "He's someone to look out for."
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