Trailer for “Deadline,” shot partially in Bellevue, premieres at film showcase Friday
Published 3:31 pm Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Production stills by Becka Brebner.
A short film partially shot downtown and at Bellevue College will premiere its trailer (linked here) in Bellingham and Lynnwood Friday.
The 75-second preview for “Deadline” — a thriller written, directed and produced by independent filmmaker and former Bellevue College student Doug Stapleton — will be shown as part of the Washington State Studio Network’s Fall Showcase.
The film follows what happens to a young professional when she’s stuck alone in her office building, working late on a project.
“I conceived the idea several years ago when I was working for Expedia,” Stapleton said. “I was in the office late, alone like in the movie, and my car was parked deep in the garage. Deep enough I would have to drive up several ramps before reaching ground level. And getting down there, by myself and in the dark, I could hear everything. I could hear the water in the pipes, the HVAC system running … it was creepy and it got me thinking.”
After fleshing out the concept, Stapleton created a Facebook page and IndieGoGo fundraiser in early summer last year. The project caught some early buzz, and generated more as it went into the casting and production stage, he said.
The bulk of the film was shot in the Tacoma Financial Center over three days. However, Stapleton ran into a problem when he scouted for his exterior shots.
“I couldn’t find the right angle for shooting the building,” he said.
Unsure what to do, he was driving by downtown Bellevue when he noticed the skyline was perfect for what he needed.
During post-production, he was able to collect additional interior shots at Bellevue College’s television studio, where he had taken production courses from 2002 to 2007.
Though Stapleton and his production company, Photo Finish Films, have produced numerous projects — including music videos, training and marketing videos, and concert and sport videography — “Deadline” was their second fictional narrative. Previous project “Take 38” won the Director’s Choice Award at the 2012 Gig Harbor Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2013 Seattle True Independent Film Festival in May.
“Deadline’s” final cut was completed in fall, and a private screening was held for cast, crew and donors in October. The film will not be made publicly available, pending its consideration for the Seattle International Film Festival. If it is accepted, it will be shown at SIFF in summer 2014.
Stapleton is currently working on the script to an unannounced feature film.
