Over a year ago, Southern Lehigh graduate Riley Geis wowed the community with his debut feature film, “Perfect Circles.” The movie was praised for its razor sharp dialogue, beautiful cinematography, and exceptional acting. Now, he’s at it again.
“Whenever I tell someone who’s seen ‘Perfect Circles’ that I’m making another feature, their first, and only, question is ‘How many people die in this one?’” Geis said. “So, I definitely have not lost my affinity for blood.”
In “Cult of Persuasion,” longtime friends and college freshmen Sean and Harry (played by David Corbin and Nick McDonald, respectfully) decide to rush one of the country’s most powerful and influential fraternities. But after one hazing stunt turns ugly, the loyalty of their friendship is tested when Sean sets out on a cat-and-mouse course of revenge that goes further and becomes more deadly than either of them thought possible.
“[There were] outrageous differences between [‘Perfect Circles’] and [‘The Cult of Persuasion’], chiefly among them is being a smaller fish in a bigger pond,” Geis said. “In Southern Lehigh, I was ‘the kid who made movies.’ In a film school in California, everybody is the kid who makes movies, so I have to find a way to stand out.”
And what better way to make his mark than to make a mark on the history of his school, Chapman University?
“That’s why we’re doing a feature,” Geis said. “Because no freshman has done a full-length movie.”
Making the film has been no easy task, however, as Geis and his collaborators have encountered the many challenges of real filmmaking.
“[Back home] it was easier because all I would have to do is call up Kyle Brown and Nick Masciantonio, say ‘Hey, meet me here and know these lines.’ We would meet up, shoot it, and go home,” Geis said. “[‘The Cult of Persuasion’] is a little trickier than that. In addition to making the film, David and I have to manage production, correlate schedules, draw up contracts, and keep all the producers, marketers, copyright lawyers and whatnot in the loop. On top of all that is the actual making of the movie.”
Although the project promises to be very difficult, Geis welcomes the challenge like an old friend arriving on his doorstep.
“It’s tougher, but the challenge is only making me adapt quicker,” he said, “and learn how to effectively organize the swirling poop-storm of getting a movie to happen.”
Production on the movie is nearing completion. Geis plans to edit the film over the summer, and release it on his campus in the fall, and distribute DVDs when he gets the chance to come back to Southern Lehigh.
As for what to expect?
“Watch the thing and find out!” Geis said. “It’s a fun thriller with a tight story told on a much bigger scale with infinitely superior resources and some excellent actors. Not Brad Zamojski caliber, but then again, what is?”
