He Could Only Imagine This Opportunity
An ORU media student got the chance of a lifetime recently when he was able to work as a production assistant on the feature film “I Can Only Imagine”. Ethan Norvell, a cinema-television-digital media major, spent his Christmas break rubbing shoulders with actors Dennis Quaid and Cloris Leachman who are starring in the film.
The film is based on the popular Christian song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me lead singer Bart Millard and is based on his life. The faith-based film is directed by Jon and Andrew Erwin who also produced “Woodlawn,” “Moms’ Night Out” and “October Baby”.
Ethan learned about the project from a professor who first told him about a commercial shoot near Tulsa. While at the commercial shoot in September, he got to know the assistant director of the commercial, Jason, and developed a good relationship with him. In December when the same professor told him about another opportunity to work on a feature film in Oklahoma City, he jumped at the chance. To Ethan’s surprise and delight, Jason was also working this film.
Ethan ended up working on the film as a production assistant intern for three days, then he was hired to work three more days, doing things like setting up chairs and tents, making sure the crew was cared for, taking actors on and off set, and coordinating guests.
“It was an incredible experience in part because this is a large production,” Ethan said. “It’s very difficult for students to get on productions like this as it takes knowing the right people and having a certain skillset to function well in a feature film environment.”
While working on the film was fun, he also learned something about Oklahoma and its film industry. He learned that the industry has grown over the last several years and many of the people working on the film are from Oklahoma. He also learned there is consistent work in the film industry in Oklahoma right now meaning he doesn’t necessarily have to move to Los Angeles or New York City to get some beneficial experience.
“My time on set was very valuable to me; I was able to learn so much from the crew about their jobs and the industry and most importantly, I saw what professionalism looks like on a film set,” Ethan said. “The media students at ORU are producing 11 short films this semester, and I want to freely give what I have learned on "I Can Only Imagine" to help our productions. I am extremely grateful to Professor Barreiro, Marc Harper, and Jason for helping me to get involved in this film.”
