Movie to debut at North Scott

By Tracy Dunn / NORTH SCOTT PRESS / November 20, 2002

While many teen-agers spend their weekends watching movies, two North Scott students have spent much of their free time in recent months in front of the camera. Now, the public will have a chance to see the acting abilities of Ben Dau and Ian Klink. The premiere of "Prism" will be this Friday, Nov. 22, at North Scott's Fine Arts Auditorium.

"Prism," which features Klink and Dau in a cast of just seven, was produced by Bluebox Limited, an independent film company owned by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Beck and Woods are seniors at Bettendorf High School who have been involved in film making for about two years. The pair met in the sixth grade and began creating stop-motion videos. They have written, produced, directed and acted in dozens of films, including "Yearbook," shot in 2001, which discourages drinking and driving and has won several awards.

Klink became acquainted with Beck and Woods when the three worked on the crew of "Iowa Boys," another independent film. Woods called Klink when he was looking to cast "Prism." Dau says he knew Beck before being cast in the film.

"Prism" revolves around a lonely young man, William, whose wife was recently murdered. Searching for clues, the man seeks help from his friend, Steven, played by Dau.

"Steven is a pastor who had been friends with William," says Dau. "He's not sure he wants to help William, because he had basically stolen from the church, but he ends up helping him in the end."

Klink plays Mr. Marshall, "the boss with a bad side," explains the actor. Marshall is William's superior and winds up with a pivotal role in the story.

For Dau and Klink, the experience of acting in a film has been a positive one. They spent about four days on weekends to complete the 45-minute movie, shooting all the scenes on location. Part of the movie was shot at Klink's church, St. John United Methodist Church in Davenport, where his father serves as pastor.

"I enjoyed it," says Dau, "I'd definitely do it again."

"It was a blast for me," adds Klink. "For someone who's watched movies his whole life, to actually be in one, well, there are no words. It was amazing."

Both young men hope to pursue careers in the arts. Klink, a senior, plans to study film arts. His goal is to be a director. At North Scott, he is involved in Lancer Productions, choir, band, speech and North Scott News. He is the son of Margaret and Charles Klink of Bettendorf.

Dau, the son of Mike and Pam Dau of Eldridge, is a junior. He is in Lancer Productions and choir, and dances with the North Scott Silver Shakers. He hopes to pursue a career in acting and dancing, and possibly arts management.

Friday evening, a second film by Bluebox Limited, "Remembering November," also will be debuted. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome, and popcorn will be available.