Eye on the Prize: Local movie creates buzz

The RiverRun screening of Eyeborgs, a science-fiction film that was shot in Winston-Salem, was just part of a busy two days for filmmakers Richard Clabaugh and John S. Rushton.

This past weekend, they showed a sneak preview of the film to audiences at the Highlander Worldwide Conference, a fan convention in Los Angeles devoted to the Highlander TV and film series. Then, last night, RiverRun audiences saw a work-in-progress edition of the film at a sold-out screening at UNC School of the Arts' main theater.

And on Wednesday, the filmmakers will be in England, where the film will have its official world premiere at the London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film (www.sci-fi-london.com).

The Highlander conference was the first time a full audience had seen the movie. "They loved us, they really, really loved us," said Clabaugh, the director and co-writer of the film. "Adrian (Paul, the star of Eyeborgs) had warned us that they can be really critical."

Eyeborgs is set in Winston-Salem in the near future. The story revolves around an agent for the Department of Homeland Security played by Paul, who starred in the TV version of Highlander. He uncovers a conspiracy involving surveillance robots called "eyeborgs" that were developed to keep America safe but may have a more sinister purpose.

Clabaugh taught cinematography and visual effects at UNC School of the Arts from 1999 to 2008. He has worked on such films as The Prophecy, Phantoms, Python, and several films in the Children of the Corn series.

"I knew I wanted to do something in the sci-fi environment," Clabaugh said. "I wanted to do something that fit that mold but that said something about real life at the same time, about the effect that surveillance had on civil liberties."

The cast also includes Danny Trejo, Megan Blake, and many actors from Winston-Salem and other parts of North Carolina, both in speaking roles and as background extras. The movie includes familiar local sites including the Millennium Center and Corpening Plaza.

The idea for the movie first came about in 2005, and it was filmed in summer of 2007.

Rushton, who produced the film and co-stars in it, said that he was happy that audiences were responding well. "It's that amazing feeling of just trepidation, fear and nervousness," he said. "You've watched it grow, and then to have an audience that applauds at the end and loves it, it's a wonderful feeling."

He was particularly happy that a local audience was getting a chance to see the film. "I'm excited about the hometown thing," he said. "The audience will have people that were in the film or worked on the film…. You really want to please that crowd."

Andrew Rodgers, the executive director of RiverRun, said that the local connection was nice, but it wasn't why the festival had decided to include Eyeborgs.

"We've never been a festival that has focused on showcasing local films in particular," he said. "We've tried to distinguish ourselves by showing films from around the world. There are a lot of film festivals that show a big chunk from their local area. And if they're bad movies and a festival programs them just because they're local, I think that lowers the reputation of the festival."

But this year, he said, there were a number of notable films from local filmmakers, including Eyeborgs, With These Hands and Goodbye Solo.

"I think if (Eyeborgs) was not set in Winston-Salem, we would likely have still programmed this," Rodgers said.

Early on in the development of Eyeborgs, Clabaugh and Rushton met with the Sci-Fi Channel and discussed the film. "They were really enthusiastic about what we were doing," Rushton said.

Discussions continue with the channel, but, Clabaugh said, "Our first intention is to take it theatrical." And so they expanded the scope of the film beyond its initial version and shot it with a theatrical release in mind.

They declined to give the budget of the film, but said that it had been funded almost entirely by local investors.

Seven film studios saw a rough cut of the film last year, and all of them asked to see the final version when it was ready, Clabaugh said. After the London screening, the next step is the Cannes film festival in May, where the film will be screened for prospective buyers.

The story has potential for sequels, or even a weekly TV series, but the filmmakers said they are focused on the one movie for now.

■ Tim Clodfelter can be reached at 727-7371 or at tclodfelter@wsjournal.com.

There's more

• The RiverRun International Film Festival will end on Wednesday with a screening of John Ford's Speedy at 7 p.m. at the Stevens Center.

• Today's Best Bet is Saving Luna, a documentary about an orphaned killer whale, showing at 9 p.m. at UNCSA-Gold.

• Visit the Winston-Salem Journal's Web site, www.journalnow.com, for a podcast interview with Eyeborgs filmmakers Richard Clabaugh and John S. Rushton, a complete schedule, reviews of most of the films, more "Best Bets," a map of venues and more.

• For tickets and information, go to www.riverrunfilm.com.