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Film Contest Worked On By Point Park Students Coming To TV

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- This past winter, actors and crew at Point Park University worked on films backed by Hollywood producer Chris Moore.

Known for his classic, "Good Will Hunting," he learned about Point Park while shooting "Promised Land."

"When I spoke a few times at the colleges," he says, "Point Park really stood out because it has a real hands-on program. You actually learn how to make stuff. You actually touch the camera."

Two different directors would guide different actors in different films, while using the same script. Podcaster/director Shane Dawson named his version of the movie "Not Cool."

"I have been on this whole YouTube grind for eight years now," he says. "And it's every day. Literally, making a new video every day. Making podcasts. I'm ready to do a movie."

Anna Martemucci, an actress and writer from New York, dubbed her version "Hollidaysburg."

"I feel like I've bitten off a lot in terms of making a movie, and also being filmed making a movie," she says.

As the two different films were being directed from the same script by two different directors, a third crew was taping the entire project for a 10-part documentary series on the Starz network. It's called "The Chair," as in "director's chair."

The Point Park documentary begins on Starz TV Saturday night. The two films will be released September 19. Producer Moore says movie patrons will then vote for their favorite.

"One is more over the top, broad comedy. That's Shane's movie. And Anna's a little more introspective and personal. Still very funny, but it's a little more grounded in reality. Once they made that choice, the movies became very different movies," said Moore.

Both movies will air on Starz, but the director who gets the most votes also gets $250,000.

Moore joined the KDKA Morning News to talk about "The Chair" and told KDKA's John Shumway he has had a positive experience working in Pittsburgh.

"I had an unbelievable experience [in Pittsburgh].There is so much that [the town] has to offer," says Moore.

He adds he wanted the two directors to have as much freedom as possible and Pittsburgh's scenery gives them the ability to pick if they want to shoot the film in a city setting or a country setting.

Chris Moore Part 1

Moore said that the movies the two first time directors are making are "that first Thanksgiving when you go away to college and you come back home." He adds "It's a coming of age moment."

"The Chair" is also co-produced by actor and Pittsburgh native Zachary Quinto.

Chris Moore Part 2

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