"Man's showbiz dreams riding on independent  film"

June 10th, 1999

By BRIDGET MURPHY

ATLANTIC CITY PRESS - Staff Writer, 272-7257

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP -- Steven Pershing has two heroes -- movie directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Pershing can see every scene in "Star Wars" if he closes his eyes. He'll tell you that Spielberg was his age when he made his first big hit, "Jaws." And now, like his heroes, Pershing has made his own full-length movie.

The movie is titled "Steel Spirit" and is the story of Dallas McQuaid, a bounty hunter who captures 46 of America's 100 Most Wanted Criminals before a $5 million bounty is put on his head and he becomes the prey. Pershing, who plays McQuaid, bills the movie as the first of its genre to be shot with a Hi-8 millimeter video camera, which can be found at most electronic stores.

"Let's just say it's like building a baseball diamond in a cornfield," Pershing says. "If you make it, they will watch."

The young filmmaker is betting his future on this movie. He quit his job in the Atlantic City Race Course's television department four years ago. The township native then moved back to his parents' home and raided his savings account to pursue his dream of writing, shooting and starring in an action-adventure movie. After devoting every spare moment to the project and working part-time at the Showboat Casino Hotel to make ends meet, Pershing has almost reached his goal. He's had lots of help from his friends and family. Pershing's friends play a number of lead roles in the movie and also doubled as crew members. Other actors were cast after a local acting school put out the word. But everyone worked for free, and many say they took on the project because they believe Pershing is headed for super stardom.

"I have no doubt he'll make it in Hollywood. All it will take is for someone to look the right way," said Brian Papakie, who is Pershing's best friend and also plays that role in the movie.

Lee Lecouter, another actor in the movie, is among those who have a lot of faith in Pershing's talent and was willing to work for free. "You can see it in his eyes when he explains things," Lecouter said. "I know this guy is going to succeed." On the set, Pershing is completely focused. The camera becomes an extension of his arms like an old dance partner he's spun and dipped for years. He began his love affair with the camera when he was a child.

Pershing's older brother, Robert, said that when other neighborhood kids were walking around with baseball bats and footballs, Steven would walk around with his video camera. "When my father bought a video camera that was like the toy of the year for him," Robert said. "When the family got out the camera to film things at Thanksgiving and Christmas, Steve's head would pop into the camera's view every 30 seconds. It was like a moth attracted to the light."

Pershing's mother, Jane, said Steven has been a movie fan all his life, but he was just as interested in the filming techniques as the stories. She's very proud of his work on "Steel Spirit," but said it hasn't been easy to watch her son's frustration during the long process of putting the movie together. "He has to work around people's schedules. He has no budget. But he has a vision and he's on a mission," she said.

The movie will also feature an original soundtrack by Galloway Township resident John Murphy. Dexter Weeks, who has a small part in the movie, designed a movie poster. On the set, Pershing also had the talents -- both acting and technical -- of plumber Stephen Pagano and electrician Matt Lonzi.

Many scenes in "Steel Spirit" were filmed in and around Atlantic City, which will make the movie of special interest to local residents, Pershing said. Filming locations include the Galloway Township Police Department, the Atlantic City Race Course, and a township car dealership. Scenes also were filmed in Utah, Virginia and North Carolina. Pershing said writing, directing and producing "Steel Spirit" has been a rewarding but monumental undertaking.

"It took strength and courage," he said, "which is what the movie is about."

After Pershing finishes editing the movie in July, he'll enter it in competitions for independent films. Then, he says, he'll bid farewell to Egg Harbor Township and head for the hills of Hollywood, with the hometown fans cheering him on.

For pictures, a preview and information on Steel Spirit, check out Pershing's Web site at:

www.steelspirit.com.