Local filmmaker ready for a shot at Sundance
November 15, 2001

By VINCENT JACKSON Staff Writer, (609) 272-7202  

Spectators who watched writer/director Steven Pershing filming a movie in southern New Jersey during 1998 and 1999 need not wonder any longer about what happened to it.

The Egg Harbor Township filmmaker's 90-minute feature, "Steel Spirit," will be shown to its cast and crew and the media at a private screening 7 p.m. Friday at the Showboat Casino-Hotel. The screening is private because Pershing will be submitting his movie to the Sundance, Slamdance and Slamdunk film festivals, which are all held between Jan. 10 and 20 in Park City, Utah. Sundance's submission rules state that a film cannot be considered for acceptance there if it had been previously shown to the public, Pershing said.

"The public showing will be as soon as possible. It could be three months from now, early next year," said Pershing, 30, who added he will be moving next year to Hollywood. "What has always been a dream is slowly becoming a reality."

"Steel Spirit" was shot with a Hi-8 millimeter video camera. Pershing said his film is the first action adventure of its kind with all scenes shot on one $1,100 camera. The story concerns a character named Dallas McQuaid, who struggles to stay alive after a $5 million bounty is placed on his head.

Shooting started in January 1998 and continued on weekends through June 1999. Locations where the public could have watched filming included: the Atlantic City Boardwalk, where an action chase scene was filmed during two days in March 1999; and on the sales floor of the Sport Hyundai Dodge car dealership in Egg Harbor Township, where a scene involving McQuaid in disguise was shot in October 1998.

Those who cannot attend the private screening can find pictures, a preview, information and outtakes from the movie at Pershing's Web site

www.steelspirit.com.