Eyes Open – Romantic Drama Feature Film

Meet Aurelia Eulenburg, Associate Producer

admin — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:45:50 +0000

“This project is a unique opportunity for me to work on a project that is so incredibly close to life. I find it really interesting to switch between this perspective and the process of turning it into a story for the screen. I’m excited to work with a team which has its roots in Kansas, everyone is so grounded and supportive, being a country girl myself I knew they would be a great fit for me.“

Aurelia is a writer and director from Germany. She studied Education, English, Drama & the Arts at the University of Cambridge, UK, before discovering movie-making as the ultimate discipline and moving to Los Angeles to study Film Production. She is in her second semester at USC and is currently producing a Chinese martial arts short and directing a short film about childlike wonder.

Meet Abby Davis, Graphic Designer

admin — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 03:12:11 +0000

“I am so appreciative and excited to be working on Eyes Open. The trials and tribulations the characters go through are genuinely and deeply relatable for me, and I think viewers will find something that relates to them too. It is a true privilege to be a part of this journey.”

Abby Davis is a graphic designer from the tiny town of Winchester, KS, now based in Lawrence and Topeka, KS. Juggling a mix of jobs, Abby is currently a Web Design Intern at Advisors Excel, a Public Relations and Digital Marketing Strategist for Washburn University’s WIFI Film Festival, and most recently, she joined the Eyes Open team as its Graphic Designer. She will graduate from Washburn University in May 2024 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media, with a concentration in public relations and creative advertising.

Meet Darria Dennison, Associate Producer

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:17:47 +0000

“For the longest time, I heard these stories from Matt and Tara about their time growing up, their relationship, and how they each ended up where they are today. To be able to see all of these different moments and stories come together in this script, many of which have helped me on my own journey in life, has been incredibly profound, and I couldn’t think of a better tale to be told on the big screen. It means so much to me to be able to contribute to this project however I can.”

Darria Dennison is a director and actor based in the Topeka, Kansas area. She has worked on multiple award-winning films and projects in a myriad of different roles. Last year at WiF, her film ‘The Words I Would Speak, received the Allan Holman Award for Special Achievement in Editing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and in Mass Media with a concentration in Film and Video from Washburn University. Darria currently works at KSNT News where she s a Director and Video Editor, and a member of the sports team. Every week, she directs the 30-minute sports show, K-Nation, which covers news from KU and K-State Athletics Programs.

Meet Logan Bodenhamer, Associate Producer & VFX Consultant

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:17:34 +0000

“I was immediately captivated by this story as soon as I read it. The genuineness of the characters combined with the excellent storytelling had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and knowing how personal this story is makes it truly special. I am honored to be a part of this project and can’t wait to see it come to life.”

Logan Bodenhamer is a filmmaker from Lindsborg, Kansas. He loves to learn and is constantly working on projects that push the boundaries of his current skillset. Logan’s journey into digital art began with a game design workshop in the fifth grade, which eventually led him to discover filmmaking during a media arts course in high school. There, he started combining his game design skills with film to create hybrid shorts that blend live-action and animation, three of which won awards at the eMagine media festival and the WiFi film festival.

Initially pursuing game design at Wichita State University, Logan had the opportunity to work as an Assistant Editor on the set of the feature film “Sod and Stubble” during the summer of 2023. This experience was transformational and inspired him to shift his career towards filmmaking. During his final year at WSU, he immersed himself in various film projects, rekindling his interest in VFX and discovering a new passion for cinematography. Graduating in May 2024, Logan is now a freelance VFX artist and Cinematographer, and he is currently directing “Edge of Oblivion”, a sci-fi short film that utilizes virtual production techniques. Logan is excited to continue exploring new areas in filmmaking, particularly in writing and directing.

Meet Peter Blum, Associate Producer

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:17:19 +0000

“This project is such a unique and real take on love at first sight. Life never works out quite the way you think it will, but this story proves that you should never stop hoping. I believe in this story from start to finish. You won’t want to miss this deeply personal and emotional story.”

Peter Sandquist, Filmmaker by trade, Thespian by night. Whether it’s filming a documentary about the North Star Steakhouse or capturing people’s stories through his videography business, Peter loves collaborating with others in the arts, and Eyes Open is no exception. He has had commercials aired on KSNT, volunteered over 700 hours at Topeka Civic Theatre in a year, and has received an award from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for documentary filmmaking. Peter is on cloud nine to be working on such a heartfelt production, and can’t wait for you to see it!

Meet Jess Seidel, Associate Producer & Story Consultant

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:16:58 +0000

“I fell in love with this story the second it was pitched. It felt like such an authentic representation of love, loss, and finding your way back home. It’s extremely rare to read a script that is so honest and vulnerable, and I am honored to be a part of bringing it to life.”

Jess Seidel is screenwriter, having written and co-written several short films including Until It’s Gone, Until Death, and For the Sins of Midnight. She is currently the writer and director for the 2024 short film, The Getaway, which is being produced in Advanced Film Production at Washburn University. She currently works as the Content Director for the WIFI Film Festival in Topeka, Kansas. She will graduate from Washburn University in May 2024 with her Bachelor of Art degree in Mass Media, with a concentration in Film and Video. She will be attending the University of Southern California next year to pursue an MFA in Writing for Screen and Television.

Meet Adin Replogle, Associate Producer & Location Scout

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:16:45 +0000

“Eyes Open is a truly unique project, blending a deeply personal coming-of-age narrative akin to Greta Gerwig’s ‘Ladybird’ with an added focus on music and a distinct visual style. It’s truly amazing.”

Adin Replogle is an award-winning filmmaker from Lindsborg, Kansas, recognized for his writing, directing, and producing achievements. Adin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He is further honing his craft through a Master of Fine Arts program in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Meet Christian Watkins, Producer

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:16:31 +0000

“I have a passion for telling stories that surprise, inspire, challenge, and evoke deep emotions. This story does it all.”

Christian Watkins is a filmmaker from Kansas. She has a background in religious studies, international politics, and U.S. Educational Policy. Currently, she serves as an ordained minister and Executive Director of Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) at Kansas State University. She loves to be a part of communities who care about the world and strive to make a positive impact. Christian is also finishing her dissertation on political violence in local elections. She has been an Associate Producer for “The Pulpit” (@thepulpitfilm_), a suspense thriller that tells the story of a rural pastor who receives death threats for the message of inclusion she preaches. Christian became connected with this film through the WIFI Film Festival at Washburn—where she spoke about “The Pulpit” in 2023 and later, “Film and Religion” in 2024. She values creativity more than her sleep and cannot wait to join such a dynamic team! Christian is excited to bring her love of jumpstarting independent film projects through crowdfunding and strategic fundraising to the project.

Meet Kaylee Hayes, Producer

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:16:16 +0000

“I’m so excited to work on an incredible project like Eyes Open because it tells the story of such a rare and beautiful romance that has the power to touch people’s hearts in so many ways. As the producer, I want to help ensure that this story resonates with audiences, leaving a lasting impacton their lives and how they view love. The complexities of this story moved me deeply and I’m so grateful that I get to have a hand in sharing it with the world.”

Kaylee Hayes’ storytelling journey starts in Arlington, Texas at the mere age of seven. Armed with nothing but a camcorder and a single actor (a reluctant younger brother), she embarked on her cinematic adventures. As she grew older, her passions intensified. Kaylee received her bachelor’s degree in Film-TV-Digital Media Studies at Texas Christian University where she penned countless scripts and short stories, and became an award winning writer and director. After receiving her masters in Film and TV Production from the University of Southern California in May 2025, she is determined to make her mark on the film industry as an established writer and director.

Meet Sebastian Twardosz, Executive Producer

admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:15:44 +0000

“There are some things that were meant to be. Some movies which you have to see. I wanted to be a part of a movie like that. I wanted to work with people making a movie about living a life that was meant to be.”

Sebastian brings 25 years of experience in film and TV to Eyes Open and is the founding partner of Savant Artists which advises and represents emerging filmmakers and content creators. Clients have produced films that premiered at all of the major film festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Telluride, and Toronto, which were released by most of the leading distributors theatrically and in all media. He is also the host of The Insiders which is a web series about the business of Hollywood.

Sebastian started in the business as an agent’s assistant in the motion picture department at ICM. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1993. His short film, Silent Rain, received a Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as the Student Emmy. He taught at USC School of Cinematic Arts for ten years.

Sebastian’s first production job was from 1995-1999 for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s Paramount-based company where he started as an assistant and was promoted to executive, actively participating in the making of Mission: Impossible I-II and Without Limits. Sebastian was the head of development for a Paramount-based production company called Craftsman Films, founded by Kerry McCluggage, which developed numerous studio projects, including the initial development for the feature film reinvention of the Star Trek franchise.

For three years, he worked in comedy and drama development at Touchstone Television, the tv production division of the Walt Disney Company and ABC, where he staffed on six produced pilots. He also worked on numerous pilots and on-air tv series for Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment.