Meet Wyatt Gutridge

Wyatt plays Max, son of Katie and Mark Watson and brother of Claire. Max is struggling with Claire’s strange behavior and wants it to stop! I met Wyatt while participating in Director, Mike Gutridge’s arthouse film “Shadows” (release date projected for mid-2020). Unlike his character (Max), Wyatt is very supportive and loving to his sister Claire who has autism. (Claire Gutridge was my inspiration for the character Claire.) Wyatt’s exposure to the industry through father Mike and his natural instincts have prepared him well for his first acting role. I’m confident viewers will find his portrayal of Max very endearing.

Wyatt has Tourette’s Syndrome. After casting him in the role of Max, his parents, Wyatt, and I discussed the possibility of his symptoms manifesting during filming. We decided, should that be the case, I would write it into his character. However, despite the natural pressure involved in filming, Wyatt breezed through the scenes, so there was no need to alter the script.

Tell me a little about yourself

I grew up with the best parents in the world. They are very supportive of everything my siblings and I do. I come from a family of creativity, passion, and non-stopping greatness.

How did you get involved with the film?

My dad directed a movie with Trish called “SHADOWS.” She was inspired to write her own movie. And the first person that came to her mind to play the role of Max was me.

How did you prepare for your role in the film?

I read my lines, practiced how to say them, and followed what the grown-ups said.

What is your favorite scene from the film? Why?

Every scene I’m in because I can see how I did it. It’s great feedback on what I need to work on.

What parts of your character/role could you most relate to personally?

Max has a sister with Autism, and I have a sister with Autism.

What skills improved during your participation in the film?

My personality. How I pursue my character.

Click the following link to purchase your tickets to see Wyatt In Your Afterglow, February 23, 2020.

https://appellcenter.org/show/capfilm-in-your-afterglow

Meet Caroline Kearns

In this article, rather than doing an interview with Caroline, I wanted to share my experience with her.

Caroline is the daughter of my good friend Perri Druen (also in the film). Over the course of the last two years, while hanging out with Perri I came to know Caroline. There was something about her that made me think she would be a great candidate for the role of Claire. Although I’ve read it’s not such a good thing to write a role for a particular person, I found myself seeing her in each scene. I couldn’t help it. When I asked Caroline if she wanted to act in a movie, she shyly said yes. I explained to her it was a big commitment and once she was “in” it would be really important to stick with it. Perri and I had several conversations about it and Caroline was steadfast – she was indeed IN.

Without a doubt Caroline took on the most difficult role in the film in her portrayal of a high functioning autistic adolescent. With coaching from her mom – a York College of PA psychology professor and direction from Mike Gutridge, Director of In Your Afterglow and parent to an autistic daughter Caroline blossomed in her first acting role. She was patient and poised on set, she engaged respectfully with her co-actors and was truly a joy to work with. We had some very difficult scenes with lots of food preparation. This required some improv and several takes to get it right. Caroline quickly caught on.

I have a few favorite scenes from the film and several include Caroline. When I saw the first batch of footage of her “talking with the spirits” I got goosebumps.

What’s next for Caroline? After the dust settled from the long days on set, I asked Caroline if she wanted to do it again. I have another role in mind for my next screenplay called “The Feeding Hand.” Again she shyly responded, yes. In the meantime she will finish the 8th grade at York Suburban, York, PA and continue to hone her volleyball skills.

Click the following link to purchase your tickets to see Caroline In Your Afterglow, February 23, 2020.

https://appellcenter.org/show/capfilm-in-your-afterglow