Laura Lucas

Auditions for extras in a World War II movie will be held in The Union at 8 p.m. on Sept. 10.

“The tryouts are for extras and some main roles we need to fill,” said Luke Schuetzle, a senior history major and producer of the film.

The auditions are mainly for men between the ages of 18 and 25. Former SDSU student Kellin Johnson is directing the movie and “will use the film for film school,” said Schuetzle.

“Basically, it is a focus on a couple of Medal of Honor stories. It is about the personal battles people have and surviving a war. We are trying to bring stories of what that generation did, what people’s grandfathers did,” said Schuetzle.

Schuetzle produced the film with the money he made over the summer. He has an online business selling WWII products. Most of the things he sells come from a firm he works with, and a lot of it is authentic.

“Half of the things in the film will be authentic stuff. The other half is reproduction stuff,” said Schuetzle. There will even be a German half-track for the film.

Apostolos Gliarmis, a sophomore communication studies and theater major who plays Lt. Seamus Gage, said, “The film is not going to make war look pretty. We are going for the realistic look and feel.”

The film, tentatively titled Hill 178, will be a short film. This means it will only be about 45 minutes long. According to Gliarmis, the film takes place in Europe a couple of days after D-Day.

“It is about taking over Hill 178. These men have been fighting for a long time, and all the hills have become the same,” said Gliarmis.

Hill 178 is scheduled for release in the spring. “Hopefully in time for the film festival on campus,” said Schuetzle.

Filming will be Sept. 13 through 14 and Sept. 20 through 21 at Oakwood State Park. Transportation will be provided, and most of the crew will camp out at the park.

Anyone interested in being in the film who cannot attend the audition should contact Schuetzle by e-mail at [email protected].

People can also show up at The Union on Sept. 13 or 20 at 8 a.m. when the transportation arrives.

“It should be a fun time,” said Schuetzle.