The collaboration of ambitious Oregon students and a Hollywood cameraman in 1929 has driven University alumnus and Hollywood screenwriter Bryce Zabel to pursue a life-long goal of filming a movie on campus.
Eighty years ago, University students Nelson Carvel and James Raley dreamed of creating the very first full-length student film. These highly motivated students took their chances when they contacted top Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille for camera equipment and technological support. To their surprise, DeMille willingly sent his cameraman and state-of-the-art 35-mm camera to Eugene for filming. The film “Ed’s Co-Ed” premiered in Eugene’s newly opened McDonald Theatre in November 1929.
This historic event has motivated Zabel to film “Let’s Do It,” a movie inspired by the story of the first student film. The film is not a re-make of “Ed’s Co-Ed” but a comedy of the behind-the-scenes work of the first student film. “All we know is in 1924 they got a camera and they made the first student film,” Zabel said. “Beyond that, not many details are given, so we are giving our comedic interpretation.”
“Let’s Do It” is a re-enactment of the events that took place in the making of “Ed’s Co-Ed.” In Zabel’s new film, cameraman James F. McBride is a cynical Hollywood veteran sent to Eugene while an incident back home is resolved. Among the students, he re-discovers his original love of filmmaking. During this time, the students find their lives reflected in the making of their own romantic comedy.
Zabel has aimed to showcase the University in a movie shot on campus throughout his career. “Many people think that the first full-length student film was filmed at USC or UCLA, somewhere near Hollywood,” Zabel said. “However, that isn’t the case; the first student film was actually filmed at Oregon.”
Zabel started the first draft of “Let’s Do It” in late 2007 along with his wife Jackie Zabel. Recently, the University reached an agreement with Talking Ed Productions to start filming next year. Zabel plans to film a large portion of the film on campus while classes are in session. Many of the locations featured in “Ed’s Co-Ed” still exist today. He intends to use the exteriors of the buildings that have been left untouched since 1929 in his film.
“It would be great for students to see a film being made on their campus about a film made on campus,” Zabel said. “This is a way to show the success of Oregon students, and we want students to help participate in the making of this film.” Zabel described a scene in his film where students are seen waiting in line in front of McArthur Court to audition for “Ed’s Co-Ed.” In the scene, potential cast members are being charged 50 cents to audition and the money raised went toward the film’s production. Zabel said this is one of several scenes in which he wants University students to be extras.
University senior and electronic media major Dara Jester is excited to see the finished product of Zabel’s efforts. “As an electronic media major here at the University, I think it’s great that a UO alum is making a film here on campus,” she said. “It inspires the rest of us doing (electronic media) that there is hope for us out there in the real world. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this film.”
The production team for “Let’s Do It” includes many University ties, such as co-executive producer Duncan McDonald, former dean of the School of Journalism and Communication. McDonald serves as the local connection for on-site production issues and management of all work in Eugene. In addition, he also continues to be involved in script review, scheduling and casting. McDonald recalls discussing details with Zabel of “Let’s Do It” about two years ago.
McDonald is confident that Zabel’s historically inspired movie will be admired by the Oregon community. “It’s fitting that this very funny and romantic film will celebrate such a historic achievement by our students,” McDonald said. “What a great walk through the past, on what was then such a tight-knit campus. You’ll love the music, too.”
Junior Kaitlin Kratz, also an electronic media major, has recently returned from a film internship in South Africa and thinks “Let’s Do It” will spark interest in the University.
“I think any film that takes place at the University will interest students, especially one that highlights college life,” Kratz said. “It’s a nice claim to fame to be able to watch a movie about college and be able to say you went there.”
For McDonald, “Let’s Do It” recalls the success of former University students. “This reminds me that we should never forget history,” he said. “We should always remember and learn from great ideas and successful projects.”
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