Scenic shop assistants and students in a scenic technology class taught by Luther Jones, technical director for Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen, recently traveled to Vonore, Tenn., where the movie “Alone, Yet Not Alone” was being filmed and met with the film’s producer.
A period film, the movie includes events from the French and Indian War, and the filming during the students’ visit was at the Fort Loudon Historic Site, which Jones said he scouted for the film last year.
“Because of the shape and location of the fort at the historic site, it could be used as a location for three different forts from the French and Indian War,” said Jones.
Students spent time on the set with actors and film crew, talking to them about what they do. Students also spent time with the film’s producer, Ken Wales, who has more than 50 years of experience working in the industry and has won an Emmy. Wales used to be senior vice president of production for Disney. Wales credits include work with “Amazing Grace,” “The Prodigal,” “Cagney and Lacey,” “East of Eden,” “Revenge of the Pink Panther,” “Islands in the Stream,” “The Tamarind Seed” and “The Wild Rovers.”
“The first time I worked with him was as the co-art director on the TV series ‘Christy,’ which he produced,” said Jones.
The field experience was made possible with funding from the School of Stage and Screen and from a Quality Enhancement Plan development grant made available through the Office for Undergraduate Studies.
