From stage to big screen

Theater major Christie Osterhus starred in a satirical Christian film over summer

One of the most important lessons students can learn in college is that if they want to achieve their goals, they must be the ones who seek out opportunities for themselves.

Liberty student Christie Osterhus has done just that.

Over the summer, Osterhus starred in the movie “Shooting the Prodigal.”

A senior theater performance major who also has an interest in film and keeps current with local casting agents, Osterhus noticed a casting post on Richmond-based casting director, Anne Chapman’s website.

Soon after, Osterhus submitted audition materials online. After an in-person callback, she was cast for the film.

According to the film’s website, shootingtheprodigal.com, the film is set in Homer, Alabama and centers around Brother Bob Cross, a pastor who tries to fill his father’s shoes, but with little success.

As a result, the church is slowly dying.

In one last effort to evangelize, Brother Bob decides to make a movie despite a lack of funding. One of the congregation’s members, Aunt Judith, agrees to fund the film if her nephew, Josh Blume, a New York Film School student who is lacking inspiration for his final thesis film, agrees to direct.

However, Blume brings in a unique cast of characters who challenge Brother Bob’s deeply-held prejudices including a gay costume designer and an African-American cameraman.

In the midst of all this chaos, Blume begins to fall for Cross’ daughter, Emily, portrayed by Osterhus, who is sick of all the hypocrisy in the church and “wants nothing more (than) to get out of the Podunk.”

“What’s really cool is seeing the pastor’s transformation and how he goes from trying to please everyone on the outside, but then realizes when it really comes down to it, it’s about loving people,” Osterhus said. “It doesn’t really matter how the world perceives you as long as you’re loving and serving other people.”

Osterhus believes this film will break down the barriers of traditional Christian filmmaking because it tells a story through comedy rather than strictly regurgitating the Gospel.

“This film has a really great message about loving people and breaking down the walls of judgment and discrimination,”Osterhus said. “ … showing that we should all just love each other.”

Osterhus hopes the film will have an impact on the way future Christian films are made.

Through her participation in the film, Osterhus learned a few lessons.

“With theater, you do what you’re told, (but) in film you have a voice,” Osterhus said. “When it comes down to it, you have to take responsibility for your art because at the end of the day, it’s your face up there (on the screen) and not anyone else’s.”

After graduation, Osterhus hopes to find an agent and continue acting, whether it’s on the screen or stage.

“Part of me will always want to switch back and forth because it sharpens you as an actor to be able to do both,” Osterhus said. “It’s a different style, but it stretches and challenges you, so it’s important. Shakespeare is something I will continue to do because it conditions you as an actor. If you can do Shakespeare, you can do anything.”

For more information on “Shooting the Prodigal,” visit the website at: www.shootingtheprodigal.com.

Maurer is a feature reporter.