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   The History of Lazer Film Productions

  

If you were to visit West Chester University in Pennsylvania and happened to stop by room 324 Goshen Hall, you would find it an unsuspecting place. A small room approximately 12'x12' surrounded by stale cinder block walls. The room faces north and the only direct light it receives is at the end of the day, moments before the sun descends below the horizon.

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Let us now take a step back in years, to a simpler time, when 324 Goshen Hall was a shimmer of light, a cultural and spiritual center for all that stepped foot into it.

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Many would come from across campus, hearing rumors of a dance of light, not knowing what they would find. There they discovered a multicolored beam of light projected onto a star filled ceiling. The laser had a hypnotic affect, and seemed capable expressing the emotion of the music which accompanied it.

                                                

You are probably asking yourself what the hell does a  laser have to do with the creation of Lazer Film Productions.

Experimentation with movie making was an enjoyable hobby throughout the college years. We never took what we were doing too seriously, though we did aim to create images that would entertain and above all, make people laugh. With each project came greater challenges. We strived to make each one better than the last.

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The majority of our early shorts were created on the spur of the moment, making the most of what was available to us. The plot lines are thin, but the performances are highly animated and the camera and editing work very avant-garde. Music was central to our work, helping lift the low production value to something greater.

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Early, works such as "Moonfreak: Creature from Hell" and "Marooned in our Room" are far from masterpieces, but contain some of the most memorable scenes in the Lazer Film Production spectrum. These early projects provided excellent grounds for learning the basics of filmmaking.

After the completion of "Into Thin Air" we decided to create a name to associate with our projects. Originally named Lazer 324 Productions we eventually decided to drop the 324 and exchange the Z for an S. In 1999 we went official with Lazer Film Productions, adopting the Z once again.

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With the establishment of WCU4-TV (The Official Television Station for West Chester University), LFP was able to expand its audience to the entire campus and surrounding community.  The cult was growing.  A good percentage of WCU4 late-night programming was dedicated to LFP--perfect viewing for those stumbling home from a long night of partying.

Derek Frey and Megan Webb Fera promote WCUR

Our grander projects required a little more planning than the previous works. Although the majority of stories were outlined, it was not until "Verge of Darkness" that we actually worked off of a completed script.

"Verge of Darkness" was shot in and around the West Chester University campus from January through April 1995. The highlight of the project was a 13 hour shoot in the tunnels that run beneath the university's quad area. "Verge of Darkness" premiered to a packed Schmucker Auditorium on May 9, 1995.

 

The reaction to "Verge of Darkness" was overwhelming and marked a turning point in Lazer Film Productions. No longer were these movies viewed as merely fun and games. The talent was evident and the road was clearly paved to Hollywood.

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Upon graduation in May 1995, just days after the premiere of "Verge of Darkness", Derek departed for Los Angeles, to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. The Lazer dimmed but only for a short time. On a visit to Pennsylvania in the summer of 1996 the madness was rekindled with the on the fly production of "Born on the Fifth of July". This was an energizing project because it proved that the magic was still present. Hailed as a comeback after a year of silence, "Born on the Fifth of July" had all the elements of a classic Lazer Film Production.

Since its relocation to California, LFP has grown into an innovative independent film production company, dedicated to producing highly entertaining projects.   From a trilogy of paranormal investigations, to a heartwarming story of a mute sailor, LFP continues to prove that its remarkable storytelling is incomparable. The year 2000 marked the launching of Lazerfilm.com.  Through the LFP official website people around the world have been introduced to the films.   The year 2000 also marked Lazer Film's entry into a number of Film Festivals around the country.

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Lazer Film Productions has continued to grow and create new entertainment, while at the same time never forgetting its roots. LFP is not so much a company name as it is an entire universe of characters and creations all interwoven and connected in their own mythology. KEGAN WEBB AARON TANKENSON