Matthew and Nikki Glover might be the only people in Plant City to have gallows in their backyard. Yes, gallows. Complete with a swinging rope noose.
It’s not illegal for the couple to have the gallows. They made sure to check before they started construction on the haunting device they are using as a movie set — and not actual executions.
The aspiring filmmakers are entering Project Greenlight, a contest produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to find the next great filmmaker. The winners will receive a shot to create their own feature film with the help of industry veterans.
The Glovers’ three-minute short film, “Under The Gallows,” revolves around their home-built set.
“We want to be different,” Matthew said. “Most people try to do drama to tug at heartstrings, or comedy to make people laugh. … We are going for shock value.”
The plot is definitely shocking. During the Civil War era, a young boy is hired to help in the execution of a deserting Union soldier.
“We want to be the one that stands out,” Nikki said.
The story came about during a collaboration between the Glovers and Matthew’s sister, April Schmitz. Fans of Jim Henson, they thought about building a puppet in one idea. But, it couldn’t be done in the short timeframe. Then, Matthew remembered learning about hangings from his sister, who had been reading a book on the topic.
He morbidly suggested they hang someone for the film. The idea stuck.
David Sloan, playing the Union soldier, was just as excited about the hanging. An adrenaline junkie, Sloan was prepared to try anything. But, not everyone could stomach the stunt. The actor slated to play the young boy decided he wouldn’t be able to handle the execution, even a fake one. So, Austin Simone stepped in.
Many of the Glovers’ local friends and family are helping with the production. Brother-in-law Erik Schmitz built the gallows and is working at the stunt coordinator. Friends Terry Smith and Judy Aregano provided the antebellum North costumes, and Smith also plays another soldier. Bethany May, with Bethany May Photography, shot on-set photography during the shoot.
“We just pulled our resources together,” Nikki said.
The Glovers seem to spin gold out of straw with their film projects. Matthew’s passion has been film since he was a teenager. He changed his career focus from Christian ministry to film, merging the two by working as a videographer for a church in Alabama. Later, he studied film at Southeastern University.
“I like the story-telling,” Glover said. “I always say I like creating worlds. I’m letting Plant City see my head from the inside.”
Before he graduated in 2013, he finished his senior project, “The Moon Child,” about a little girl with cancer. It was done just in time for his mother to see if before she died from brain cancer.
Now, he’s working on a script for a full-length feature film about a man searching for a cure for cancer in cannabis oil to save his mother.
“Our sights are set on L.A.,” he said. “This is an opportunity for something better.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW TO VOTE
To vote for “Under The Gallows” to win Project Greenlight, check on the contest’s website, ProjectGreenlight.com, after the films have been uploaded.
LIVING THE DREAM
To help the Glovers with their dreams of becoming filmmakers, visit their Kickstarter page, kickstarter.com/projects/2078911770/under-the-gallows.