Karin Sabin
Staff Writer
Even though alumnus Brett Davidson left Texas to try acting in California, he returned to Texas, at least fictionally, for his first major movie.
Davidson recently wrapped his first major role in an independent movie, titled “Schattenkind” (German for “shadow kids”). Davidson, who graduated in May 2004, stars as the male lead, along with female lead Megan Hallin, and supporting actors Joe Hendrix and Drake Johnston. “Schattenkind,” a horror/suspense movie, was directed by Jesse Eisenhardt and produced by Jeff Prugh and Holly Leigh. Davidson has acted in some small films previously, but this is his first lead role in a movie.
The plot chronicles three recent college graduates on a road trip to Los Angeles to start their new lives. While passing through Texas, the trio stops at a deserted cabin in an old German settlement called New Braunfels. During the night, a child appears and keeps repeating the same German sentence over and over. The three grads finally figure out the translation to be, “She’s coming. She’s going to kill you.”
Trapped in the cabin because of horrific weather, the three graduates fight about their situation until a strange woman dressed in 1800s garb enters the plot. The friends come to find out the woman is a ghost. The rest of this thriller is fast-paced and has a surprising and terrifying conclusion.
Davidson got involved in the movie because a friend involved in the movie thought he would be perfect for the role.
“I have never worked with a group of people so pulled together,” Davidson said. “It was by far the best experience I’ve had on set. Everyone worked together and had a common interest in mind and that was to do their best.”
The bulk of the movie was filmed at Culver Studio. Davidson said he enjoyed working with director Jesse Eisenhardt.
“Besides acting, I have some interest in directing, and during the days I didn’t have to be on set, I still came to sit around with the director,” Davidson said. “I just never wanted to leave the set.”
Though an enjoyable experience overall, Davidson said the filming was not without its problems.
“On the first day of shooting, we are out in Lancaster doing exterior shots,” Davidson recalled. “The weather in the script calls for a peaceful, warm spring breeze in Texas. Let me just say that it was none of these. The wind was blowing so strong it blew over some light boards. The temperature was about mid-50s and all we were wearing were short-sleeve t-shirts.
“Needless to say, all I wanted to do was just craft myself into a bungalow in the South Pacific.”
Davidson studied theatre and television at Pepperdine.
“I loved my time at Pepperdine,” Davidson said. “There are times that I wish I was still in college because I had an amazing time.”
Besides enjoying the college lifestyle, Davidson said he feels his time at Pepperdine prepared him well for the outside world.
“I learned some of life’s lessons about professionalism, which really help me in marketing myself,” said Davidson. “In the entertainment field, it’s all about dealing with people and knowing how to sell yourself.”
Part of Davidson’s education at Pepperdine was with production professor Susan Salas, “One thing jumps out about Brett, and that’s his positive attitude that he brings into every situation,” Salas said. “Brett has a generous spirit and there’s a sense of humility about him. He’s not just a student to me. I’m proud to call him a friend. And what a great ambassador for Pepperdine he is.”
As a Pepperdine student, Salas recalls that he participated in a great amount of teamwork, listening, cooperating and leading.
“He’s a natural leader,” she said. “I think he will develop directing talents as well. Acting or directing he will be extremely successful. It’ll be a toss-up between the two, but either way, he gives a hundred and 10 percent in every endeavor.”
For anyone interested in the movie business, Davidson said the entertainment business is nothing like the regular business world.
“If you’re interested in it, I say go for it,” he said. “ Everything will come down to endurance. You will have to really want it to get anywhere.” For acting specifically, Davidson advises that aspiring actors enroll in acting classes, marketing workshops, and audition for acting jobs.
“The industry is tough, very tough and it takes an equal balance of talent and business smarts to succeed,” Davidson said. “I say anything is possible so give it all you’ve got and don’t let up until you have what it is you truly want.”
“Schattenkind” will be released in Los Angeles this summer.
11-18-2004
