MANSFIELD — An independent feature film filmed locally and starring local actors will make its local premiere this weekend at the Mansfield Playhouse.
“Madelline,” a feature film written and directed by Mansfield area filmmaker Eric Sparks, will have its premiere screenings at the Mansfield Playhouse on Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.
The film tells the story of a young woman, Madelline, trying to deal with the daily struggles of depression and social anxiety. She wakes up every day feeling lonely and detached, but visits to her counselor, and occasional meet-ups with friends only seem to make her feel more isolated.
“When people are struggling with that, they feel alone and isolated and they want to be around other people, but when they are around other people they feel anxious and they want to be alone again. You’re never quite comfortable,” Sparks explained. “I tried to illustrate that, and give the audience the feel of what it’s like to experience that.”
Bringing “Madelline” to life on screen is Haley Noel Bedocs, a Crestview native and graduate of The Ohio State University at Mansfield. Bedocs has spent the last decade acting on stage, and “Madelline” is her first feature film.
“I always knew I wanted to act ever since I was a little girl, so doing things like this is me living out my dream a little bit, which is exciting,” Bedocs said.
Sparks first met Bedocs in a class exploring how to act for film as opposed to theatre. It turns out, the two mediums are extremely different.
“On stage you have to be bigger than life to get your message across to the audience; with film the camera picks up everything, so it’s much more subtle,” Bedocs explained. “There were times where there’s a camera inches from my face, and you have to pretend it’s not there and still be subtle. You just have to think it and it shows on your face.”
Sparks was so impressed with Bedocs throughout the class, he ended up writing the “Madelline” script with Bedocs in mind.
“I was really impressed with her, and I wanted to do a film for her but I didn’t have any scripts that would work for her, so I wrote it for her,” Sparks said.
Bedocs was able to relate to the character of “Madelline” due to her own struggles with mental illness.
“In my life I’ve dealt with depression, so I was able to pull from my real life and use some of that to get into that head space,” she said. “I think if you’ve never experienced anything like that, it’s hard to understand where that comes from and what it’s like to struggle with that.”
Madelline’s story is told not only through the normal physical world, but also through the ethereal world of dreams where she feels completely herself, and a third stark world that represents her mental and emotional states. The film is deliberately slow-paced, offering a peering look into the psyche of Madelline herself.
Other local actors in the film starring alongside Bedocs include Hayden Eighinger, Steven Russell, Beau Roberts, Victoria O’Brien, Lindsey Saltz, and Samantha Beal. In addition, the music is by Mansfield area musician Rob Hemmick.
“Madelline” was shot throughout downtown Mansfield in a total of 11 days spanning from Oct. 21, 2017, and wrapping on Jan. 21. Sparks has been editing nonstop since January, and looks forward to the official premiere of the film this week.
“I’m excited and terrified,” he said with a laugh. “I haven’t had a film premiere since my very first film I finished in 2004, and I’ve never done a feature film, so yeah it’s nerve-wracking.”
Both Sparks and Bedocs hopes the film helps those struggling with anxiety and depression feel a sense that they’re not alone. They also hope those not struggling with mental illness leave with a better understanding of someone else’s experience.
“There aren’t always reasons why somebody is depressed – depression can come as a result of genetics or chemical imbalances, so many different things,” Sparks said.
“It can defy logic; you can have a great life and still feel this way,” Bedocs added.
“In the end I want people to be able to get the experience of it, and see what it’s like regardless of their own personal experience, and be able to identify with people who do struggle with it,” Sparks said.
Tickets are on sale now at the Mansfield Playhouse box office at 419-522-2883 or online at www.mansfieldplayhouse.com.
