Independent film to start filming in Havre

By trade, Jorge Olivo, 29, is an airline pilot for Cape Air, but he has recently started putting together a project, "The Last Departure" - an independent film that is scheduled to be released in June.

Members of Montana Actors' Theatre in Havre were cast to portray the characters in Olivo's film.

Olivo, the director of "The Last Departure," began working for Cape Air in September and moved to Havre in November.

Olivo said filmmaking has always been a passion for him.

"About a year and a half ago, I started my own production company called CampusFilms Studios," he said.

Olivo said "The Last Departure" is his first film and that 90 percent of the film will be shot at the Havre Airport. When he first moved to Havre, Olivo came up with the idea for "The Last Departure."

"My film is a story about a ramp agent at an isolated airport," he said. "Pretty much by the end of the story she's closing up the isolated airport and the only way to get in and out of this airport is through the airplane, but she doesn't take it because she has to close up shop - and then weird things start happening to her."

Olivo said his film falls under the horror/suspense genre.

"It's kind of a mix between 'The Shining' and 'Silent Hill,'" he said.

Olivo said he contacted a couple of agencies and got a hold of Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency, and they told him about MAT.

"They're all MAT actors," he added.

Olivo said that filming will begin April 6.

"We're hoping for a premiere in June. We're probably going to do the first premier here in Havre somewhere," he said.

Olivo added that once completed, the film will be aired on his website, http://www.campusfilmstudios.com.

Jay Pyette, artistic director of MAT and actor in Olivo's film, said Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency arranged for an audition to be held for "The Last Departure" and MAT hosted the audition.

"We have many great opportunities here for actors to get involved, but we don't have that many film opportunities, and it's a different style of acting. It's interesting for them to be able to learn," he said. "Also, we like to help people."

Donald Mayer, an actor in the film, said he has been involved with MAT since the year 2000.

"I personally think it's really cool to be part of the small projects," he said. "(Jorge) is very to the point. ... He definitely has things in order."

Kelli Reynolds, the lead actress of the film, said she is very excited to participate in Olivo's film.

"I think it's going to be really fun and it'll bring something new to the community," she said. "We've got a script and we're currently having contracts written up. It's been really fun and interesting - Jorge has taken a very professional standpoint. It's really nice to be part of a project that he's taking so seriously."

For more information on Olivo and "The Last Departure," visit http://www.campusfilmstudios.com.