ABERDEEN, S.D. — In response to the cancellation of the 2025 South Dakota Film, Northern State University faculty, staff and community members have organized the inaugural South Dakota Film Project, a new initiative designed to maintain regional filmmaker networking and provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
The project will produce "3AM at the Painted Door," a 20- to 30-minute paranormal short film adapted from Tiyi Schippers' 1992 experience at The Roadhouse Saloon. The production is now seeking 12 volunteer actors from the Aberdeen community and Northern campus.
"The cancellation of the state festival was disappointing for our regional filmmaking community," said Jason Knowles, assistant professor of art/digital media at Northern. "The South Dakota Film Project not only continues the momentum of that original festival, but also replaces the Four-Points Film Project that was sunset this spring, giving our students valuable hands-on experience with a larger-scale Hollywood-style production."
The story follows a young disabled woman and her male companion who stop at the saloon to view its rumored wall mural, only to encounter odd behavior from bar regulars and an uncanny experience that threatens to make them permanent residents.
Casting Call — 12 Roles Available:
Speaking Roles (6):
- Taylor (mid-20s to early 30s): Young blonde woman who walks with a cane, highly perceptive
- Bill (mid-20s to early 40s): Handsome, dark-haired, warm and friendly
- Sister (mid-20s female): Taylor's teasing younger sibling
- Cousin (mid-20s female): Taylor's mischievous relative
- Female Bartender (late 20s to mid-30s): No-nonsense day shift manager
- Jukebox Drunk (young male, 21-23): Skinny with discolored teeth, persistent
Non-Speaking Roles (6):
- Night Bartender (23-25): Young, muscular, friendly
- Two men at pool table (20-50)
- Three women at horseshoe bar (20-40)
Filming will take place Nov. 6-11 in and around Aberdeen, including two days/evenings in Mellette, S.D. The production schedule will accommodate volunteer availability as much as possible.
A rough cut will premiere at a mini-festival in Aberdeen in December (date to be announced), with the final edit submitted to various film festivals for competition. Students will collaborate with local and regional volunteer filmmakers to serve as crew, with the project paying homage to the original "Spooked" podcast that inspired the adaptation.
The production also seeks local businesses and vendors willing to donate food for on-set craft services.
Auditions for both the South Dakota Film Project and the Spook-Spectacular Radio Show will be held together during the week of Oct. 6-8 with a possible second audition window Oct. 14-16. Audition times are by appointment. All experience levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned performers. There is no cost to participate beyond providing transportation to and from production locations.
For more information, to schedule an audition or to inquire about craft services donations, contact Jason Knowles at 605-626-7763 or jason.knowles@northern.edu.
To hear the original podcast that inspired the screenplay, visit https://spookedpodcast.org/episode-2-lost-in-time.