Timberlake senior to release original film May 29
Courtesy photo Timberlake High School senior and valedictorian Taylor Riley peruses the script book as his actors prepare for a scene in Taylor’s new film, “Odd or Even,” which will premiere at the Hayden Discount Cinemas at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 29. From left: Kyle Kleyhauer as “the CEO,” Taylor and actor Boots Davis, leaning on the chair.
Taylor Riley, left, in gray cap, prepares some equipment as the "mercenaries" suit up for the next scene of "Odd or Even," an original film written and directed by Taylor. The film will premiere Tuesday, May 29 at 5 p.m. in the Hayden Discount Cinemas. Admission is $3. (Courtesy photo)
Each character's fate is in the palm of one man's hand in Timberlake High School senior Taylor Riley's new film, "Odd or Even."
Based on a made-up game Taylor and his brothers play, "Odd or Even" invites the characters to roll for choices that will then be decided once they declare "odd or even." If the die lands on what they call, the next sequence of the game will be in their favor.
If it doesn't, they must be prepared to face the consequences.
"They are leaving their fate to this die," Taylor said Tuesday afternoon, adding that once the characters roll the die, they get "sucked into the game like 'Jumanji.'"
"You can compare it to Jumanji in a way, but it's not, it's a different game," he said.
The movie trailer reveals that a lot is happening in this film — action, romance, a mysterious backstory, artifact-chasing and elements of "Donnie Darko" and "Lord of the Flies."
It's also a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, as noted by the rating: "Rated 'C' for 'cringey' — high school acting, romance, ‘loincloths.’ Feel free to squint your eyes at cringey moments."
"I think (audiences) are going to think it's super funny, but it's hard to tell," Riley said. "I know people who know the actors will think it is."
"Odd or Even" was shot at different locations in the Inland Northwest, including Spirit Lake and Coeur d'Alene, and the cast and crew consisted of about 50 locals. Taylor wrote the 50-page script in just a few days and proceeded to fill many roles, including director, editor and cameraman. He handled the film's soundtrack and audio, as well.
"It's a huge project, a massive project," he said.
Taylor was not required to undertake a capstone project for his film class, but he chose to do so because he wanted to include it in his resume before he goes to Brigham Young University this fall.
“I’ve never had a student that was so dedicated and enthusiastic about completing a giant video project,” said Chris Jarstad, who has been Taylor’s film teacher for the past four years. “Taylor has spent countless hours on this film. It will be amazing to see his hard work and creativity on the big screen.”
Taylor also wanted to inspire future film students and leave his mark on his school, where he is a graduating valedictorian.
"I was like, 'I need to do something big, leave a legacy for the film program,'" he said. “I’m super excited because it's going to be a big door-opener for me and I hope a lot of other people."
After more than two months of filming and nonstop editing, Taylor is ready for "Odd or Even" to hit the silver screen. The film premieres Tuesday, May 29 at 5 p.m. at the Hayden Discount Cinemas. Admission is $3.
"It's been a lot of fun, for sure," Taylor said.
Watch the trailer for "Odd or Even" at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFsAuqBnsfY.