For the first time at OCCC, theater students will team up with film and video students to make a short film.

Film and Video Program Director Greg Mellott said the production — titled “Going Down” — is part of an Oklahoma Film Institute summer seminar held until July 16 at the college.

The film will be staged in an elevator car which will be constructed for the film, Mellott said.

Ruth Charnay, Communication and the Arts department director, said she is glad students from both programs have the opportunity to participate together in the clinic.

“It just made sense to put the acting and film students together,” Charnay said.

She said the students will work with Mellott, who is the Emmy award-winning writer and director of the documentary “Dream No Little Dream.”

The students also will work with Gray Frederickson, the Oscar-winning producer of the “Godfather” trilogy along with many other feature films, Charnay said.

Sean Lynch also will work with students. Lynch is the producer and co-writer of the feature film “Unsolved,” Charnay said.

Theater major Elizabeth Chappell said she is excited to participate in the clinic and has already auditioned for a part in the short film.

“I have enjoyed the experience tremendously so far,” Chappell said.

Even if she does not receive a part in the film, she said, she will be able to help out around the set and observe the process.

Once Chappell completes the seminar, she said, she will receive three credit hours toward her degree.

Leonard Jackson, theater major, said he also is thrilled to be involved.

“I think it’s great and it will build my résumé,” Jackson said.

Mellott said all students will receive a finished copy of the short film.

The college will retain rights to the film, but the students will be able to use it for whatever they choose, he said.

For more information, contact Mellot at 405-682-1611, ext. 7793, or e-mail gmellot@occc.edu.

To contact Amber Hodge, email onlineeditor@occc.edu.