UNTIL ARCTURUS is a documentary short about a woman who sees the world through the eyes of her alien family while learning how to live out her truth in the undeniable energy of Sedona, Arizona.

Interview with Director Abbey Reznicek

Main image: Sleepy, mystical town of Sedona, Arizona nestled in the red rock formations

Congratulations! Why are you making your film?

I am making UNTIL ARCTURUS because of my passion for mental health, minority beliefs and the struggles people face to connect. I hope the film has an impact on people’s lives as we dive into multiple aspects of mental health and the struggles everyday people face. I hope to inspire people with different beliefs to embrace their identity and do what makes them happy. I also would like to challenge people’s judgement and have the audience ask themselves, “How do I feel about her beliefs and how does that impact me?”

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Anita Owens’ award-winning UFO tours, ghost tours, vortex tours and psychic readings have earned her high respect in Sedona but not without generating harsh criticism from some, based on her unique beliefs. What draws people to this seemingly mystical, sleepy town? Some believe it’s the stunning red rock formations and the unusually calming atmosphere they create. Others believe it is something a little more: the vortexes. The film will allow you to live curiously in the moment and hopes to inspire you to continue to do so.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film has multiple themes including overcoming adversity, embracing curiosity and living the life that makes you happy. By diving into Anita’s daily life and beliefs, the audience will be challenged to open their minds to the unfamiliar.

Anita Owens shows a mother and daughter a glimpse of her alien family.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

There was no definite “shape” for the film when I started production. I knew two things: I want to inspire minority beliefs and I want to create a magical experience. This has remained the basis for the film. Although, as time goes on, it is exciting to see the shape the film is taking.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback for the film has been a rollercoaster. Many people support Anita, the crew and I fully as we try to let a minority belief take the spotlight and allow imaginations to run freely. Others have had issues with the film based on religious conflicts. Some have vocalized fears of the entities with which Anita claims to be talking, feeling they may be “demonic”.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

This feedback has not stopped me in trying to reach my goal for UNTIL ARCTURUS. However, I am aware that I need to address these fears within the film. By showing Anita Owens as a human and not just her beliefs, I believe the viewing experience can and will be exciting for the majority.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

By having my film on “We Are Moving Stories,” I hope to inspire more people with different beliefs to embrace their identity and do what makes them happy. As the movie poster says, “Replace judgment with curiosity.”

Anita Owens searches for apparitions in the famously haunted Jerome Grand Hotel.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

In order to amplify this film’s message, I am looking for sales agents, buyers and distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

UNTIL ARCTURUS will dive into multiple aspects of mental health and the struggles everyday people face. This film will act as a voice for everyone with beliefs that go against the mainstream. I hope to inspire people with different beliefs to embrace their identity and do what makes them happy. I also would like to challenge people’s judgement and have the audience ask themselves, “How do I feel about her beliefs and how does that impact me?”

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How does it feel when people view you as toeing the line between uniqueness and insanity? How do you maintain meaningful relationships when you feel constantly stunted by your own body?

Would you like to add anything else?

We are so excited and blessed to be able to work with Anita Owens and hope this film can be a voice for her community and others.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Currently, I am in the process of writing a short fiction film to be shot in 2018. I am also in charge of audio for HIPPIE KIDS (working title), director of photography and gaffer for an untitled documentary short about sexual assault and camera on an untitled documentary short about bipolar disorder.

Interview: November 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Until Arcturus

UNTIL ARCTURUS is a documentary short about a woman who sees the world through the eyes of her alien family while learning how to live out her truth in the undeniable energy of Sedona, Arizona.

Length: TBD

Director: Abbey Reznicek

Producer: Method M Films, Abbey Reznicek, Bryan Lushbough, Stacey Woelfel, Robert Greene

Writer: N/A

About the writer, director and producer:

Abbey Reznicek is a documentary filmmaker, post production intern for RAKE FILMS, intern for THE S WORD and a commercial photographer/videographer.

Bryan Lushbough is a graduate of the University of Missouri, working and living in Columbia as a Marketer and Graphic Designer.

Robert Greene is a documentary filmmaker, editor and writer. He is “filmmaker-in-chief” at the Murray Center for Documentary Journalism.

Stacey Woelfel is the director of the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism.

Method M Films is a production company affiliated with the University of Missouri documentary journalism program, based out of Columbia, Missouri.

Key cast: Anita Owens

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Looking for sales agents, buyers and distributors

Social media handles -

Facebook:

Until Arcturus

Instagram:

@untilarcturus

Other:

IndieGoGo - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/anita-owens-documentary-short/x/17467571#/

Made in association with:

The Murray Center for Documentary Filmmaking

Where will the film screen in the next month?

Expected release date: May 16th at The Missouri Theatre, Columbia, Missouri