For Immediate Release: Feb. 24, 2004
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Oklahoma Author Inks First Movie Deal

MOORE, OKLA. – Local author Steven E. Wedel has just signed a contract to see one of his fictional works brought to life on film. It is his first foray into the film industry.

Blackridge Entertainment, Inc. of London, Ontario, Canada, has purchased the film rights to Wedel’s short horror story “Reunion.” The story is about a zealous church congregation that works to reclaim the donated organs of a member who went astray. The film version will be one of three segments in a horror anthology movie.

“This is very exciting to me,” Wedel said. “I’ve always felt that ‘Reunion’ is one of my best short works, so I’m really looking forward to seeing it on the screen.”

The story is set in the fictional town of Windy Acres, Okla., a small community Wedel said is modeled on towns in the western part of his home state. He said that because of the setting he has been surprised at the interest in “Reunion.”

“I’m amazed by it,” he said. The characters are pure Okie, but the story was first published by an electronic British magazine, where it was voted best story of the year in 2000 and received praise from readers as far away as Australia. And now a Canadian film company is going to bring it to life. Who would have guessed a congregation of fundamentalist Oklahoma wheat farmers would have international appeal?”

Dean Henry, CEO of Blackridge Entertainment Inc., said, “‘Reunion’ is a superbly crafted tale and with its disturbing subject matter and downright shocking conclusion, it’s certain to excite and please all horror fans. In addition to being a great story, we’re confident that ‘Reunion’ can be told very effectively on a limited budget and its narrative and story elements lend themselves well to the trilogy.”

Henry said the film project is still in the development stage. “At this time, the screenplays are being written, budgets are being prepared, and preliminary production design is in the works,” he said.

Henry said “Reunion” is positioned as a segment within a low budget, feature length horror trilogy and is intended for distribution primarily through television and DVD rental. At this time, it is unknown if it will be aired on American television.

“The film is to be shot in Ontario and, tentatively, production is slated for late 2004 or early 2005,” Henry said. “At this stage there is no word on rating or casting.”

Wedel is a life-long Oklahoman who grew up in Enid and currently lives in Moore. He has worked for various newspapers and magazines across the state and has won awards for journalism and creative writing. His published books include “Call to the Hunt” (MoonHowler Press, 2001), “Darkscapes (Publish America, 2002), and “Shara” (3F Publications, 2003). Novellas “Murdered by Human Wolves” (Scrybe Press) and “Seven Days in Benevolence” (Double Dragon Publishing) are due out in 2004. Wedel has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma and is working on a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. For more information about Wedel, visit his Web site at www.stevenewedel.com.

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