‘One Week’ filmmakers share their experiences with Elon students

Emily Golden and KeiSaundra Henderson / Reporter and Managing Editor

Director Carl Seaton and actor/producer Kenny Young were at Elon on Tuesday evening for a viewing of the movie “One Week,” a movie the two men co-wrote, produced and directed. Young also plays the lead in this movie, which takes an unconventional look at the issue of HIV/AIDS and its effect on blacks.

The film, as its title suggests, follows its main character, Varon Thomas, through the events of what would otherwise be a typical week, if not for a few major exceptions. Varon is getting married five days from time the film opens, and finds out that he may be HIV positive. Seaton and Young, in making this film, wanted to tackle a major issue facing the world today, African American men in particular. “We wanted to touch on a taboo subject,” Seaton said during a brief question-and-answer period immediately following the screening. However, they faced many obstacles. While they were originally promised a significantly large amount of money, the men filmed this movie with a mere $35,000 budget; the 92-page-script was shot over the course of only seventeen days. In addition, the subject matter itself presented a hurdle for the writers. They had originally written this script as a comedy because, as Young put it, they were “afraid to handle [the issue of HIV/AIDS] seriously.”

The situation in which the characters, Thomas specifically, dealt with is very much a “what-if” situation; that is, they are forced to deal with the often pressing and grave questions and concerned that many times go unfounded.

Both Seaton and Young graduated from Columbia College in Chicago where they were also a part of the same fraternity. The two later figured out they work well together and should pursue other ventures as a team. “Surround yourself with like-minded people,” said Seaton. Utilizing resources, they both agree, is the number one piece of advice for film students.

The two men began their careers as ghostwriters, getting paid to write scripts for others. Both Seaton and Young have new projects underway.

Contact Emily Golden and KeiSaundra Henderson at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.

Laura Hals / Assistant Photo Editor

Hollywood filmmakers, Kenny Young and Carl Seaton discuss their trials and tribulations of writing, directing, producing and acting in their first film “One Week.” Their visit to campus included speaking to a film class, lunch with faculty, staff and students and the screening and discussion.