CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Matthew Millard, pictured, plays the title character in the Alottabit Studios film “According to Scott.” The studio, which is based in Marshalltown, started test shoots on Saturday.

By SUSANNA MEYER

TIMES-REPUBLICAN

Excitement permeated the air as actors and production crew alike prepared to shoot a scene for the new Alottabit Studios film “According to Scott” on Saturday evening. Props and equipment were laid around the set, and everyone was eager to hear the magic word: “Action!”

Alottabit Studios is based in Marshalltown and owned by David Seuss, who is also serving as the director of “According to Scott.” He said the film is a comedy, focusing on the namesake protagonist as he and several other characters come together in a therapy setting. None of them really get along at first, but eventually, they grow on each other.

“(The characters) come to this place, and then after a time, they realize ‘I actually need this person.’ So they start changing and start working together,” Seuss said.

With that premise in mind, Seuss said Saturday was mostly a test run. Trying out different camera angles and lighting and getting a feel for the set are all important steps in preparing for the bulk of the shoot in the summer.

The development process started in the summer of 2021, but Seuss said there were some setbacks that delayed the production.

“We actually had to cast for parts. So that took most of the time to get that together, and we’re still casting. We’re still trying to get more background extras,” Seuss said. “So, now we’re back (to filming).”

Doris Kinnick is in charge of casting for the film, and while she had no prior experience in that field, she was up to the challenge.

“It’s a very unique experience, and it’s a lot of fun. There’s actually a lot of challenges that I’ve never dealt with before, and I like challenges,” Kinnick said.

The actors were equally enthusiastic about their roles in the film. Matthew Millard — a college student at Iowa State University — is playing Scott.

“I think that the concept is really unique, and just being involved with the film production is exciting,” he said.

Millard sent in an audition video in response to a casting call, and he was ecstatic to get the part. He came in with extensive acting experience, and his most recent role was in the Ames Community Theater’s production of “The Full Monty.”

Another one of the actors, Chloe Cornwell, is playing a role Seuss dubbed ‘the pepper spray girl’ because her character’s main purpose is to pepper spray Scott. Cornwell has a history with acting, mostly in theater.

“Usually for theater, it’s one take for the showtime, and if you do mess up at all you just have to play it off. But, for a film, you can take as many chances as you need until you finally get it right and get it the way you want it, or the director wants it. So, it’s a little easier in that regard,” she said.

Aside from being excited about getting to pepper spray the main character, Cornwell can’t wait to see the finished product.

Bai Ling, a Chinese-American actress well known for her role as Miss East in “Wild, Wild West” and Megan Reneau, a Canadian actress, are also in the cast, Seuss said, and they will be attending shoots in the summer.

“This is something that people that are in acting or filming can put on a resume and say — kind of like a demo reel — and say, ‘Look what I did’. So, it pulls the community together, it gets people out using their stuff and learning how to get better,” Seuss said.

While “According to Scott” is a long way from wrapping production, Seuss and his team hope to have it available on Netflix and other streaming services when it is complete.

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Contact Susanna Meyer at

641-753-6611 or

smeyer@timesrepublican.com.