Written by: Alexis Dewey
Pure Flix, a Christian streaming service, recently welcomed a few Southern students on its set, according to Sophia Schwartzrock, a junior film production major.
Pure Flix is filming the second season of a series titled “County Rescue” in Cleveland, Tennessee, Schwartzrock said. The show takes place in an EMT unit that is in active use for Bradley County Emergency Services. During the day, the unit is the film’s set; at night, it returns to a working unit and is used for emergency calls. Shwarztrock said that the remodeling Pure Flix is doing will give the unit a new-looking interior by the end of the set.
“This is the story of an EMT unit [that goes] beyond the call to save lives while navigating their own life, love and faith,” according to Amazon Prime.
According to Southern alumna Michaela Hounslow, the assistant to the unit production manager, helped arrange the opportunity for Southern students to join the set. She also started a program where the students volunteering on set can receive internship hours.
“Real-world experience is absolutely invaluable, as is seeing how sets are run outside the Southern bubble,” Hounslow said.
The filming process will take six and a half weeks, and students are allowed to come throughout that period, according to Hounslow.
“Since I’m working with the person staffing the set, I was able to put in a good word for the students, and she gave me the go-ahead to set up the intern program,” Hounslow said. “We were able to organize half-day sign-ups that would fit their schedule a little better.”
Schwartzrock worked as one of the production assistants, along with some other Southern students. She helped decorate the set and ensure everything was in place for filming. She recalled that the production team paid close attention to small details. Schwartzrock said they are so detail-oriented, that they rearrange everything to make sure it is perfect, even down to the shelves and yoga mats.
Meeting new people and networking was one of the many highlights for Schwartzrock. “I brought a freshman student [Piper Jamison] with me, and so, it was kind of like showing her the ropes,” she said. “It was a new environment for the both of us, but her first time on set ever.”
“This is an absolutely incredible opportunity for students!” said Hounslow. “I’m so glad that the film students are having the chance to see more of the industry, learn from professionals and make some connections before they graduate.”“Great American Pure Flix is committed to bringing you quality movies and programs that celebrate Faith, Family, and country,” according to its website.
