My Hated Enemy - Student Short Film

My name is Eli Hutchinson, and I am a senior at Western Carolina University. As a Film and Television Production major, I will be directing my senior thesis short film, My Hated Enemy, in late October of this year, which I think will be a new and exciting experience for my team of classmates and for myself.

What is the Movie About?

My Hated Enemy will tell the story of two young soldiers on opposite sides of a near-future civil war who must confront their differences when a stubbornly neutral old local takes them both prisoner in the war-torn Appalachian wilderness.

I have wanted to explore the relationship between soldiers on opposite sides of conflict for a long time, and I feel now I am capable of doing it justice. My hope is to give a respectful meditation on the nature of conflict and how it shapes and is shaped by the way people see themselves, their friends, and their enemies.

Where Will the Money go?

The funds raised here will finance the film's budget. Expenditures will include costumes and props to create a believable on-screen war, specialty camera equipment, the gas needed to travel to sometimes isolated filming locations, and items such as rainboots, blankets, and hand warmers for the comfort and well-being of our cast and crew. In addition, any funds not used during production will be utilized to pay entry fees in film festivals so that the movie can be shown far and wide.

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The Team

Eli Hutchinson - Writer and Director

Eli Hutchinson is a senior at Western Carolina University, where he majors in Film and Television Production and minors in Political Science. He directed his first short film, "Villainous," last year, and is well-known for his Lego stop-motion series, "The Adventures of Captain Atom!" He is excited to take on the task of directing this ambitious live-action war movie and share a story he's passionate about.

Brennan Sawyer - Producer

Brennan Sawyer is on his 2nd year in WCU's Film and Television Program. Last year he worked on over a dozen short films in various capacities, including producing three different films. He chose to work on this project due to his admiration for Hutchinson's previous work.

Katrina Dell - Producer

Katrina Dell is a senior in the film and television production program at Western Carolina University and a producer for 'My Hated Enemy.' They have a passion for art and production within films and hope to continue that journey after they leave Western.

Drew Stader - Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Drew Stader has won many acclaimed awards such as best editing, second-best picture at the Asheville 48-Hour Film Festival, and best picture for his cinematography work at the Controlled Chaos Film Festival. For My Hated Enemy, Drew is aiming to create evocative framing and use natural lighting to accentuate the cruelty of war and the beauty of nature.