BU Students Seek Community Support For Walpole-Based Thesis Film

A group of Boston University film students seek support from the Walpole community for a film featuring several of the city’s residents. Shot almost entirely on Walpole’s Conifer Drive, Postal is the thesis project for senior undergraduate Director Anneliese Scheck and is notable for its largely female production ensemble. Core crew members include 2nd Assistant Director and Walpole native Ali Ajemian, Producer Sarah Schmidgall, Cinematographer Fuxin Zhang, and Production Designer/Editor Emma Platek.

Postal is the tender and slightly wacky story of a lonely mailman Owen (Ernest Anemone) who falls in love with an agoraphobe (Natalie Hebert) by investigating her mail, all while forming an unlikely “bromance” with Pete (Ben Bocko), a bored trophy husband in the neighborhood.

“It’s a comedy, but it’s also about the value of connecting with people in unlikely places,” explains Scheck. “I wanted to explore what allows a person to emerge from his or her shell and pursue true happiness.”

The film also seeks to thwart traditional gender roles in a fresh and light-hearted way. “Pete asserts his masculinity when hanging with Owen, but as soon as his wife comes home, he softens into this doting, loving husband. I think moving even beyond the gender component, the film just goes to show you can’t take everything--or everyone--at face value: We all are complicated and have layers.”

Scheck and crew are asking for funding that can be gifted via the film’s Kickstarter page. Donations will be used to pay off the bills for equipment rentals, transportation, and production design elements. A percentage of funds will be used to enter the film in several independent festivals in the upcoming year, including the Rhode Island Film Festival and Slamdance. Approximately $2,035 has been graciously donated so far with the current goal set at $3500. There are 4 days left in the campaign, and, as per Kickstarter’s system, the crew will not see any of the donations if they do not meet their goal.

“I want [Postal] to entertain people and make them laugh,” says Scheck. “But I also want people coming away realizing that we can and should lean on each other for support. That’s the heart of what this project is all about.”

Donations can be made by visiting the film’s Kickstarter page. More information can be found on IMDB or www.facebook.com/Postal2015. Inquiries can be sent to Producer Sarah Schmidgall at postalfilm2015@gmail.com.