Spring Break
Student hopes to direct, produce URI soap opera
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
2/1/08 - "General Hospital." "Days of our Lives." "All My Children." Soap opera aficionados at the University of Rhode Island may soon be able to add a homegrown daytime drama to this illustrious lineup. Entitled "The Art of Deception," the student-created show is tentatively scheduled to begin filming Feb. 19, and the first episode may air in mid April.
At present, freshman film media major Grant Michael Rutter, the mastermind behind the program, is largely alone in the creation of the work. Though still in the planning stages, Rutter intends the show to be filmed at URI and to be created entirely by students.
Rutter, who intends to serve as executive producer, director and head writer, has had some prior experience with producing a soap opera.
Rutter is not planning on appearing in the production and is seeking volunteer actors and production staff. While participating students will not be paid or receive credit toward any major, Rutter explains that that is not what the project is about.
"It's for fun, for experience and for resumes," Rutter said.
Students interested in being involved in the soap opera as either actors or production assistants have already contacted Rutter. He hopes that the prospects of the experience will attract even more students.
While Rutter has not yet completed the script, he promises the usual soap opera fare. Viewers can expect to see the requisite love triangle and skeletons in the closet, Rutter said.
"The story begins to unfold as one of the characters is transferred into the university and is put into a room with two other girls, and that's when jealousy, deception and trouble starts," said Rutter.
Rutter, who dreams of becoming a writer or director of daytime TV shows, is not concerned by the genre's sometimes negative reputation.
"I have an obsession with television and soap operas and I believe that they don't have the respect which they deserve," Rutter said.
At present, freshman film media major Grant Michael Rutter, the mastermind behind the program, is largely alone in the creation of the work. Though still in the planning stages, Rutter intends the show to be filmed at URI and to be created entirely by students.
Rutter, who intends to serve as executive producer, director and head writer, has had some prior experience with producing a soap opera.
Rutter is not planning on appearing in the production and is seeking volunteer actors and production staff. While participating students will not be paid or receive credit toward any major, Rutter explains that that is not what the project is about.
"It's for fun, for experience and for resumes," Rutter said.
Students interested in being involved in the soap opera as either actors or production assistants have already contacted Rutter. He hopes that the prospects of the experience will attract even more students.
While Rutter has not yet completed the script, he promises the usual soap opera fare. Viewers can expect to see the requisite love triangle and skeletons in the closet, Rutter said.
"The story begins to unfold as one of the characters is transferred into the university and is put into a room with two other girls, and that's when jealousy, deception and trouble starts," said Rutter.
Rutter, who dreams of becoming a writer or director of daytime TV shows, is not concerned by the genre's sometimes negative reputation.
"I have an obsession with television and soap operas and I believe that they don't have the respect which they deserve," Rutter said.
