Nerissa Miles, Staff writer

Do you love history? The Civil War? A good movie that doesn’t show senseless amounts of blood and guts? If so, then you should spend an evening with Kill the Messenger. 

Kill the Messenger is an independent film written by IUSB alumni Tim Richardson and Michael Kouroubetes. Richardson is a seasoned screenwriter, having written, directed and produced 24 films. He has also acted in a variety of main stage productions. Kouroubetes is also an accomplished screenwriter, having had three plays produced at IUSB. In addition, Richardson and Kouroubetes are both two-time winners of the Lester M. Wolfson award. 
Richardson and Kouroubetes were looking for a more challenging endeavor in Aug. 2002. It was decided that they would write a screenplay about the Civil War. Neither had previous interest in the Civil War, and they felt that it would be an “intriguing and exciting” endeavor. Their biggest challenge was making a war movie that was authentic but that could be produced on a modest budget. That’s where their combined writing skills proved most helpful. 

Kill the Messenger begins at the Battle of Buffington Island, a battle many have never heard anything about. The battle was fought as a result of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s Calvary invading southern Indiana and Ohio. Daniel and Drake, brothers and spies for the Confederate Army, played by Bryce Cone and Shayne Golden respectively, are sent on a mission to deliver a secret letter to a turncoat lieutenant named Hatcher, played by Sean MCormick. When Drake is injured, Daniel is forced to deliver the letter himself and enlists the help of a northern photographer named Benjamin, played by John Coffman. 

Others involved in the production of the film were Trisha Miller as Assistant Director, Professor John Finnegan played John Wilkes Booth, Kevin McInerney and Jim Pickens played supporting roles and ran sound. McInerney also did the historical research and Cinematographer Jeff Ackil came on board as Director of Photography. Composer Dean Rouch, who plays violin, piano, guitar, flute, percussion, and a variety of other instruments, was composer for the film. Dan Wort, Assistant Producer, and Jeff Ackil helped to land the movie with the distributor 1st American Media, whose offices are in L.A. and Chicago. 
The film was shot in five short months with a budget of less than one million dollars. Locations for shooting included Charlton Park Village in Hastings, MI, the Morris Civic Auditorium and others in Laporte, IN, and Niles, MI. I was surprised and impressed by the beautiful and realistic scenery in the movie. 

The IUSB Alumni Association will be sponsoring six showings, five for the public. The cost of admission is $5 at the door. It will be showing in Wiekamp Hall, room 1001 on the following days and times: 

Fri., May 30 at 7 p.m. 
Sat., May 31 at 7 p.m.  
Sun., June 1 at 2 p.m.  
Fri., June 6 at 7 p.m.  
Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m. 

 Copies of the movie will be available on VHS for purchase at these showings. Later this summer, it will be available on DVD. If you would like more information or are unable to attend a showing and wish to purchase the video, go to www.killthemessengerfilm.com.