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Published May 16, 2014

By: Ashley Lyons

It鈥檚 lights, camera and action for Christopher Mapp--a University of Louisiana at Monroe assistant professor of communication--as a short screenplay he wrote went into production one month ago.

The short film, titled 鈥淭he Do-Over,鈥� is shot on location in Los Angeles, Calif., and is being produced by Hollywood Casting and Film. It is currently in post-production.

The story is about a woman, Lori, who is learning to live again after a bad marriage. At a party, she runs into the divorce attorney, Simon, who represented her husband. She is convinced that to heal, she must confront Simon about how he portrayed her in court.

Simon has his own emotional baggage that teaches Lori that life and love are not always black and white.

鈥淚t sounds pretty dark, but it鈥檚 got some funny moments, too. And it ends on an uplifting note. The actors get to show a wide range of emotions,鈥� said Mapp.

Last December, about 200 actors auditioned in Hollywood for the six speaking roles in the film. Mapp was able to watch their performances online and give the producers input.

鈥淚 was blown away by the level of professionalism. The actors who eventually got the roles really brought the characters to life. That was a real thrill to see,鈥� Mapp said.

Vinay Bhagat, founder of Hollywood Casting and Film, said there was something about Mapp鈥檚 story that connected with the actors in Hollywood and they 鈥渉ad a record number of actors audition for the film.鈥�

鈥淐hris is one of a handful of writers that can write a compelling story in a short film format,鈥� said Bhagat. 鈥淲e had a wonderful time bringing the script to life."听

The film stars Lili Wexu and Peter Bonilla as Lori and Simon. Wexu is an established voice-over actress from Canada with screen credits that include 鈥淎liens versus Predator: Requiem.鈥�

Cristen Irene will play the second female lead. Irene has had roles in television shows such as 鈥淗ow I Met Your Mother鈥� and 鈥淐riminal Minds.鈥� The film also stars Jules Hartley, Matthew Pohlkamp, Edwin Kho, and was directed by Kristian Van Der Heyden.

鈥淭he Do-Over鈥� is a Screen Actor鈥檚 Guild credited production and will be entered into film festivals this summer.
Mapp is a member of Hollywood Casting and Film鈥檚 advisory board and has a second script, 鈥淎isle 6,鈥� in pre-production with the company.

Mapp is the adviser of The Hawkeye and is offering a script writing course over the summer.