Film Execs to View CSUN Student Work

When Shepherd Stevenson went searching for an idea for his senior film at Cal State Northridge, he didn’t have to look far.

The 40-year-old found a compelling story in his own recovery from alcoholism and his fight to get his life back on track.

“I’m sort of fascinated by recovery,” Stevenson said. “It’s a simple process where one person is helping another person.”

Stevenson’s 20-minute film, called “Riding the Range,” was chosen as one of five produced by CSUN students to be screened beginning at 7 tonight at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills.

“The work they do is quite exemplary,” said Judy Marlane, chairwoman of CSUN’s radio, television and film department.

Tonight, film industry representatives are expected to view the five films, which were selected from about a dozen senior projects. Each filmmaker will receive a cash award to defray some of the filming costs, Marlane said.

“Riding the Range,” shot in black-and-white, features Stevenson’s best friend, Michael Savage, as a man who finds it difficult to give up the drinking that is so integral to his social life. He seeks support from his friend (played by Stevenson) but gives some back when his friend falls off the wagon.

Stevenson said the story is not too much different from his own life. In his 20s and 30s, he played in a rock band. “The whole band was based on drinking,” he said.

He and his drinking buddy, Savage, decided it was time to quit. Together they helped each other through recovery.

Now Stevenson works at a post-production company in Hollywood and recently celebrated four years of sobriety.

“My life’s changed a lot in that I have hope of retaining dignity. That’s kind of the reason I quit.”