“16 Stones” debutes in Utah theatres
On October 1st, the new motion picture 16 Stones was released in Utah theaters. In this fictional story, three friends in 1830s Missouri embark on a danger-filled quest to find an artifact from the Book of Mormon--the 16 Jaredite stones that were touched by the finger of the Lord. Along the way they discover the importance that faith plays in their journey. Two Springville residents were cast as actors in this movie adventure.
Jakob Tice, originally from the Eastern U.S., has lived in Springville for the last five years. Since has graduation from BYU he has been a stage and screen actor in the area. In 16 Stones he plays the role of a tonic salesman who the principal actors meet in their quest for the glowing stones. In preparing for his role, Tice said he did a lot of personal research into “snake oil” salesmen of the 1800s. He imagined his character as endearing so he could sell his goods and con people out of their money. At the same time, his character didn’t want people to know his product was bogus or let people discover the source of his business. Tice said the costume he wore helped him see his character as a successful, confident salesman.
To round out his efforts to portray this interesting character he relied on the script and guidance from the Director.
Susan Phelan has lived in Springville for the past 18 years, coming originally from Virginia and New Jersey. She currently serves as president of Utah Women In Film, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting women filmmakers. In the movie, she plays a widow, who is hanging on to the one memento she has left of her deceased husband, as mobbers loot her possessions while attacking her village. Phelan began acting in her early teens, and has been involved in film and theater roles over the last ten years. Of the film, she said that 16 Stones takes “a new direction in LDS films that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes an adventure.”
While the movie portrays occurrences in Missouri and other eastern states, the movie was filmed entirely in Utah, and takes advantage of the great talent pool that exists in the Utah film community. The movie is playing in theaters throughout Utah and will expand to surrounding states on October 24.