The script on Nick Terry’s life is hardly written.
At 20 years old, he’s at that age where he might be cast in a supporting role. But instead he’s the star, the main catalyst in a life that keeps popping and makes outsiders wonder: Where will this guy end up?
He’s got two films to his credit. On Friday, the first play he ever wrote will be shown at Historic Everett Theatre, with real actors in front of a live, paying audience.
“Senior Prom — The Play” is based on Terry’s film of the same name. For Historic Everett to show a play by an unknown writer — you might think kid — is a leap of faith.
Director L. Sam Samano, chairwoman of the Historic’s board of directors, would agree but said the board determined this might be a good way to draw in a younger audience.
And there’s a bonus: no royalties to pay.
“We are promoting a young talent and we have to think outside the box,” Samano said.
How will the theater measure “Senior Prom — The Play” as a box office success?
“If we can at least get all the props paid for,” Samano said.
There are loftier measurements of success as well.
Other youth might get the bright idea that something they write could be performed.
Or perhaps the play could become a staple for some high school drama departments.
That would make Terry happy.
“If other troupes give it a shot and take it on, that would be cool,” Terry said. “I’d like to see how far it will go. See what happens.”
And, what also would be cool, if “Senior Prom — The Play” could make some money for the always struggling Historic Everett Theatre.
Terry has a real fondness for the theater and cares about its future. His dad, Matt Terry, is on the board of directors and helps run the theater’s movie night program. Dad also helped his son turn “Senior Prom” from a film into a play.
Nick Terry’s love for Historic Everett is that silver screen kind of crazy love that makes a man do things.
In this case, that love made Terry make another film.
In 2011, Terry made the funny mockumentary “The Historic” to help the theater raise money. The film is about a group of teenagers working at the Historic Everett Theatre. It was filmed in the same snarky, talk-to-the-camera style as several popular prime-time sitcoms.
The story line has the downtown Everett theater on the brink of being sold when a former worker-turned-famous Hollywood filmmaker wants to premiere his new flick there.
So two films and a play. All by age 20.
Is there a fear of peaking too young? Not for this guy.
“My goal has always been when I come up with a project, do it right and finish what I started,” Terry said. “When I was younger, I started things I didn’t finish and now I make sure I get stuff done and it’s worked out pretty well so far.”
Pretty well.
“Senior Prom” was Terry’s senior project at Mountlake Terrace High School. He created the mockumentary about one of the culminating moments in a teenager’s life: senior prom. Terry was inspired by the style of director Christopher Guest, who has done such films as “Best in Show.”
Terry combined improvisation with the interview style of filming made popular by “The Office” and finished “Senior Prom.” His feature-length, 79-minute film was done in time to submit it to the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth.
Though NFFTY wanted the film, they agreed to let SIFF have it and the film made its world premiere to a full house at the SIFF Cinema at McCall Hall in Seattle. That premiere made Terry the youngest filmmaker to have a feature film at SIFF and with a budget of about $500, it was more than likely the least expensive film at the festival.
Terry also submitted the film to other film festivals. “Senior Prom” won Best Feature Film–High School Division at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. It also showed at the Ellensburg Film Festival.
OK. So what’s next?
Terry has recently received an AA degree and is trying to land odd jobs in the field of editing and acting. But he’s always working on scripts. He said he will try to push his way into the industry on the tech, editing side and make some money that way.
Director Samano calls Terry a “very goal-oriented kid.”
“Well-rounded and an incredible editor, too, and sometimes he has an incredible eye,” Samano said.
At the moment, Terry’s eyes appear to be wide open.
“I’m always looking for what I can do next,” Terry said.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; tgoffredo@heraldnet.com
“Senior Prom — The Play” opens at 7:30* p.m. Friday and runs through June 16 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets are $10 and $8. All proceeds go to support the theater. Dress for prom and save $1. For tickets, call 425-258-6766, go to www.everetttheatre.org, or purchase them at the door.
*Correction, May 31, 2013: The start time in this article was originally incorrect.
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