This past Tuesday, West Chester University played host to a free test screening of the low budget comedy “Swooped,” which was written and directed by SeanPaul Costello and Joe Gariffo, who both also starred in the film.”Swooped” tells the tale of two best friends who accidentally end up with the girl that the other is seeking. Prior to filming, Costello described “Swooped” as an “off-the-wall comedy,” with a serious twist. The title comes from a term that Costello and Gariffo coined, meaning to take something or someone away from someone else.
A huge crowd packed into the Sykes theater in order to see a rough cut of Costello and Gariffo’s so-called “bro-mantic” comedy.
Audience members who arrived before the 8 p.m. start time were invited to walk a Hollywood-style red carpet, complete with throngs of eager photographers snapping pictures. The scene was further set thanks to the presence of WCU TV Club, which co-sponsored the event. WCU TV interviewed the cast and crew as they waited outside the theater doors.
The night didn’t go completely according to script for the boys, however as technical difficulties caused the film to be interrupted about halfway through. Such a situation could have been a disaster, but Costello and Gariffo took it as an opportunity to interact with the crowd, joking around and asking for thoughts on the film to that point. Their natural charisma and stage prescience took what could have been an uncomfortable situation and made it seem like just another part of the show.
Gariffo’s mother also got into the act. During this unscheduled intermission she performed a brief a capella number, providing a inside look at where Gariffo got his artistic streak.
Once the bugs were worked out and “Swooped” had played through, surveys were passed out to each audience member so that they could share their personal opinions on the film and if they would change anything.
If the movie’s facebook.com page is any indication, the test screening was a massive success as comments continue to flood in praising both the film and the filmmakers.
Costello and Gariffo will continue to work towards finalizing their film as they wait for Dec. 7, the date when they will find out whether or not “Swooped” will be accepted into the Sundance 2011 Film Festival and officially debut there.
“Swooped” is based on a true story and was filmed last winter in Philadelphia, PA and Orlando, FL. Costello and Gariffo wrote the script during the Philadelphia Phillies successful run to the 2008 World Series title.
In addition to Costello and Gariffo, “Swooped” also stars Whitney Nielsen, Krista Boshinski and Greg Bell. WCU’s own Tiffany Caprice served as a producer on the film.
For more information, or to get in touch with the cast and crew, check out “Swooped” on Facebook.com and Myspace.com.
Colin McGlinchey is a fifth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at CM646588@wcupa.edu.