A long line of 200 anxious moviegoers wound around the MET Cinema Friday night in anticipation of Matt Sconce's Oakhurst premiere of his first major film 'Stricken,' partially filmed in the Mountain Area.
North Fork resident Sconce was met by applause from a fully packed theatre as he introduced his film to his hometown audience.
"It was a surreal experience," Sconce said. "I grew up here. The people I know and love were finally able to see what my team and I had created. It was a nerve-wracking but amazing experience."
Response to his PG13 rated horror/thriller film was immediate -- screams followed by laughter were heard throughout the dimly lit theater.
Casting director and local resident Carollyn DeVore liked the movie so much she wants to see it travel far past Oakhurst. "I just loved it and think it will do very well," she said. "It could be released in nationwide theaters."
After the showing, attendees were invited to take a seat in the director's chair and record their response.
"I enjoyed it, it was very good," said Steve Martin of Fresno. "I had no expectations when I came to see the movie but it was very good and kind of reminded me of 'Nightmare on Elm Street.' The story line was not as predictable as I thought it would be -- I've seen big budget films not as good."
Although 'Stricken' was self-financed, it was apparent in the reviews that it did not affect the quality of the film.
"The visual effects were awesome -- I'd give it all the awards I can think of," said Jordan Martin, 19, of Fresno Teen Scene Street Team. "It was amazing. The dude -- Sconce -- is a genius."
Patricia Foster, 12, was impressed by Sconce's work and said she would watch 'Stricken' a second time. "I think it was scary, more scary than I thought it would be but I'd watch it again," she said. "I'd like to see more movies by Matt Sconce."
'Stricken' will make its Los Angeles debut July 27 at the Action on Film Award Festival. It already has the following nominations at the Festival:
Best Horror Film -- Feature
Best Score Feature
Best Visual Effects Feature
Best Produced Screenplay
Seven distributors and two sales agents are lined up to see the film after its L.A. debut.
"Matt Sconce did excellent work for a beginning director," said Bob Bradford, fellow filmmaker.
Sconce is already planning his next two feature films, 'The Park' and 'Magic.'
