by NIKKI ROBERTI
Lifestyles Reporter

Justin G. Turner was 16 when he received an honorable mention for his film in the New York International Film and Video Festival in Manhattan.

Now a sophomore film studies major, he is working on his next big project.

As an advanced film production student, he is required to create a longer film for the class.

Sophomore English major Justin G. Turner shoots scenes for his film “God Can Only Judge Us and Why a Man Must Fight,” which he hopes to complete by April to enter in film festivals. Photo by Rachel Noel.

Completely student-run, Turner expects to have close to 200 faces on camera through the use of extras and about 20 students as crew made up of people who “really like me or owe me something,” he said.

Turner will star, direct and write the script.

The film follows a man, Gene, and his wife who is expecting a baby as they both fall on hard times. Gene goes back to crime to support his family, though he swore never to go back again.

Turner said he wanted to explore the question of whether it was morally wrong to do crime to help one’s family.

“A lot of it parallels to...these economic times,” Turner said. “It’s based on a true story—not to say that it’s based on me—but it’s interesting and I need to convey it.”

Turner, who has been acting since he was 8 years old, said he never stars in his own films, but will make the exception for this project.

“It means so much to me and I relate to the character. I need a portrayal of a real character and someone who knows how to handle guns and certain situations,” he said. “I don’t think anyone I know could touch that because I’ve been there.”

While Turner is madly in love with films, he is also in love with his wife Sarah, his real life high school sweetheart. After being married last June, they are now expecting a baby.

If it is a girl, Turner said they will name her Guinevere, which is also the name of the female lead character in his current movie.

Sarah said she supports her husband on the sidelines when it comes to films because of their differing opinions on genres.

“He enjoys the bang-them-up movies with more violence than talking. I enjoy the typical happy- go-lucky movies that are really just for entertaining and leave you with a feeling of euphoria,” she said. “Eventually, I would like him to make a movie that me and our future children could watch and enjoy.”

Turner is not worried about his baby, who is due in September, affecting his plans of being a film director.

“If nothing, the kid will inspire more than anything,” he said. “As [curriculum & instruction professor] Jeff Goodman would say, ‘you will grow from it.’”

Turner describes himself as a method actor, which his wife has first-hand experienced.

“I did hear him practicing different accents in the shower the other day,” she said. “I just thought it was funny. I also witness him playing dress up and making faces in the mirror. These acts always make me laugh.”

While Sarah said she wishes he would sometimes spend more time with her, she enjoys her husband’s love for what he does.

“I am so very much proud of him for doing something that he is passionate about. It totally changes his personality and makes him have a twinkle in his eye,” she said. “I like that twinkle.”

The film is finished with pre-production and started shooting Saturday.

Turner hopes to showcase his film in Greenbriar Theater in Plemmons Student Union once the film completes production.

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