Short Film WITNESS 11 to Be Featured in St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

Mercury Labs, a cinema and communications company, is screening the short film "Witness 11" in the annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, a premier venue by Cinema St. Louis for films made by local artists. Several production staff from Mercury Labs worked on the film, including Chris Lawing as Director of Photography (DP).

"Witness 11" takes place in 1947, at the beginning of the Red Scare. Called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, famed German playwright Bertolt Brecht must choose between betraying his friends and imprisonment. Writer/director Sean Mitchell brought Lawing on to realize the visual look of the movie. Lawing shot the film for black and white using several RED cameras.

"I had the exciting challenge of recreating one of the most important chapters in both American and cinema history in the 20th century," said Chris Lawing, Mercury Labs president. "We had a huge space to light with an indie crew and budget, and the footage looks both stunning and accurate for the time period."

Lawing has spent more than 20 years directing, shooting and editing film, video and broadcast content. He served as assistant editor on Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." and Showtime's "The Settlement." For Mercury Labs clients, he has directed and produced hundreds of commercials, brand videos and television episodes. Lawing and Mitchell previously earned a spot at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, winning top honors of "Most Creative" and "Best Special Effects" for the Spencer Day music video "Movie of your Life."

In addition to choosing Chris Lawing as DP, Mitchell brought on Mercury Labs' Angie Lawing as Associate Producer and Derek Weikle as Camera Assistant.

"Witness 11" will be included in the Drama 1 showcase at 7:15pm Tuesday, July 21 at the Tivoli Theater, 6350 Delmar Blvd. Tickets are $12, $10 for students and can be purchased on the Tivoli web site.

About Mercury Labs

Mercury Labs is a full service video production and public relations firm focused on the science of cinema and communications. Our team has decades of experience in producing film, video and television content and in operating successful public relations programs. For more information, go to www.mercury-labs.com. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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