The Theta Girl
Billed as an "existenploitation film," THE THETA GIRL follows the trials and tribulations of young drug-dealer, Gayce Delko.
"Theta" was a "fun drug." A drug that blew people's minds. Theta was supposed to be a door to Heaven, but when her best friends get methodically and brutally murdered, Gayce realizes theta might also be a door to Hell -- and it's up to her to shut it.
Produced for $14,000 in South Carolina by first-time filmmakers, THE THETA GIRL is an exercise in sex, drugs, punk rock, brutality, gore, revenge, and self-actualization. And it's an art film.
"Edgy, thoughtful, quality entertainment." - Film Threat
Warning: THE THETA GIRL contains graphic violence, drug use, nudity, and sexual situations.
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Christopher BickelDirector
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David AxeWriter
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Christopher BickelProducer
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David AxeProducer
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Victoria ElizabethKey Cast
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Shane SilmanKey Cast
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Darelle D. DoveKey Cast
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Quinn DeograciasKey Cast
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Project Type:Feature
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Genres:Horror, Psychedelic, Exploitation, Art
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Runtime:1 hour 38 minutes
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Completion Date:September 10, 2017
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Production Budget:14,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
Christopher Bickel's first film, titled THE THETA GIRL, was intended as a learning exercise after years of curating a cult film program for the Nickelodeon Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina. Bickel has previously been a writer for Maximum Rock and Roll magazine and is currently a staff writer for DangerousMinds.net.
Creating THE THETA GIRL was important as a personal project, in simply learning the process of filmmaking, but throughout every stage of production, the needs of the audience were considered and put to the fore. The intent was to create a narrative that worked on a number of philosophical levels, while at the same time paying homage to the great horror and exploitation films of the 70s and 80s (while existing in its own time-space, not coming off as a "fake grindhouse movie.") THE THETA GIRL proudly passes the Bechdel Test.
My favorite films have always been low-budget films that creatively rose above the circumstances of their short-comings. It is my feeling that THE THETA GIRL, in some ways, gives away its lack of budget and the novice experience level of myself and the others who worked on it (we were all first-timers), but at the same time, it is effectively entertaining and thought-provoking from start to finish. Of course, ultimately, this is up to the audience to decide.
Coming from a background in punk rock and playing in bands, I look at THE THETA GIRL as a demo-tape. Hopefully, to the audience, a good demo tape.