WU alumnus wins People's Choice Award
By: Amy Buchanan
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Lifestyle
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"It was awesome to come from nowhere to People's Choice," said Minnihan, who received a degree in media communications from Webster University in 2007.
Minnihan won the award for his film proposal for "Father John" in the 2009 American Film Market's "Favorite Film Pitch" contest held at the filmmakers lounge at Le Merigot Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.
Several hundred presenters participated in the contest and were given a maximum of two and a half minutes each to give a quick summary of their movie ideas. After all the entries were reviewed, AFM industry leaders chose five finalists. The public voted - via the People's Choice Web site - for the movie they wanted to see made.
"I was nervous and didn't think we would make it that far," Minnihan said, referring to being a top five finalist.
The film tells the story of a spy from London who lives obliviously. The spy suddenly becomes aware of life's challenges once he is in Shanghai, China. Minnihan developed the movie idea while he was in Shanghai studying abroad with WU. He wanted to draw his audience in with a unique way. Minnihan said he loved every minute of his experience in Shanghai, and every time he goes back, it gets even better.
"Everything goes up so fast in China," Minnihan said. "It's just so full of life there."
Minnihan wants people to realize that Hollywood is not the only place for the film industry. He said Shanghai is a city with new and original ideas. That's why he used it in his film - the city has a new and different culture to embrace.
Minnihan also met his fiancée, Qiuju Wang, a junior education major, in Shanghai in 2004. Wang said she knew how lucky she was. She said he has the biggest heart of anyone she knows and is so proud of all his accomplishments.
"He is such a young guy and so dedicated to the 'Father John' movie," Wang said. "He sometimes works overnight to accomplish his work."
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