Senior Todd Geren is the type of person who credits others for the positive influence they’ve had in his life, and he looks for opportunities to have that same kind of impact on others.

The secondary education major from Ducktown, in southeast Tennessee, found both when he tried out and was chosen for a part in “Bell Witch: The Movie,” produced by Big River Pictures L.L.C., a subsidiary of Sevierville’s Cinemarr Entertainment.

Student Todd Geren as Joshua Gardner in "Bell Witch: The Movie"

Based on a legendary haunting in the early 1800s, “Bell Witch” premieres tomorrow at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The red-carpet gala, a concert featuring music from the film and the movie itself will be broadcast live via satellite in full-bandwidth to high definition theaters across the country.

“Not everybody gets an opportunity like this, and I’m thankful because I realize this experience has truly been a blessing from God,” says Geren, who portrays Joshua Gardner, the love interest of tormented Betsy Bell, in the film.

The voice of the witch is provided by Betsy Palmer, possibly best known for her role as Jason’s mother in the original “Friday The 13th” movie.

“Shane Marr, who directed and produced this movie, took a long shot when he decided to cast me as Joshua Gardner, though, because I know I’m not worthy of it," says Geren. "It was an incredible experience for a poor kid from Ducktown.”

If it hadn’t been for Geren’s late grandfather, Rev. Eddie Lewis, however, he might never have even tried out for the movie.

Hope Banks plays Betsy Bell, love interest of our Todd Geren.

“He had just passed away," Geren says. "We had just had his funeral, and I was messing around on the Internet, typed in the wrong web address and was directed to a page for an open casting call for this project, so I decided to go and try out for my grandfather.”

He took his guitar with him and was given the green light to return for an audition.

“I read with lots of the young ladies who were trying out for the lead actress part, and about a month after that first reading, I was called back for a second reading,” he says.

By the end of summer prior to filming, the part of Joshua Gardner had finally been narrowed down to Geren and another actor — and the rest, of course, is history.
But the experience was just beginning for Geren, who — along with the rest of cast and crew — was on location in Townsend for filming during the entire month of October 2001.

“I returned home only three times that month, and one of those time was to visit my girlfriend, Beth, on her birthday,” he says.

The couple, who have since married, met shortly before Geren became involved with the movie, after he learned that her father had died only three days before his grandfather.

“It was a new relationship, so it was hard having to be away for such a long period all at one time — but everyday on the set, I was learning something new about make-up, wardrobe or just about movie-making in general.”

Geren says the experience also gave him greater self confidence.

“I was the poor kid who got picked on in elementary school, so instead of having lots of friends, I became the nerd who walked around with my nose in a book, but now I know I won’t be scared to go to another audition, if God leads my life in that direction again."

Doris Marr, a representative of Cinemarr Entertainment and Big River Pictures, says Geren is exactly the type of person those companies are looking for.

“There is so much untapped talent here in the South, and it’s our goal to try to find and reveal some of that hidden talent,” she says. “Todd was a natural who was wonderful to work with. No matter what career he chooses, I know he will be successful. That’s just the kind of personality he has.”

Although Geren says the experience hasn’t altered his desire to become an English teacher, he believes some of the things he learned on set will enhance his classroom capabilities.

“I think with both, you have to always be ready, always be on your toes and not be afraid to improvise if you have to.”

Tickets for the premiere, which will be hosted by Phil Campbell, son of the late Archie Campbell, are $30 each.

They are still available for purchase through www.BellWitchPremiere.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Ryman Auditorium box office, on the web at www.Ryman.com or by phone at 615-255-9600.