It took months of preparation for a group of BYU film students to turn the clock back 50 years at Salt Lake City's Exchange Place.

But the results, according to the film's student director, were worth the effort.

"It took a lot of permits and a lot of leg work," Nathan Lee said. "Then we had a nice, clear street that gives us a blank canvas."

Add in some period cars, located at various classic car shows around the state, and the illusion is complete. "That really adds the perfect feeling to turn the street back to the '50s," Lee said.

The film, "Inspector 42," is one of three student films completed by students in the BYU Theatre and Media Arts Department that will be screened Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem. There is no charge for admission.

"Inspector 42" is the story of a shirt inspector who decides to allow faulty shirts to pass inspection and then must then find a way to fix the problems created by his actions.

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Other films include "Spit," the story of a card game that everybody plays in the small town of Calvin Alley where the annual Spit tournament is held, and "The Teller's Tale," which follows an 11-year-old boy desperate to win the coveted lucky Rabbit's Foot, a treasure held by his friend and neighbor.

Jeff Parkin, of BYU's theater and media arts faculty, said all three films represent the continuing growth of the university's film program and improvements in technology that makes it easier for students to get their stories on film.

"We have students who come in and know how to use the software, but it's learning how to tell meaningful, effective stories that still requires a lot of effort. In all these movies, the students worked really hard to get their scripts in place, and that's important," he said. "Good movies don't come from bad scripts."

e-mail: mhaddock@desnews.com

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