“DISPATCHED” is an independent film produced by talent not only local to Wisconsin, but Madison College, too. Writer and director Jarrod Crooks was born in Wausau, Wis. He’s been making films, locally, for almost 15 years and has special enthusiasm for writing and choreographing fighting scenes. His first full-length film, “Deal with it,” was made in 2006, and his second, “Thieves like Us,” appeared on the Wisconsin Public Television show, “Director’s Cut,” in 2010. Since then, he’s made a number of short films on location in the Midwest with success.
“DISPATCHED” is his third feature film about a down-and-out cop (Crooks) who’s sent to keep an eye on the Captain’s daughter while also evading a crazed ex-cop out for revenge. The movie is Crooks’s cop comedy/thriller mash-up of childhood favorites “Girl Happy” with Elvis Presley, and “Police Story” with Jackie Chan. The story idea started with Crooks wondering if he could make “Girl Happy” into an action movie—skipping the musical numbers for fighting scenes. Jackie Chan’s film was another old favorite that inspired the mood of “DISPATCHED.” Chan’s movie inspires laughs during the comedy of the first half, when suddenly the film turns dark and intense and the audience suddenly fears they’ll see their beloved characters die. Crooks respects and aims for that balance of comedy and action: “If there’s some way I could do something like that, because people are so engaged at that point. ‘Cause when you’re laughing with characters, you’re kind of falling in love with them.”
Actor Greg Kuper, who plays the police Captain, also helped produce the film. After the film’s premiere in Madison on March 29, he believes “DISPATCHED” captured the mixture of comedy and thrills they were hoping for. He watched the audience’s faces turn when the comedy stopped and it got dramatic. “It went from laughy ‘ha ha, that’s cute and funny’ to this dead silence, and everyone was focused and into it.”
Kuper is no stranger to independent filmmaking, either; he’s been making films for five years. Actor Katrina Simyab, who plays his daughter, was another part in producing the film. Simyab, Kuper and Crooks have worked together in past projects. They say they form a “three-headed monster,” each with his or her own niche in certain areas to make a successful film. They’re very happy with “DISPATCHED.”
Crooks and Kuper say they’re keeping the creative energy flowing and are already halfway through writing their next film, about two guys trying to make an independent film. “Write what you know, right?” Crooks said.
They call the film a “grey comedy,” which is a new genre based on humor from the circumstances of the realistic storyline, rather than trying so hard for laughs. Kuper laughs and remarks, “we like to create new genres.”
Kuper and Simyab are alumni of Madison College. Kuper earned his certificate in video production, and Simyab has earned an Associative Arts degree and will be graduating in December with a communication arts degree in TV, radio and film. Not only that, but Simyab and Crooks both work for Madison College in the Enrollment Center. A large portion of “DISPATCHED,” – about a fourth of the film – was even filmed on campus, made to look like a police headquarters.
Crooks will soon have DVD copies of “DISPATCHED” available for sale online and will be continuing to market the film for festivals and other opportunities. He is also trying to give a showing at Madison College before the end of the semester.