Indie filmmakers in Newton are using an all-kid cast for next movie

Tiffany Ketcham, of Newton, returned to indie filmmaking last year after a more than decade-long dry spell with the supernatural drama “The Gates”, but now, just as she begins shooting her follow-up movie — this time a quirky comedy — she is confronted with an even bigger challenge: directing kids.

So far, the experience has been going well at rehearsals. “Littles,” directed and written by Ketcham, stars a cast of 30 kids. Many are from Jasper County and have been rehearsing regularly at the Steppin’ Out Dance Studio. No adults have any starring roles in the film, which, again, adds more to the challenge.

“These kids have worked so hard and they’re hilarious and I’m excited to see what they bring to the screen,” Ketcham said.

Approximately 45 kids auditioned for “Littles,” which is set to begin filming in September. Ketcham said the production crew has been treating the process more like a play. Actors have been rehearsing since May, although many of the little “Little” actors do not have theater backgrounds.

“It’s been an adventure kind of seeing it all slowly come together,” Ketcham said. “I feel like in film most of the time when you show up on set for the first day of filming there’s a lot of hoping and praying. With this one the kids are going to be very well-practiced. They’ve met almost every single member of our crew.”

A huge departure from “The Gates,” Ketcham loves the change of pace and tone in “Littles.” As a writer and filmmaker, she relishes a good challenge.

“It’s fun to challenge yourself,” she said. “It’s fun to say I did this, and now I’m going to do something completely different to show off what I can do. This project is very, very different. There is also going to be some mixed media animation in it … It’s going to be a family-friendly event for any age that wants to come.”

Ketcham said the community support for “The Gates” was strong, and that has continued into the production of “Littles.” She and her fellow filmmakers want to make Newton the premier location for indie filmmaking. At a past awards ceremony, there were enough signs for Ketcham that her town was special.

“We want to make Newton the place where movies are made,” Ketcham said. “…At the Iowa Motion Picture Association Awards, they had a host that was from Newton. They had a special guest, Bing, who was from Newton. And then one of our films. So it was a night all about Newton!”

The community also serves as the setting for Ketcham’s new movie. “Little” takes advantage of old Maytag headquarters offices, which are owned by DMACC.

“We have all these cubicles, all this office equipment — it’s just absolutely perfect that this is being done in Newton,” Ketcham said. “All of the pieces are there.”

Ketcham said “Littles” follows Janie, a 10-year-old with an office job and a husband and two kids. Something sound off? Well, good. Ketcham said Janie complains about the challenges of parenting and longs for being a kid again. Everyone arounds her appears to be kids. So something is not quite right.

“She’s living this perfectly normal adult life, except for the fact that everyone is children,” she said. “But they all think they’re adults.”

Ketcham added “Littles” laments the joys of childhood.

“It kind of gives us all back that moment of wanting to wake up on a Saturday and not having anything to do and where you get to just sit on the couch and eat your cereal and watch your cartoons,” Ketcham said. “That is also the reason behind writing it. It’s finding that moment again.”

To help fundraise for the film, Ketcham and the crew have allowed opportunities for local businesses to sponsor one of the child actors. Ketcham said these participating local businesses may also provide brand memorabilia — stickers or mugs — to be shared in the movie. They will also be in the end credits.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.