Corbin man’s sci-fi screenplay made into movie that will premier April 5 at film festival

Above, the official movie poster for "Mind’s Eye," which will premier at the Phoenix Film Festival on April 5.

During a typical day, Mark Daniels is neck deep in paperwork and fulfilling his duties overseeing a myriad of programs for the Corbin Independent School District.

But it’s the hobby that consumes his almost non-existent free time for which he hopes to become better known.

Daniel’s will finally get to the see the first screenplay he ever sold turned into a full-length, feature film in the very near future.

“Mind’s Eye,” a sci-fi, psychological thriller he authored four years ago will premier April 5 at the 14th Phoenix Film Festival in Phoenix, AZ.

At 52, Daniels, who serves as Director of Support Services for Corbin Schools, said for the past 23 years he’s devoted enough time just about every day to write at least one page on whatever particular plot he’s got going at the moment. He sold “Mind’s Eye” to a Colorado-based production company in 2011, Black Wing Digital, through InkTip — a service that connects writers with film producers and production companies.

Daniels said he’s seen only a trailer for the movie, but calls the experience of watching actors bring to life his work “surreal.”

“It’s very awkward and it’s pretty cool at the same time,” Daniels said. “The thing I really like is when I hear them speak stuff that I wrote, dialogue that I put on paper four years ago or whatever … there’s lines that I remember. I remember writing that. At the time I was just coming up with this crazy story, and now they’ve brought it to life.”

Though not entirely forthcoming about the specific plotline (he wouldn’t want to ruin it for viewers) Daniels said "Mind’s Eye" essentially follows the strange events surrounding its lead character, Mattie Carver, as space and time seem to collapse around her.

An official plot synopsis gives the following description: “Mattie Carver’s world is turning curiouser and curiouser, as space and time seem to be collapsing all around her. Joined by a misfit team of friends, teachers, and two mysterious men in black, Mattie is in a race to restore her world to normal, before it’s too late.”

Carver is played by newcomer Izzie Steele

The movie has some well-known actors, including the legendary Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Simms; Dean Cain, who played Superman/Clark Kent in the popular TV show “Lois and Clark,” takes on the role of Mark Willis in “Mind’s Eye.”

Daniels said he’s fairly certain the director, Mark Steven Grove, took liberties with his screenplay, which is common.

“They make changes whichever way they need to,” Daniels said. “A lot of times it has to do with budget or whatever … it was a far bigger production as far as what I imagined, but you got an independent film here and they are trying to do what they can.”

Daniels said the budget for “Mind’s Eye” was about $1 million. The movie was filmed totally in Colorado; a state Daniels said is among growing number offering lucrative tax incentives to filmmakers.

Though he received an invitation to attend the premiere of the movie in Phoenix, Daniels said he likely wouldn’t attend because of work obligations.

Still, he hopes the final product turns out to be an enjoyable, entertaining diversion for anyone who sees it.

“I never write anything I don’t want to see,” Daniels said. “That’s what inspires me as far as my writing. I keep a whole list of ideas, but what it really comes down to is would I be willing to pay to go see this.”

“Mind’s Eye” will be playing at the festival on Saturday, April 5 at 9:15 p.m. and again on Sunday, April 6 at 4:05 p.m.

Daniels said the movie already has a distribution company attached to it, but he doesn’t know if it will be released to theaters, direct to video or perhaps shown on television.

The Phoenix Film Festival takes place this year April 3-10 and has been named one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine and is a program of the 501c(3) non-profit Phoenix Film Foundation. The event was started in 2000 by independent filmmakers as an opportunity to showcase independent filmmaking. Over 150 films are screened at the festival annually. More information about the festival, and a trailer for “Mind’s Eye,” can be found at www.phoenixfilmfestival.com.

Daniels said he’s sold approximately 18 screenplays to producers so far. Two more currently have financing in place and are getting close to the production phase: “Unstable,” a serious, taut and creepy psychological thriller and a drama, based on a true story, called “Kiss the Girl Goodbye.”