Casey Abrams Starred in a Student Film at Age 14 – (Watch the Video)

By On 09/25/2011 · 6 Comments · In American Idol, Casey Abrams

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Casey Abrams starred in a student film, 18 minutes, while he was a student at the Idyllwide Arts Academy. The film was directed by a fellow student,  Alexis Achavarria, who was only 15 when he wrote the script.

The film follows 3 separate story lines. A 14 year-old Casey plays the son of a man descending into madness.  The protagonists in the story, discovering the power of love, are unaware that they are living the last 18 minutes of sunlight on earth.

The film earned Achavarria a Best Screenwriting award from the Idyllwild  in 2004. The following year, he filmed 18 minutes with the help of his fellow classmates.

The film was selected for the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival one week before Achavarria returned from Thailand. Since then, 18 Minutes has received several awards in 18 different festivals and venues around the world.

Sadly the director died in 2005 from a heart attack brought on by a bacterial infection he brought back from overseas.

It’s a great little film. Casey does a nice job in a very heavily dramatic part. Watch below.

 

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  • katielynne

    I much prefer Casey looking this way without all that facial hair.

  • upsidedawn

    Casey’s very good. For me, that was the most affecting story line.

    What a sad thing when someone with so much talent and promise as the director of that film dies at such a young age.

  • ituneit

    Since Casey looks about 40 now I expected him to look about 30 when he was 14 :) He’s one of the more talented Idols. He should have come in 4th place.

  • lizbeth2827

    It is so sad to know that the writer/director passed away so young. I thought it was a very interesting film–really terrific for such young kids to put together. Seems that the Idyllwide Arts Academy is a wonderful school for those creative and talented students.

    I thought Casey did a fine job with the role. He has so much talent is different areas– I really think he will be quite successful in the entertainment world.

    Casey was an adorable 14 yr old. I think he is still adorable. I don’t think he looks like he is 40 at all–LOL. I think he looks like a 20 yr old with a beard.

    The actor who plays Casey’s father looked so familiar to me. Turns out he was on General Hospital back in the day. I kept thinking–where do I know him from–LOL!

  • TwigLA

    Just watched it all the way through. Wow! That was powerful.

    I’ve seen a lot of college level film school student projects and this blows most of them away. What a shame the writer/director passed at such a young age.

    Casey did a great job in his part. It puts into perspective his comments about wanting to go into acting. That passion was already there and not something born out of his 15 minutes of TV fame via American Idol.

  • ptslittlecomment

    Well done! Leaves you thinking, which is always a good thing. A talent did pass away far too young.

    And no, unless I missed his name in the credits, that wasn’t David Canary of All My Children and Bonanza fame playing the father. The actor did resemble him though.