CHATTER FROM THE AUDIENCE TURNS TO MURMURS AND THEN STOPS AS THE THEATRE GOES DARK

The big screen glows with opening scenes — a montage of gunfire, high-speed car chases, American flags rustling in the wind.

Then a black screen reads: A Sean McEwen Film. McEwen recently visited campus for a screening of his latest movie project, “American Outlaws.”

Based on true events, the 2023 movie explores family dynamics and social-class hierarchies as a group of siblings embark on a crime spree in an effort to live a more comfortable life.

The film features Academy Award nominee Tess Harper, a fellow Bear.

Alumni, students and other attendees viewed the film, which was followed by a Q&A session with McEwen.

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre, he has become a multihyphenate figure in the film industry.

He has been a producer for notable films, such as 2011’s “Bernie,” starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey.

He’s also had success as a screenwriter and director, with “American Outlaws” as just the latest example.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS

Working with other alumni is just one way McEwen shows the connections, influence and inspiration he found on campus.

While back in Springfield, he also held workshops for theatre and dance students.

“Sean has been incredibly giving to our department and graduates over the past two decades,” said Dr. Kurt Heinlein, acting program coordinator and professor of theatre.

For the students, McEwen was an inspiration. Senior Krissa Hosto, for example, wants expertise in multiple fields.

“Sean led industry sessions on acting, writing, directing and producing,” Hosto said.

“Having access to these sides of the industry, as an acting student who wants to have passions alongside acting, made me feel encouraged.”

MSU OPENED A WORLD OF EXPERIENCES FOR HIM

Coming out of high school, McEwen knew he had an interest in the arts.

After hearing about Missouri State’s strong reputation in theatre, he set up an acting audition. He was awarded a performance scholarship.

A work study position in the theatre and dance department office helped him pay for living expenses beyond tuition.

“I didn’t have a lot of resources to go to school. Missouri State being a strong state school that allowed me to pursue an education was a blessing,” McEwen said.

“I had the opportunity to tap into other resources the school had outside of my discipline. I got to study religions of the world, biology, world history, American history. That was fascinating to me. It informed me as an artist.”

A film appreciation class was an especially formative experience.

McEwen took the class because it simply sounded fun — class credit for watching and discussing movies? What student wouldn’t be excited about that?

But in that class, he found a new understanding and appreciation for film.

It also led him to meeting a group of like-minded peers, and they started making their own small projects and short films outside of class.

“That was the foundation for me,” McEwen said.

For him, that teacher and that course were hugely significant.

Other favorites included a Shakespeare class taught by Dr. Tita Baumlin (a massive influence on his appreciation of literature), creative writing classes, the In-School Players program headed by Sharon Ellis — in which participants wrote their own stories to be shared in elementary schools — and a history course taught by a Polish professor with family history in surviving the Holocaust.

“The university was my first opportunity to get more plugged in to global awareness, and to professors and students who came from all over the world,” he said.

“I got to experience things I didn’t have access to before. That started to open up my understanding of different walks of life.’

MOVING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO BUILD HIS CAREER

After graduation, McEwen faced challenges on his way to breaking into the industry. He leaned on fellow alumni in the field.

“It’s that old saying: ‘The friends you make in college are the ones you keep for life.’ And you do — I speak to some of them daily, and they’re all in the business, in different capacities. We can share stories and help each other, which has been crucial.”

McEwen started his career in New York City, looking for acting gigs. He then moved to Los Angeles as his career shifted toward filmmaking.

After several years living in L.A., he and his wife, actress Tammin Sursok, made the move to Nashville with their two young daughters.

That’s where they are currently based.

USING HIS MISSOURI STATE ROOTS ON SET AND IN HIS PROJECTS

There are more projects in the works for McEwen this year.

Sursok — who has had a successful career in the acting industry, with roles on “Pretty Little Liars” and “Hannah Montana” — is from Australia.

They are currently developing a TV project together in Australia, and he has two other film projects happening there later this year.

Whether filmmaking carries him across the country or across the world, McEwen is proud to claim his roots.

“I’ve started to realize it’s about finding your voice as a filmmaker. And maybe that’s the one trick up my sleeve that makes me different. There are so many great filmmakers out there — way better than me. But I think what I have to offer that might be a little unique is my own background and perspective on things.”

That background includes the Ozarks and MSU.

“I had wonderful teachers who inspired, taught, influenced and gave me a foundation that I absolutely still utilize today,” McEwen said.

“I realize when I’m working with actors on set, as we achieve what we’re collectively trying to do, we tell these stories through that foundation I earned at Missouri State.”