PREMIERES

August 21, 2008 - Micon Cinemas, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

THE STORY

When Joe Zopp's out-of-touch parents squander the proceeds of his finest invention, he skips town, vowing never to return. Seven years later, while leading a life of anonymity, Zopp runs into an old classmate who tells him that everyone back in his hometown thinks he's dead, forcing him to return to unravel the mystery of his own death.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Rating: This picture is not rated by the MPAA.
Run Time: 110 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Original Format: High Definition 1080i50
Camera: Sony HVR-Z1U
Color: Color
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Budget: Less than the price of a used Corolla.

ON LOCATION

Zopp was shot on location in Chippewa Falls, Wis., from July 31, 2006 to September 3, 2006. Additional shooting took place in Eau Claire, Wis., Chicago, Ill., and Toledo, Ohio.

iLLEGAL USE OF WHAT?

The title for Wut Wut Alma’s debut feature, Illegal Use of Joe Zopp, derives from a high school fling, a messy breakup and a case of forgotten identity involving one of our seven members.

In the winter of his senior year of high school -- while he was stickin' jump shots and takin' phone numbers -- the young man who would become Wut Wut Alma’s Vice President of Physics and Dry Humor captured the admiring eye of a young lady from a neighboring town. It didn't take long for the two to spark a two-week relationship that would end anticlimactically with an awkward hug, then a bow and a curtsy, under the creepy gaze of a clown-faced gumball machine.

Several years later, in a chance conversation with Emery (VP of Media Relations and Celebrity Look-Alikes), the young lady attempted to explain the identity of her former flame. She described how her ex had gone to Chippewa Falls High School (Class of '98), starring as a shooting guard on the hoops team. He had, as she recalled, a law-enforcing father, affectionately known in the community as “Officer Friendly.” The lanky virtuoso’s name, she said, was Joe Zopp.

Emery was flustered, flummoxed, befuddled, and, frankly, quite agitated. Who was this young lady talking about? He was certain he'd never heard of a Joe Zopp, let alone one that played basketball and was the son of Officer Friendly.

It took a moment, but Emery figured it out. The young lady's former beau was Joe Ott.

“No,” she said, chomping bubble gum. “It was Joe Zopp.”

After a delicate talking down, with Emery explaining how he was Joe's personal friend, the young lady conceded. And all ended quite well. Shortly thereafter, the young lady became the fiancé of Emery’s step-brother, Pete. Joe, meahwhile, was forever known among his contemporaries as Zopp.

Later, as names for the characters in our picture were being tossed about, one of us suggested Zopp. We all rallied around this idea because it's a great name and because, certainly, two Zopps are better than none.

Wut Wut Alma owes this string of events for providing us with a name for our lead, the title for our movie, and the only regular nickname of a member of Wut Wut Alma. Of course, we owe an incredible debt of gratitude to a certain young lady as well. Thank you, Kim Hawkes.