Spencer-Born Actor Stars in Video Game-Inspired Short Film and Wins “Spirit of Comic Con” Award

Spencer-Born Actor Stars in Video Game-Inspired Short Film and Wins “Spirit of Comic Con” Award at Wizard World
 
SPENCER, Iowa - Jan. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest Iowa native Kevin Oestenstad stars as the villain in the “Spirit of Comic Con” award winning short film Splinter Cell - Extraction, directed by Jason Satterlund.

"I'm so grateful I was asked to be a part of this project, and bummed I wasn't asked to shoot the fight scene with my shirt off," Oestenstad jokes. "My involvement resulted after a series of crossings between Jason's path and mine through auditions, online communications, and face-to-face meetings," Oestenstad remembers. "During one of Jason's visits to LA, we drank coffee and talked Star Wars, this time alongside my future Splinter Cell co-star, Aris Juson, and from there we hit the ground running."

"Speaking of running, it was so fun to dig into such a physical role as this one, even though I had to keep my shirt on during the fight scene. From childhood into college, I was involved with organized athletics, and it's been a true joy to connect my passion for acting with similar physical challenges." Oestenstad goes on to say, "Portraying such violent characters holds it's challenges, though. I enjoy living a pretty peaceful, loving life; I've never even punched a dude in the face in real life. A lot of fake, pretend dudes, but no real dudes. And I hope I never have to. I'll just stick to honoring the age-old tradition of storytelling and allowing the deepest truths to surface while embodying characters of all kinds...good guys, bad guys, cowboys, and sometimes the occasional stripper."

Oestenstad was invited to join the Splinter Cell team by Satterlund. He enjoys crafting dynamic action stories, and created this homage to Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell books and video games with Juson. "Aris and I knew Kevin would be an asset to this production. He is one of the most intense actors I have ever worked with. His focus is unmatched. Kevin isn't afraid to push himself out of his own comfort zone for the sake of telling a great story," Satterlund said.

"I know, without a doubt, that Kevin Oestenstad will be a household name someday. He is just that good. He pushed himself, and the other actors, to make our film the best it could be. Winning an award at Wizard World Portland Comic Con is an honor we never expected. Once we saw the competition's work, we knew we'd be lucky to even place. When we heard the announcement, we were completely floored," Satterlund admits.

"The challenges in the filmmaking process come in all shapes and sizes. When a collective of artists gathers, what results is hopefully enjoyed by audiences and colleagues who share similar passions. And when that receives an award embodying "spirit," it's just the cherry on the proverbial top," Oestenstad observes.

Watch Splinter Cell - Extraction at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCIGbR7ZgnA.



The Wizard World Film Festival judges  found the project to be "a very professional action piece. Something  right out of modern movies. These filmmakers have studied their craft  and apply it here very well," Jeff Wexler,  the Film Festival Coordinator for Wizard World reports. "The Spirit of  Comic Con is awarded to films that truly capture the essence of Comic  Con, and is typically the Wizard World staff favorite. The combination  of over-the-top action, irreverent humor and incredible production  quality made Splinter Cell - Extraction a perfect pick for the Spirit of Comic Con award."

Wizard World Comic Con is a traveling festival, with 15 more Wizard Cons taking place in 2014. Oestenstad’s film will screen at each festival. To see Splinter Cell - Extraction on the big screen, visit Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con May 2-4, 2014. Check www.wizardworldfilmfestival.com for show times.

About Kevin Oestenstad:

Kevin Oestenstad was born in Spencer, Iowa, and now lives in Los Angeles. His acting credits in film and TV include Fox Searchlight's My Name is Khan and NBC's Are You There, Chelsea. He sold his first screenplay with co-writer and loved friend Joe Burke in February 2013. Oestenstad, who is represented by APA and ESA, wrote, directed, and starred in the five minute Western, Made Bed alongside his father and best friends.

About Jason Satterlund:

Owner of Big Puddle Films, a full service production studio, Satterlund has been directing films for over 25 years, traveling the world filming underwater sea life in the tropics, high-end political candidates in the United States and Russia, street children in third world countries, and top country music artists in Nashville, Tenn. Satterlund’s client list  includes: Warner Brothers, The National Republican Party, George H.W. Bush, Kid Rock, Bon Jovi, Jack White, Don Knotts, CNN, YMCA, The Oak  Ridge Boys, Word Records, Hallmark Entertainment, and the country of  Jordan. He currently resides in Portland, Ore.

Additional information is available at: http://www.bigpuddlefilms.com/

About Aris Juson:

Aris Juson is an actor, producer, stunt coordinator, stunt performer, and the co-content creator of the YouTube channel Hot Glass Creative with  Jason Satterlund and Levy Moroshan. He is known for Splinter Cell - Extraction, The Record Keeper, Counter Measure, Leverage (on TNT) and Grimm  (NBC), as well as numerous commercials, print ads, and independent  films and projects. He has excelled in athletics his whole life, and is  passionate about combining his physical skills with his creative talents  on screen. Juson parlays his love of all things geek and nerd related,  and vast knowledge of new media, into opportunities to connect with and entertain people.

Juson was born in Cavite, Philippines, and now lives in Beaverton, Ore.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

Dates and locations for the 2014 Wizard World Film Festivals can be found at www.wizardworldfilmfestival.com.

Contact
Michaele Lawrence
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