Lights . camera . Bring Me Men

By Butch Wehry
Academy Spirit staff


Col. Beverly Plosa-Bower, Class of '80, informed the
media that she feels the story of the first female
cadets to arrive at the Academy needs telling.
"People need to understand how we got to where we
are today," she said.

An announcement was made Monday near the cadet chapel about the upcoming movie Bring Me Men, a film by independent production company SummitWorks LLC, which was green lighted by the Pentagon about the saga of the Academy's first female cadets.

"The Academy has been coordinating with the company, the Air Force and Department of Defense for about a year to get the script approved," said Academy spokesman Meade Warthen. "We look forward to working with the company as the film is shot on location here at the Academy and we are optimistic that it will show the Academy as a premier institution of higher learning that produces officers of character serving America in the world's greatest Air Force."

Riding on the coat tails of bringing an estimated $5 million to the state economy, there was no shortage of hope and praise at the briefings.

"Bring Me Men will chronicle the ordeals and triumphs of young Americans who voluntarily undergo the most rigorous challenges of military training, academic education, athletic competition and character development in the world's greatest Air Force," wrote Lt. Gen. John Regni, Academy superintendent, in a statement.

Work on the project began more than five years ago by writer Ms. Linda Morris and producer Mr. Frank Johnson.

The producer said the film will feature hostility women faced from some males. Interviews with cadets of 1976 did not yield any physical sexual abuse.

"We did not shy away from the difficulties these women had to get through," said Mr. Johnson. "Women hadn't been allowed to apply before. It's about perseverance and setting sights on a dream and hanging on to the dream with all your heart."

Filming will start on the Academy in the spring and summer of 2008. The 1976 to 1980 story is the first motion picture to be approved by the Pentagon for filming at the Academy.

A motion picture official said Bring Me Men vividly tells the compelling story of the first female cadets who entered the Academy in 1976, proving they could beat the odds. Many of the first women cadets have excelled in military and space careers following their 1980 graduation.

SummitWorks began formulating the concept for the film more than five years ago when Charles Morrison, co-producer of the film, wrote the story and teamed up with Touched by an Angel producer - director Mr. Johnson. In the past two years, they have worked closely with numerous officers at the Hollywood Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office, the Academy and Department of Defense.

"The state of Colorado is proud to serve as host to the United States Air Force Academy," said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. "We are glad that SummitWorks will be telling the inspiring story of the men and women who succeed in one of the most challenging academies and physical environments before going on to lead the Air Force in service to our nation."

"It is an honor that the Air Force, the Assistant Secretary of Defense and the Academy are enthusiastic to bring this great story to the screen," a press release from SummitWorks said. "We look forward to working with the Air Force Academy, Mayor Lionel Rivera, the residents of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Film Commission during this production."

Ms. Karen Selva, Class of '80, told reporters "it doesn't matter if you're male or female, you were just trying to survive."

Col. Beverly Plosa-Bowser, also Class of '80, believes the story needs telling. "I was naive when I walked in, but willing to accept the challenge," she said. "People need to understand how we got to where we are today."