By Anne Halliwell

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The first feature-length film written, directed and produced by two UK brothers will be screened in Worsham Theater at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Zak and Ben Norton, who have pursued filmmaking throughout their time at UK, completed the film, “LOOFO,”  despite the lack of an official film department and limited time and budget.

Zak Norton, a senior double majoring in kinesthesiology and topical studies: film, TV and digital media, called the film a dark comedy in which the title character undergoes a coming-of-age arc.

Ben Norton, a senior studying music, spanish and topical studies: film, TV and digital media, added that it incorporates messages about the contemporary world and the government, as well as the public’s relationship with technology.

“The film does not fit into any genre, and we like that,” Ben Norton said.

The brothers have been filming together for six years, Zak Norton said.

“When we were in high school, we got into making really goofy films with our friends and it just kind of grew from there,” Ben Norton said.

Since then, the pair has worked on many short films and have won WRD and Oswald awards, Ben Norton said.

That experience with short films came in handy when imagining how to draw the audience into the story quickly, Zak Norton said.

Zak Norton is the main videographer for the UK Theatre Department and is commissioned to film promotional videos for the mainstage productions. He said he used those connections, forged in onstage and backstage work, to select actors for the film.

Zak Norton drafted a script for the movie two years ago in a screenwriting course. Over the summer, the script was revised and readied for production during the school year, keeping a decided lack of budget in mind.

Through his connections to the theatre department, Zak Norton was able to keep certain actors in mind for the roles, most of whom agreed to come on board, he said. Notably, visiting faculty member Peter Allen Stone from the department of theatre agreed to play a role after working with Zak Norton in the past in a mentoring capacity.

“He’s taught me so much about the film world and acting world, especially out of college,” Zak Norton said.

Although the script was finalized by early August, the time through October was spent in pre-production mainly executed by Zak, Ben Norton said. This involved contacting actors, finalizing filming locations and obtaining props.

Zak Norton added that about 90 percent of the piece was filmed in Lexington, with one scene set in Whitehall Classroom Building. Other free locations were used, such as friends’ and parents’ homes.

Filming took most of the school year due to budget constraints and the availability of the volunteer actors.

The brothers edited the footage as the movie progressed in order to finish it soon after shooting wrapped in early April.

Another side effect of the budget deficit forced Ben Norton to compose all of the music in the film, instead of paying for song rights.

Zak Norton kept songs and genres in mind for scenes and sketched out ideas for Ben Norton, who came up with songs to fit similarly, Zak said.

“It’s incredible how each song is so different and draws from different styles and genres of music,” Zak Norton said.

The film draws from many different ideas, Ben Norton said, some of which are intended to disconcert viewers and make them consider complex issues.

“We are given lots of responsibilities in life,” Zak Norton said. “I think it is important for us to be cognizant about… and care about the issues at hand.”