‘Scorpiation’ stars receive red-carpet welcome at short film’s world premiere in St. George

Written by Jeff Richards
February 25, 2023

ST. GEORGE — “Scorpiation,” a short film starring Alex Lowery, held its world premiere last weekend, as an estimated crowd of more than 200 people packed the Electric Theater in downtown St. George.

Fans gather for the premiere showing of “Scorpiation” at the Electric Theater in downtown St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

Lowery received a celebrity’s welcome as he was dropped off in front of the theater and strode along the red carpet while surrounded by dozens of cheering spectators.

As previously reported, the project was spearheaded by Figmentation Foundation, a local nonproft organization that helps children “burdened by a life threatening trauma through illness, injury, or event to re-awaken their innocence and childhood wonderment.”

Lowery, who turned 13 in mid-January, was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10. 

As the star of “Scorpiation,” Lowery portrays the titular hero who gains superpowers after falling into a tank of synthetic scorpion venom, which he then uses to help fight crime.

The 22-minute short film stars Alex Lowery, his older brother Logan, younger sister MaKayla, their parents Nate and Callie Lowery, and Alex’s best friend Bryce Fortune. It was filmed at locations in Hurricane and St. George last July. 

Directed by Colin Cunningham, the short film has all the makings of a comic book story, including a secret underground lair, a gang of bank robbers, a menacing biker gang, martial arts fighting and some electric special effects.

Alex Lowery and immediate family members, all of whom also appeared in the short film “Scorpiation,” pose in front of Electric Theater in downtown St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

All of the film’s cast members were in attendance at the Electric Theater last Friday, along with the film crew members and others who had volunteered their time and talents, working countless hours behind the scenes.

Jeremy Bird and her daughter Jaque Ence, co-founders of the foundation, each spoke at last Friday’s gala event, which also served as a fundraiser.

Bird spoke of how imaginative play is an essential part of early childhood development and the learning process.

“In play, children are developing their curiosity, problem solving, intentionality, spontaneity, flexibility, and the list goes on and on,” Bird told the audience before the film was shown. “They’re developing their emotional intelligence, learning, confidence, cooperation, negotiation. They’re learning to share, (have) tolerance, how to communicate appropriately. But most importantly, they’re learning empathy and compassion. So it’s not just playing, it’s their essential skills for life.”

Bird, who is an experienced professional costume designer, said she created the white-and-gold Scorpiation outfit based on Alex’s own design. 

“Getting to play the role of hero is what Figmentation does and how it works,” Bird explained. “And the only way I personally know how to do that is through a costume. Figmentation custom-makes a costume the child designs, portraying the unique hero in their creative story.”

Added Bird:

The costume is the portal to the lost innocence. The costume is how we help them find their way back. When a child wears a costume, they become uninhibited. They metamorphose into an imaginative super being, helping them to see they can be anything they set their mind to, restoring and giving back some of the childhood they lost through trauma. They are not their trauma. It’s something that happened to them, yes, but it doesn’t have to define them. 

After the film was shown, the audience members cheered and gave a rousing round of applause as Alex stood up and waved in acknowledgment. 

Alex Lowery makes his way to his front-row seat at the premiere showing of the short film “Scorpiation,” St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

Alex then went backstage to put on his Scorpion costume while a short behind-the-scenes documentary was shown. Ence then talked a little more about the science behind costumes. 

“What you’re wearing affects your subconscious,” she said. “So what happens with a costume is similar to what happens with a uniform, for example. Your brain automatically tries to match what you’re wearing.”

Ence said researchers have found that when people are wearing a superhero shirt, they report themselves as feeling stronger and more confident.

During the short documentary film, Alex’s mother Callie Lowery explains what it was like to first learn that her son had diabetes during a visit to the pediatrician.

“His blood sugar that day was 416,” she recounted. “That is one blood sugar number in this mom’s mind that I will never forget. They instantly told us he needed to go to the emergency room.”

Alex Lowery wearing his “Scorpiation” costume at the short film’s premiere, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

Callie Lowery also talked about the ups and downs the family has gone through since that day.

“It’s never going to be fun,” she said. “It’s a lifetime diagnosis. It’s not going away. It just is what it is for our whole family. It was life-changing. Over time, it has become our normal. It is our normal everyday life; it is just what we do. We have a son that is a Type 1 diabetic.”

At the conclusion of the evening, Ence and Bird handed out a number of “Superhero Sidekick” awards to various key people who had donated their time, talents and resources toward making the project happen. Dozens of local sponsors also made generous monetary contributions.

Although the one-minute Scorpiation trailer is already on the Figmentation Foundation’s YouTube channel, the full film and the documentary have not yet been posted but soon will be, Ence said.

The foundation is currently working on raising funds for their next recipient to have their story made into a short film. For more information or to make a donation, visit Figmentation Foundation’s website.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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