FORMER Test prop Jason Stevens has begun shooting his first feature film, ‘Finally Me’.
The ex Sharks and Dragons star has delved into the competitive sport of cheerleading for his directorial debut, with the film expected to be at theatres later in the year.
“It’s very exciting but also challenging filming with COVID constraints,” Stevens told Wide World of Sports.
“I drew on my own experiences of football because I don’t know a lot about cheerleading but sport is sport – the buzz is the same.”
The star of the film, Jazz Laker played by Soula Mitsos, is a bigger girl of Greek heritage who dreams of making it to the top in the sport.
“I drew on my own experiences in the script,” Stevens said. “I came from Greek parentage and was a big guy who had plenty of people telling me I was too bulky to make it in footy.
“In a way, I was Soula and I know what she went through – it’s hard when people keep saying you won’t make it.
“But against the odds she makes a real go of it and it’s quite an inspiration story.
“Her father wants her to take over the family souvlaki shop but she has bigger dreams.”
The movie is set in the 1990s – when Stevens was making a name for himself in football.
“Much of what is in the film was taken from real experiences that I went through,” he said.
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