Ask any filmmaker about their first feature film, and they will tell you the snags and flaws as well as any viewer. It's a miracle that any film is completed, especially one by a first-time filmmaker, and when it's well done and doesn't look like a first effort, they are to be applauded. Such is the case with Tracy J. Trost's Find Me, now available on DVD. Filmed on locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it's a good first-time effort and incorporates some unique story elements.

Synopsis
Conservative Senator Robert McIntosh is days away from casting his vote against a house bill preventing the posting of the Ten Commandments, or any other religious messages, in any public place. His last big speech against the bill is interrupted by an explosion and the kidnapping of his son, who is heir-apparent to his father's senate seat in the next election. The ransom of $20 million is just a cover-up for the real demand: change his vote.

Meanwhile college students Paul Jump and Neil Bartus sharpen their geo-caching skills by challenging each other to hunts they create.  One day Neil challenges Paul to what he says is the ultimate hunt. Jess Reagan, who made fun of the boys for their "Scavenger Hunting," decides to join their game. None of them know that this time their game will collide with clues left by the kidnappers and turn into a desperate and deadly search.

Politics and Geo-Caching
First-time writer/director Tracy J. Trost has a strong start on feature-film production. With a micro budget (under $50,000) and very few film professionals among his cast and crew he produces a movie that looks like it was done on a bigger budget.

He also created a fairly believable story that combines a bit of political intrigue with geo-caching, a fairly recent international treasure-hunting. While the display of the Ten Commandments and other religious materials has been hotly contested, especially in the South, it is a bit extreme that terrorists would try to take out a State Senator just to stop his vote. But this is the movies, so we can suspend our disbelief for that case.

Most of the time, the message was woven nicely into the film, but a few times the action stopped so the message could be delivered to someone who needed saving in a spiritual sense. Of course, this endangered the person who needed saving in a physical sense. The mini-messages were delivered well, but stopping the action to deliver them made the film a little longer than it needed to be.

Using the Bible and a GPS
Tyler Roberds, as treasure-hunter Paul Jump, and Fiawna Forte as his partner Jess Regan, have two of the meatier parts, and both do justice to their roles as college students caught up in a game they don't understand. And like college students who tend to think they're invincible, rather than run from the challenge, they run straight toward it, using Biblical knowledge and geo-caching skills to figure out the mystery.

The film could have been edited more tightly to have a shorter running time and eliminate some repetitive scenes, but overall Trost delivers an engaging and entertaining film.

Rating
Find Me does not have an MPAA rating, but I'd rate it PG to be on the safe side. There is some violence and a handful of scenes that might frighten younger children. Find Me is available on DVD.

Courtesy of the director, Angela screened a preview copy of Find Me.