The independent film “An Ordinary Family” was screened on April 4 in the WTAMU Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall.

“An Ordinary Family” is the story of a family’s vacation and the craziness that occurs when one of the brothers arrives with a boyfriend in tow. The drama contained equal parts humor and seriousness with many real-life applications. During the question-and-answer session that took place after the film, main actor Chad Miller explained that the film was mostly impromptu. Though the director and actors had a general idea of where they wanted the film to end up, it was mostly unscripted.

“We shot so many improv shots we didn’t actually know how it would be,” said Miller. But it turned out great!”Members of the question-and-answer panel included WT Professor of Social Work Dr. Mo Cuevas, senior Broadcasting-Electronic Media major Tyler Sweeney and WT Wesley Foundation Director and WT alum Mikey Littau. The panel was hosted by Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Butler Cain.

Miller said that the purpose of the movie was just to encourage people to keep talking.

“You don’t have to agree,” he said. “We just want people to sit down and start conversations.”

Topics discussed in the Q&A session varied. Miller brought his personal knowledge of the movie, Dr. Cuevas brought her knowledge of the social implications of the film, Sweeney brought his perspective as an award-winning documentary producer, and Littau brought his understanding of how religious families and gay couples co-exist.

All panel members agreed that the film was very real to life. Dr. Cuevas expanded on the importance of communication in all relationships, not just between homosexuals and their families.

“I think it was a wonderful portrayal of how families handle these situations,” said Cuevas. “What struck me about the movie is that they were all talking. They all kept talking.”

Littau also agreed that communication is key in keeping families together.

“We have to find a way to have conversations with people without passing judgment,” he said.

The screening of “An Ordinary Family” was made possible by the WT Event Planning class.

Event Coordinator Katherine Wilson explained that the class had been given three weeks to put the event together, which they accomplished by splitting up into groups and dividing responsibilities. The class agreed that the biggest challenge was in advertising the event.

“It was a diverse group [that attended] and a full house,” Wilson said.

Freshman Sports and Exercise major Sandy Mojica said she liked the film.

“I enjoyed the movie because it had humor and it was produced well,” she said.