“The Cobblestone Corridor,” a new half-hour mystery from Connecticut filmmaker Erik Bloomquist, will premiere on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) on Thursday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. (with an encore presentation airing at 11 p.m.). Shot at the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford, “The Cobblestone Corridor” is a modern day, tongue-in-cheek film noir. It tells the tale of Allan Archer (played by Bloomquist), who, as the editor-in-chief of the newspaper club at fictional Alfred Pierce Preparatory School, investigates the suspicious termination of English department chairman Dr. Peter Carroll. The film mixes contemporary themes with film noir aesthetics of the 40s and 50s as the student body gets involved with the case and the intrigue builds.
“Playing with the genre’s language and iconic imagery ‒ and reimagining them for a modern setting and characters ‒ has been a thrill and a joy for the production team,” said Bloomquist. “Our movie is done with a knowing wink, but for the characters, everything is a very real case of life and death. We believe that their commitment to the truth of this world is what makes the film so fun and ultimately thought-provoking.”
“We’re pleased to present the television broadcast premiere of ‘The Cobblestone Corridor’ on CPTV,” said Carol Sisco, vice president and executive director of television programming and acquisitions for the CPTV networks. “It offers the kind of spine-tingling – but fun – mystery that we know our audiences enjoy, and features scenic locations some viewers might recognize, as it was filmed right here in Connecticut. Best of all, it allows us to showcase local talent such as Erik, who wrote, directed and stars in the film.”
CPTV to Premiere “The Cobblestone Corridor” on Saturday, July 18
As an actor, Bloomquist has appeared in a variety of independent films, industrials, commercials and television shows, most recently The Mystery of Matter for PBS, which will be airing in August on CPTV, and Secrets of the Arsenal for the American Heroes Channel. Theatrically, he has performed with dozens of regional, touring and educational companies in the Northeast, including Hartford Stage (Hamlet, Ether Dome, A Christmas Carol), Ivoryton Playhouse (Calendar Girls –U.S. premiere, Memphis, La Cage Aux Folles), Capital Classics, Connecticut Opera, Legacy Theatre and Connecticut Cabaret Theatre. He has also directed, musical directed and choreographed several plays and musicals in New England, including prolific productions of Carrie the Musical, Rent, Into the Woods, and Zanna Don’t!
Behind the camera, Bloomquist has the distinction of being a Top 200 Director on HBO’s Project Greenlight, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. In addition to the ”Cobblestone Corridor,” his current projects include Ghost Tour, being filmed at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, and Founders Day, a murder mystery feature in development. Bloomquist has worked as an Artist-in-Residence and instructor at private schools and acting programs throughout the Northeast. He graduated cum laude from Trinity College with a B.A. in Theatre and Dance and is an alumnus of the London Dramatic Academy in London, England.
About Connecticut Public Broadcasting
The Connecticut Public is home to CPTV, WNPR and the Learning Lab. CPTV is a locally and nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming, including original documentaries, public affairs and educational programming. WNPR is an affiliate of National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. The Learning Lab serves high school seniors through a partnership with Hartford Public Schools and the Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School. It is also home to the Institute for Advanced Media, a program that provides the men and women of our armed forces and adult learners an opportunity to learn skills necessary for the 21st century digital media workplace. For more information, visit cpbn.org.