ABOVE PHOTO: A storm trooper being filmed during “The Legend of Lex Zander,” a Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota film that includes animation made by UW-Stout students. Photo courtesy Kari Jo Skogquist
Ten University of Wisconsin-Stout students, as part of their field experiences last summer, are helping make a Minnesota teen’s wish come true.
The students helped animate a portion of a “Star Wars” fan film “The Legend of Lex Zander” starring Alexander Knutson, 14, and his family.
Knutson, of Lino Lakes, was diagnosed with leukemia at age eight and was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota. His wish was to play a character of a Star Wars fan film. The Star Wars fan also helped write the film with producer and scriptwriter Troy LaFaye of West St. Paul.
Alexander Knutson, center, made the wish to be part of a Star Wars-themed movie. Photo courtesy Kari Jo Skogquist 
One of the logos for the film. Courtesy Maxwell Kilsdonk 
A ship during the film animation created by UW-Stout student Zachary Johnson.
Sami Reid, who graduated in August with a degree in entertainment design animation, was the director of animation for the project and is still working to finish up some of the animation for the short film, which is expected to premiere in January. The cooperative internship through Career Services ran from June through the end of August.
The animation is part of a flashback during the short film.
