ASHTABULA — A love of film that started in his teenage years has grown into a feature film directed by 2008 Lakeside High School grad Daniel Carberry.

Carberry has created music videos for artists for many years, but decided to challenge himself by creating a full length, 89-minute, science fiction film, and do so in his home town.

Carberry staged an invitation only screening for the move "Heavenly Wickedness" Saturday evening at J-PAL Cinemas at Ashtabula Towne Square.

He followed that up with a question and answer session at Riverbend Hotel.

Greater Cleveland Film Commission Project Coordinator Mike Wendt led the question and answer time, and lead actor Joey Bicicchi joined the event through the magic of ZOOM.

Carberry said he always wanted to make a feature film, but his time back in town during the coronavirus pandemic made him look deeper at the idea.

He said he put an outline together and began filming in 2023, and returned to Ashtabula in the winter the following fall to complete the filming necessary.

The project then took two years to edit, but was especially enjoyable for family and friends that attended because many were a part of the project in some way.

Luke Sawicki and his wife, Mary, were both extras in the film and their son, Thomas Sawicki was a co-producer.

Carberry's brother, Jeremy, was also music supervisor for the film.

Wendt said he had a long history with Daniel Carberry and his twin brother, Jonathan, who began sending him copies of their work while in high school.

Wendt said he was also able to walk them through the tax credit process prior to the making of the film.

"I thought it was a really well made film," he said prior to the question and answer session.

Luke Sawicki said it was fun to see so many different places in Ashtabula County viewed in the film, which included the main character who was either abducted by aliens, mentally ill, or both.

Lori Fazio, a family friend, said it was well done and suspenseful.

"We were on the edge of our seats. I kept forgetting to breath," she said.

During the question and answer portion of the program, Tom Sawicki told Bicicchi that he "nailed" the character.

Carberry said the challenge of making a full movie is much different than making a music video.

"I know how to make stuff look really cool ... but is different carrying along a story," he said.

Carberry said he started the filming with only an outline.

He said that is probably not the best way to make a full movie.

Bicicchi said he hopes the movie will be accepted into some of the international film festivals over the next months and years. The film team is also seeking financing to bring the movie to greater audiences, according to the website.

Bicicchi said it was great working with Carberry and urged anyone who is an actor to also experiment with directing.

He said it helps the actor understand what is going through the mind of the director.