For graduate student Mike Fleg, this summer will be filled with a constant workload of casting, rewriting and filming as he directs his first full-length feature film – but he doesn’t expect to earn a penny from it.

Fleg, who is a master’s candidate in public policy, is casting roles on the campus for Meter Maids, his first feature film. The film is about the absurd life of parking ticket writers, and Fleg will be shooting scenes locally starting next month. But Fleg has decided on an unusual path for the film’s financial future, considering independent films such as his rarely generate the profits of large-scale productions. Stemming from his motivation to help children, Fleg decided early on that proceeds from theater screenings and DVD sales will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.”Every cent, no matter what we make, will go towards the charity,” Fleg said.

The film is a comedy about a meter maid whose life isn’t going well. Losing his job and needing to help a sick relative pay for medical bills, he is forced to participate in the Meter Maid Olympics – which employ gags such as parking meters used for a javelin event – in order to gain his life back..Auditions were held at the Stamp Student Union Sunday for the film, which is slated to open in the fall.Sporting a worn-out bandana, ruffled hair and a ragged shirt, Dave Cooperman of Rockville tried out for the part of a homeless man in order to help with the charity.”It’s really not about the money,” Cooperman said. “It’s great that these guys are making a film for a good cause and not just to make money.”Others who have actually battled with cancer in the past are trying out for parts in the film to help with the charitable cause and increase awareness.

“I fought with cancer a few years ago, and I have a deep passion for the subject,” said Asia Newkirk of Baltimore. “I think what these guys are doing will help greatly help out the cancer community.”

Fleg, who also created the www.thatbecrazy.com website, has worked with disabled children every summer for 10 years and said he picked Ronald McDonald House because of its work helping ease the lives of children stricken with cancer.Fleg is also inviting children from the organization to come to the movie set and letting a few of them have cameo roles in the film.”The roles in the film aren’t just for the people auditioning,” Fleg said. “The children that will get to star in the film will be really happy and have a good time as well.”Kimelia Weathers, a university alumna who tried out for the anchorwoman role, said the film is a good way to bring attention to cancer awareness.

“There are so many people that make movies just to make money,” said Weathers, who lost an aunt to cancer a few years ago. “The fact that they are making the film strictly for a good cause is just great.”Fleg said he plans on bringing the film to the campus to bring more awareness about the charities to students once the film is finished.”A lot of our press will be about the charity so people will gain knowledge about it,” Fleg said. “We plan to have a screening at Hoff Theater to increase exposure to students as well.”

Despite the outcome of the film, Fleg said the most important thing will be to make people laugh.”It’s a film that makes people happy, and the kids will find it hilarious,” Fleg said. “If we don’t make much money from the film, at the very least it will make their day and make them feel a whole lot better.”

A trailer for the film will be available May 30 on www.movieforcancer.com, Fleg said.

Contact reporter Jeremy Tam at newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu.