Students in their 20s are reliving childhood years and fulfilling class requirements.

Telecommunications students Zack Goulet, a senior from Canton, Rachel Kohl, a senior from Lawrenceville, Ashley Kruythoff, a senior from Marietta and others in the Advanced Production class were assigned to make a short action film.

The film, entitled “Level 84,” is premised on a modern-day take of the Mario saves the princess scenario. Fans of the Super Mario Brothers video game will understand the subtle hints towards the popular Nintendo classic. Goulet, the director, said those who are unfamiliar with the Super Mario Brothers can enjoy it too.

Goulet was the mastermind behind the story, but he initially didn’t believe it would work. He said he wants the film style to be “dirty, gritty, and have elements of both ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan.’”

“Every action film has some cheese at the heart of it, but we are trying to make it not so cheesy,” he said.

In the film, there will be special effects, including fire and gunshots. When asked about the length of the film, all three crew members laughed, and said it was supposed to be seven to eight minutes long but the script turned out to be between 12 and 15 minutes. The exact length will not be known until the final cut is made, the group members said.

These students are participating in the production of this film not only as a class project but also for personal reasons. Kruythoff, the film’s producer, explained working on this film is “more than a project and is more like a personal endeavor, because this is what we want to do with the rest of our lives.”

The biggest challenge for the cast and crew will be scheduling, but after the production is complete the group hopes to enter the film in a competition.