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Alex J. Semchuck, assistant professor of communication at ������Ƶ Bloomington, was chosen to show a documentary film at the 2018 Great Lakes International Film Festival in Erie, Pa. The film will be streamed online during the virtual festival, which began Sept. 20.

Semchuck’s documentary film, The Slave Circle, explores a direct sales/marketing operation and its pyramid-shaped business model and questionable employee recruiting practices.“I felt compelled to produce The Slave Circle because the subject has affected so many people,” said Semchuck. “The business profiled in The Slave Circle advertises total financial freedom in just a few years—and for over 99 percent of the people who take the opportunity, it is a blatant lie. I am hoping that by seeing this film … people will be better-informed, be more cautious when accepting interviews and job offers from ambiguous companies, and be able to think critically if they ever find themselves involved in companies like this.”

The film trailer can be viewed online at  and the full film can be viewed online at  or on Amazon Prime Video.

Alex J. Semchuck is the writer, producer, director, and editor of two independent feature-length documentary films, “Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana,” released in 2014, and “The Slave Circle” in 2018. Semchuck produces his films and videos through his production company, Precision Independent Media (Precision Productions). At ������Ƶ, Semchuck instructs courses in mass communication, interpersonal communication, and public speaking.

The Great Lakes International Film Festival is owned by the Great Lakes Film Association, a 501c(3)  non-profit organization and is dedicated to showcasing independent films in the digital medium and to presenting the works of independent filmmakers and outstanding achievements in cinema.