After Steven Spielberg saw this student film, he recruited writer-director Kevin Reynolds to direct a full-length movie based on it. That movie became Fandango (1985)
Marvin J. McIntire played Truman Sparks both here and in the remake Fandango.
The low altitude reserve parachute deployment was achieved using an AAD (Automatic Activation Device - Called an AOD, Automatic Opening Device at the time). It took a number of attempts to get the desired effect, the parachute deploying too high on several occasions, and deploying too low on others. A dummy was used for the drops.
The aircraft used on the dummy drops was a 1968 Cessna U-206 Stationair, Registration Number N29173. It was owned and operated by the California City Parachute Club, which operated out of the California City airport.