From the producers of “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Weight Loss” comes a new series for broadcast television.
Casting is underway for a new major network is competition TV series. This series will feature the transformation of divorced couples reuniting for a chance to win a large trust fund for their children.
The series takes a positive approach to bringing divorced couples back together to compete in various physical and mental challenges. Set in a tropical location, the couples must learn to co-exist and put their issues aside, working together to take on challenges for the one thing they still agree upon – the love of their kids.
The prize for the winning couple/divorced parent team is a 6-figure trust fund for their child and/or children.
“Our goal is that through this experience, couples will learn to better communicate with each other, in turn becoming better co-parents and improving their family dynamic.”
FILMING DATES: NOV. 2- DEC 13TH (if you make it to the end)
A crew call is officially out for the Nicholas Sparks adaptation, The Choice.
The Nicholas Sparks feature, The Choice, is now accepting crew resumes. Send your resumes to: TheChoiceProduction@mail.com with your position in the subject line. Production is slated to begin October 13th. This project will shoot in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.
Along with Nicholas Sparks, it looks like Theresa Park and Peter Safran will be producing. Welcome back to both! Peter was here not long ago producing The Conjuring. Theresa didn’t have too much time in between shows as she was just here working on the other Sparks movie, The Longest Ride. Same goes for Mark Garner who has been named Production Designer yet again. Congrats!
The UPM is our fabulous local guy Chris Bromley, who we all know and love. Behind the scenes, he’s actually been working on The Choice for months now. Before this Sparks flick, he was the UPM for the TV pilot Red Zone, and the Wilmywood shot Tammy and The Conjuring.
Directing is Ross Katz. Ross is a Oscar and Emmy nominated director/producer. He won the DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Mini-Series for Taking Chance (2009). This will be his first gig in Wilmywood.
Production is set to begin October 13th and will have a 30 day run.
THE CHOICE – Lionsgate/Safran Company
STATUS: Pre-production
LOCATION: Wilmington, NC
PRODUCER: Nicholas Sparks, Peter Safran, Theresa Park
UPM: Chris Bromley
WRITER: Bryan Sipe (screenwriter)
DIRECTOR: Ross Katz
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Mark Garner
CAST: TBA
CREW RESUMES TO: TheChoiceProduction@mail.com
Two neighbors, Travis Parker and Gabby Holland, become more than just friends in a small coastal town in North Carolina.
Local leaders urge Governor to call special session for film incentives
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Today, elected leaders from New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington sent a letter to Governor Pat McCrory, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Thom Tillis, with a collective voice urging the Governor to call a special session of the General Assembly to reconsider film incentives.
The economic vitality of business and film was identified as one of the County’s three legislative agenda items earlier this year and at an August 26th joint meeting of the New Hanover County Commission and the City of Wilmington Council, support for the film industry was again identified as a top priority. The elected leaders urged reconsideration of film incentives and support of an existing industry as a key economic driver for our region and state.
“The time is now for our elected leaders in Raleigh to act. Saving the film industry is vital to our state and region. If they do nothing these jobs will evaporate.” said New Hanover County Chairman Woody White.
The State’s $21.25 billion budget plan, unveiled last month, allocates $10 million for a film incentive grant program, a significant reduction from the current package that allows productions that spend at least $250,000 in the state to claim 25 percent of their qualifying expenses up to $20 million.
My sources are telling me that crew members were already told that Cinemax’s Banshee would not return to Charlotte, North Carolina for the next two seasons. Now today, other sources have confirmed that and new information is coming our way, saying they will relocate to Louisiana for Season 4 & 5. I am hearing Baton Rouge. I was also told there was another show that they planned on shooting in between seasons and that will be moving to Louisiana as well. These last two notes, however, have yet to be confirmed. I will keep you posted.
In 2013, Banshee spent more than $67 million in North Carolina.
What? Did you think the folks from the film industry were exaggerating when they said productions would leave without the current incentives in place?
Mornin’ Sunshine! Happy Humpday. Not too much going on today, but we do have a few things noteworthy.
The Emmys kicked everyone in the tail. Under the Dome did decent enough, but showed lower numbers with a 1.4 A18-49, 6.59M viewers.
ABC’s Secrets & Lies is in Porter’s Neck today and Sleepy Hollow is at the sound stages today.
HBO has been scouting North Carolina, among other states for their mini series Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency (adaptation of the book by Washington Post investigative reporter Barton Gellman published in 2008). Some sources say they have made their decision and are shooting in New York and North Carolina, however, other sources say they have not locked in NC as a location. At least not yet anyway. Wherever they shoot, they will need to make a decision soon as production is supposed to start in October. The Line Producer is Louise Rosner. David Frankel is directing. More on this project from The Hollywood Reporter. READ NOW
FILM INCENTIVE UPDATE: The Port City Daily reports, “City of Wilmington and New Hanover County officials are formally asking Gov. Pat McCrory to reconvene the North Carolina General Assembly to resolve the issue of the state’s film credit.” READ MORE AT PORT CITY DAILY
That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!
The Disappointments Room starring Kate Beckinsale (Dana) has added another cast member to the supernatual flick. British actor Mel Raido (The Informers, Legend) will be playing Beckinsale’s husband, David. No word yet who will be playing their 5 year old son, Lucas.
The Relativity production has met all their crew needs. So, now we move on to more casting.
Congrats to Phil Newsome from Altair Casting who landed the extras casting gig. He is out of Winston-Salem and is already looking for a few folks.
Altair Casting is accepting headhots/photos for extra work in the Greensboro area. Send to your name, photo and sizes to: TDR.EXTRAS@gmail.com.
Altair Casting is also looking for two Stand-Ins:
(1) Male…early to mid 20’s/blonde hair/blue eyes/5’10″/150 lbs.
(2) Over 18 year old Female to stand-in for male child…short (45 inches…4′ and under) blonde hair/brown eyes/fair to olive complexion.
Production will run September 8th through October 24th.
The Disappointments Room is a supernatural thriller, inspired by real events, about a mother who moves her family out to the country. The poor mother’s sanity begins slipping as she learns about the house’s bloody past and is afflicted by visions of a dead girl.
THE DISAPPOINTMENTS ROOM (Relativity Media)
STATUS: Pre-production
LOCATION: Greensboro, NC
WRITER: Wentworth Miller
DIRECTOR: D.J. Caruso
LP: Patrick Peach, Tony Grazia
CAST: Kate Beckinsale, Mel Raido
CREW RESUMES TO: drprodoffice@gmail.com
“A supernatural thriller in which a mother moves her family out to the country, but the poor mother’s sanity begins slipping as she learns about the house’s bloody past and is afflicted by visions of a dead girl.”
Saturday’s event had a nice turn out regardless of the looming storm approaching. Special thanks go out to Andrew Sleet who got this whole ball rolling as well as Courtney and Dani McKeon, Emmy Young, Kim Stewart, Bryan Kupko, Brownie Harris and all of those who showed up! Special thanks to Charles and Jonathan at WGSR for this package they put together above. And thanks for letting me do the VO. First time being an “official” reporter! Ha! Well done, Shaun O’Rourke, Mayor Saffo, Chris Bromley and Brownie Harris during their interviews.
Sleepy Hollow will be at Bellevue Cemetery this afternoon.
Secrets and Lies will be in Rocky Point, then head to the sound stages.
Michael Rooker, who stars in the #1 Summer Blockbuster, Guardians of the Galaxy, talks to the folks at Collider.com about his role in our upcoming biopic, Bolden.
“I play a fellow by the name of Pat McMurphy. He’s an individual who works in the district judge’s office, alongside the district judge. All of the things that we do, physically and politically, are the scheming of things in the New Orleans area.” READ MORE
Bolden will shoot of course here as well as Atlanta and New Orleans. Although tests shoots are being done here in Wilmington, they begin production September 22nd in Atlanta. They don’t begin officially filming in Wilmington until December. Michael tweeted last week while he was in Wilmywood during his fitting.
ICYMI: The trailer for Wilmywood shot Two-Eleven came out last week. This Indie flick from Brick Lions Productions, Five Degrees Productions and Rude Jester Productions is slated for the film festival circuit in 2015.
“Two-Eleven” is a powerful story about the raw emotions we experience when coping with a traumatic situation. It’s a story about consequence… and a story of hope…”
Starring Devin McGee, Joshua Allen, Terrie Batson, Troy Rudeseal, Brick Jackson and many more!
The local drama was written by Brick Jackson & Joseph A. Covas, directed by Joseph A. Covas and produced by Cecilia and Jay Zadeh. Plus we can’t forget about our fab local DP Brannigan Carter and his mad skills!
Two-Eleven was shot in New Hanover County and utilized multiple locations such as Cape Fear Community College, The Millenium Building on Randall Pkwy, ILM Airport (Air Wilmington), 2nd and Grace streets, New Hanover Medical Center, and the Bellamy Mansion.
Well done folks! Looking forward to a screening!
Can we give a major birthday shout out to our local stunt man/coordinator Dino Mucchio! Look, the stunt ladies love him! LOL. Happy Birthday buddy!
That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!
Bryan Kupko did an amazing timelapse of the NC Film photoshoot at Battleship Park with Still photog Brownie Harris. Check it out! We will have a complete story on the blog including interviews and drone shots on Monday morning thanks to WGSR.
Don’t forget! Please make sure to attend tomorrow!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23rd @ 4pm
Battleship Park
Brownie Harris will be taking the group photo Group Photo.
They are looking for Film Crew Families, All Actors, Background “Extras” and their families, Business Owners and families, Location Providers, Support Services & Vendors, anyone who has ever worked with, on, or for a production that has filmed in North Carolina. If you are a tourist and you came to Wilmington specifically because of film, you are invited as well!
They will be documenting the residents and families of Southeastern North Carolina with a massive group photograph of all those who will be affected by the loss of the Film Incentives. Brownie Harris will be the fab photog. RSVP NOW
OVER FLOW PARKING WILL BE AT:
Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park
205 Sutton Steam Plant Road
Wilmington, NC 28401
We will shuttle people to the event by way of Trolly Car and Limousine.
If you have any questions, please do not send them to me. I am not organizing this event, just helping to get the word out. Click on their Facebook invite and post your questions there.
Lionsgate is finally delivering us TO evil this October. The Devil’s Hand, akaThe Devil’s Rapture akaWhere the Devil Hides aka The Occult was shot back in 2012 here in Wilmywood. And we now have ourselves a trailer!
The flick is about something evil that runs amuck in the small village of New Bethlehem where six girls who were born on the same day by six different mothers begin to mysteriously disappear on the eve of their 18th birthday. Is it a serial killer, one of the village elders or a horrific prophecy come true?
The feature was shot in multiple locations in our area including: Wilmington, Burgaw, Currie, Supply, Rocky Point, Willard, Supply and Castle Hayne. Every crew member that I have asked in regards to this film just couldn’t say enough about how great the environment was on set. Crew members really enjoyed working on this film.
Pictured (L to R):Stunt Coordinator Peter King with stunt performers Michele Waitman,Jimmie Lee Sessoms, Jimmy Waitman, Dale “Sunshine” Frye, and John Casino. (Photo courtesy of Jimmie Lee Sessoms.)
It was the first time that Michael Jefferson, 1st AD, worked with a foreign director. “We had a lot of fun trying to understand each other,” Jefferson remembers. “Me with my Southern redneck drawl and Christian [Christiansen] with his thick Danish.” The stunt work was a favorite for Jefferson as well. And that department completely agreed.
Jimmie Lee Sessoms lit up with excitement when I asked him about the work the stunt team performed. “We got to slide cop cars around! Ben Jensen and myself snatched Peter King through a door with a ratchet! We had people doing high falls and jumping through windows!!”
Jefferson says, “The one stunt where a mother jumped from the church steeple was my favorite. It will be a great sequence.”
Pictured (L to R): John McIntyre, Patrick Borowiak, Frank Godwin and Matt Doll. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Borowiak, AC.)
Jefferson also gave praise to the North Carolina proud DP, Frank Godwin, as well as the producers on the project. “Pete Shilaimon and Scott Holroyd were a great team and kept the set light and fun.”
Transpo Co-captain Jeff McLaughlin agrees. “The show was completely locally crewed. The producers and director were extremely easy to work for. They made going to work a complete blast! I wish them the best of luck with the release and hope to work with them again!”
Andy Bader (additional Second AC)also chimed in about working with Frank Godwin. “He’s a fantastic North Carolina camera guy that I’ve worked with for years.”
The camera department is definitely excited to see how this flick turned out. Along with the creepy storyline, dolly grip, Troy Carlton, said the creative photography is what is really gonna make this film really shine.
Second AC John McIntyre says, “We had a killer camera department and did some really cool work with high speed cameras and lots and lots of blood!”
What Bader remembers most about The Devil’s Hand is how they worked with the supernatural horror element. “It wasn’t a bunch of cheesy horror jump scares. I felt more of a classic horror vibe.”
That’s is good to know, and we will find out for ourselves as The Devil’s Hand will be releasedon VOD, EST, DVD and other TV platforms on October 10th, almost exactly one year later after it’s original release date. The movie stars Rufus Sewell, Alycia Debnam Carey, Adelaide Kane, Leah Pipes, Thomas McDonell and “Dexter” fav Jennifer Carpenter.
The Wilmywood Daily 