announcing Chesapeake
VIRGINIA FILMMAKERS ANNOUNCE PLANS TO SHOOT NEW FILM IN CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION; CHESAPEAKE TO STAR KEITH CARRADINE
Moving Tale of Loss and Redemption Centers Around Region’s Time-Honored Watermen Culture As It Faces Threats From Modern World
Charlottesville, Virginia – Academy-Award winning actor Keith Carradine is slated to star in Chesapeake, a film written and directed by Eric Hurt (Pillage and Plunder Pictures). Produced by Erica Arvold (Arvold Productions) and Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Life Out Loud Films), the film is projected to shoot in Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay region in 2014.
“The first thing that attracted me to Chesapeake [the film] was the script: it’s a classic story of loss and redemption,” says Carradine, “There’s something so ultimately affirming about this story, and I want to be a part of things that do that. I think we have something really good here.”
The drama centers around an isolated waterman whose solitary life is profoundly changed when he saves a young boy from drowning. Using underwater photography and 360 degree views of the area, writer/director Hurt’s vision is built around showcasing the spectacular settings of the area.
“The catalyst for me was the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen culture,” says Hurt. “When I hear their stories and see the integrity and dedication the watermen bring to their lives and work, I am inspired to build and tell a story like this one, and to create a genuine setting where these fictional characters live.”
Research and on-the-ground experience has been crucial to the development and authenticity of the project. Hurt continues, “I’ve been amazed at the support and encouragement we have received and continue to receive from so many people and organizations, from the individual watermen we’ve met to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia Film Office, who have been with us every step of the way and who are integral to this process.”
“This project is a perfect representation of what Virginia film is all about,” said Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office. “You have a homegrown team that has a great deal of experience on bigger films, and they combine their skill and dedication as filmmakers with a boundless passion not only for their story, but for the place where they are telling it. It’s a win-win for us, and a proven formula for making a really good film.”
Writer/director Eric Hurt’s most recent feature, House Hunting, was filmed in Charlottesville, VA and is currently in worldwide distribution.
Erica Arvold, Virginia casting director for Spielberg’s Lincoln will cast and produce Chesapeake. Arvold also cast and produced Hurt’s House Hunting. She brings over 20 years of work on studio and independent features. Since moving to Charlottesville, she has focused on Virginia filmmaking, with casting credits that include Killing Lincoln, Wish You Well, Lake Effects and the upcoming Killing Kennedy.
Sara Elizabeth Timmins has been producing films for over a decade. She produced the Hallmark Channel movie Lake Effects and her most recent project was Wish You Well, a feature film written by David Baldacci and premieres at the Heartland Film Festival October 19th. Both films were shot in Southwest Virginia, and her vision and drive to involve the community in the production process resulted in lasting relationships and a positive economic impact on Virginia.
“Our approach to filmmaking is to create a collaborative environment and a fulfilling experience for everyone involved, especially the community” notes Timmins, “we have met some of the most enthusiastic and welcoming people on our visits to the Eastern Shore.”
Arvold says, “From the moment I read the script, I was hooked. We are currently in the process of meeting with investors, lining up resources and partnerships, and aligning ourselves with potential distribution companies. And, knock on wood, we are well on our way!”
For the press release, please click here
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