COASTAL GEORGIA FILM ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES PSYCHO-THRILLER FILMING IN ST. MARYS, GEORGIA
ST. MARYS, GA—The Goodbread House, circa 1870, was the setting for the filming of independent film “Hopscotch” this week in St. Marys, Georgia.
Facilitated by the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, the production includes cast and crew from around the country and has been in pre-production for six months. The short psycho-thriller was written by Christian Nelson and is directed by Kirsten Walsh.
“The Coastal Georgia Film Alliance (CGFA) has been absolutely incredible in helping us find the project location and they even helped arrange our planned stay,” said director Walsh.
A shroud of secrecy was held over the film while in pre-production, but titillating details like Walsh’s saying, “the film features just three people, but more than three bodies” is setting up horror fans’ expectations. Walsh was not referring to the adorable bulldog, Navi, who is also part of the production.
“’Hoptscotch’ is a SAG/AFTRA union production,” said Walsh. “We’re involved in the American Humane Association’s ‘No Animal Harmed’ program and adhere to strict guidelines for Navi.”
Indeed Navi seemed to have the best of all worlds during filming with everyone adoring her, especially the three leading ladies: Karen Overstreet, Amanda Ayres, and Christin Easterling—all veterans around the independent film circuit. Easterling flew in from Los Angeles for the shoot.
The Goodbread House in the historic district of St. Marys served well the role of a mansion in the film with a Victorian ambience that fit perfectly into Nelson’s script. Goodbread proprietor Marja Gray said that working with the film crew was delightful and is looking forward to hosting future film teams.
“Hopscotch” principals were so impressed with St. Marys, they intend to use the town as a location for their upcoming film, “Six and Seven.”
Doug Vaught, CGFA chair, said that returning filmmakers is getting to be a trend for the Coastal Georgia area citing the area’s film-friendly atmosphere and location values that include natural settings as well as a diverse collection of buildings as reason enough to entice filmmakers to come back.
“The internationally award-winning filmmaker Mahmoud Shoolizadeh who filmed ‘The Prisoner’ here last year will be returning to St. Marys in early 2014 to film his newest project called ‘The Debt,’” Vaught said.
“Hopscotch” is slated to be released this summer, then Walsh will immediately go into the production of “Six and Seven” with filming in Coastal Georgia around September.
For more information about the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, visit www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org.
