Florida Film Festival’s opening night film shares Sunshine State ties
“Because of Charley” makes its world premiere on the opening night of the 30th Annual Florida Film Festival, a fitting debut as the movie has several ties to the Sunshine State.
It was the first COVID-compliant motion picture shot in Central Florida last year amid the pandemic. The fictional film draws from the experiences of Floridians when Hurricane Charley devastated the state in 2004. It features a cast and crew largely from Central Florida. And Renaissance Entertainment, which produced the film, is based in Celebration — where some of the filming took place.
“We can’t believe it,” said Lisa Enos Smith, executive producer of “Because of Charley.” “We’ve submitted other films in the past and never got into the Florida Film Festival. So, to get in, and then to also get to be the opening show, we’re just over-the-moon thrilled.”
“Because of Charley” is a family drama about
a mixed-race, dysfunctional family who ends up trapped indoors as Hurricane Charley wreaks havoc.
“They don’t really want to be, but they’re stuck
because of the hurricane,” Smith said. “We were all stuck at home leading up to the shoot [because of COVID], and the dynamic was really interesting because it kind of resonated with all of us, that feeling of being stuck with your family.”
Smith said Renaissance Entertainment is deeply involved in the Central Florida community. The company works closely the theme parks to produce content, such as working with Universal Orlando Resort on The Bourne Stuntacular show. When there’s extra money, they shift course and finance films.
“We always work in Florida,” Smith said. “We’re big fans.”
For “Because of Charley,” they filmed at a home in Celebration, plus at Sherwood Forest RV Resort in Kissimmee and Oak Crest Mobile Park in Orlando to capture a moment at Grandpa’s trailer.
“There’s so many different places [in Central Florida] you can go with different looks. It’s beautiful. It’s wacky and fun. And we like working here,” she said. “The heat hurts us a little bit. And the bugs … when you’re shooting at night, sometimes that’s interesting, but other than that, it’s all good.”
Despite the lack of tax breaks, like those offered for filming in Georgia, Smith said Renaissance Entertainment isn’t going anywhere.
“We’re big believers in this market,” she said, noting that her company is currently planning to shoot a Florida-centric comedy in December.
“I would love to see us, you know, be funded in the way that I think was intended for Florida so that more productions will work here,” she said. “We’ve got some, but we should be having a lot more productions.”
In addition to scenic diversity, Smith said Central Florida is a hub for local actors and
supporting crews, who work at entertainment hot spots such as SAK Comedy Lab, Walt Disney World and Universal.
“The unique thing about Florida is because of the theme parks, we’ve got great crews and great talent,” Smith said. “I think there’s so much great talent here that I think companies coming from outside will really benefit from it.”
Among the Central Florida actors in “Because of Charley” are Erin Cline who plays Leigh, Peg O’Keef as Grammy, Simon Needham as Ian and Joop Katana as Danno. There are also cameos from locals, such as Sallie Glaner as news anchor Brenda Weston and Mark Daniel as meteorologist Tim Linamen. The only crew member from out-of-state was Daniel Stilling, the film’s director of photography who hails from Denmark.
The cast, including seasoned actor John Amos who plays Grandpa in the film, will reunite on April 9 to mingle with Florida Film Festival attendees.
“We’re really proud to have John Amos coming. … We couldn’t imagine this film without him as the grandpa character. He just did such a nice job,”
Smith said. “We’re really excited to get everyone together again.”
If you go: Doors open for “Film + Party” ticketholders for the
Opening Night Party and Film at 5:15 p.m. April 9 at Enzian Theater (1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland). At 5:45 p.m. there will be a brief introduction, followed by the opening night short documentary and “Because of Charley.” The party for “Party Only” ticketholders takes place 6-8 p.m. outside, while the party for “Film + Party” ticketholders runs from 8:30-10:30 p.m. The encore screening for “Film Only” ticketholders takes place at 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.). For more information about the festival and to buy tickets or passes, go to floridafilmfestival.com.
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