Screenwriter and director Brian Lannin is in Old Forge with his crew this week to shoot scenes for a new short film titled ‘Between the Ice.’
A student production crew from New York University (NYU) arrived on location in Old Forge to begin shooting a short 15-minute drama on Tuesday, January 10.
The crew took an early afternoon lunch break at the North Street Pavilion before they resumed filming of a snowmobile scene on North Street.
Among them was Brian Lannin, a second year NYU student, scriptwriter and director of the film, who said he was excited about the opportunity to shoot the film in Old Forge.
Lannin said when he wrote the script he envisioned the story taking place in the Adirondacks, although he and his crew had never been to the Adirondacks.
He said they scouted for a film location in the Lake Placid/ Saranac Lake area but could not find a location that fit the story line.
“Then we found Kurt and Ximena Gardner at Adirondack Productions in Old Forge, and we suddenly realized it could happen,” said Lannin. “They had the know-how, and without their help this would not have been possible. It was totally serendipitous.”
Lannin said the Gardners found film locations and helped with many other important details and arrangements.
The visiting NYU film crew sets up at Old Forge’s North Street. Photos by Carol Hansen
“And the town has also gone out of its way to support us. So, it’s a complete blessing that we’ve made it this far to the first day of production—and it’s all thanks to the town,” Lannin said.
Sitting beside Lannin during the break was Mollye Asher, producer and also a director of the film, and cinematographer Kristina Nikolova.
Nikolova, originally from Bulgaria, met the co-directors when she was a teaching assistant at one of their NYU classes.
Asher, a fourth year filmmaking student and MFA Candidate at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, has previously produced and directed 10 short films.
“Between the Ice” is a pre-thesis film, “the first big film we do before graduation,” she said in an earlier interview.
The short drama is about responsibility, sacrifice, and freedom, and a young woman named Jezebel who is forced to make a decision that will forever change her life, and the lives of others.
Lannin cited some changes to his original script that he said will make the film stronger dramatically.
The “Between the Ice” cast includes actors from New York City as well as a of couple young local actors.
Amanda Phillips, will play the role of Jezebel. An NYU grad, she has had previous roles in film, theater and television including “Law and Order.”
Tyler Hollinger plays Jezebel’s boyfriend, Ryan. He is currently a cast member of ABC’s “What Would You Do?” and is cast as a southern District Attorney in the feature film, “Fishers of Men,” which is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2011.
Cousins Tyler Fenton, 12, and Brendon Lis, 6, of Old Forge have been cast as Jezebel’s young sons and will appear in two scenes.
The film will be screened in New York City in April, and according to Lannin they will be submitting it to film festivals world-wide.
He hopes to eventually screen the film in Old Forge.
The Gardners said they and the production crew are all grateful for the assistance of John Humphrey of The Comfort Zone who provided ground wiring, and wiring for the lighting; Town of Webb Police Chief John Russell; and Fire Chief Charlie Bogardus and the Old Forge Fire Department Dive Team and EMS, who are on stand-by during crucial scenes.
