The “Kicked by Grace” film wraps up its Roanoke shoot this week – the story of former Roanoke police officer Bryan Lawrence, ambushed while on a call and left partially disabled. But another small, independent movie production takes its place: “Where are you, Bobby Browning?” billed as a twenty-something romantic comedy has set up shop in Vinton, using an office in the Roanoke County Health Department building on Pollard Street as home base.
Director March Hutchins and his fellow co-producers Bo Snyder and Kathryn Hatam (she grew up in Cloverdale) have all moved back into the area in recent years, intent on making independent films here. Hutchins, who also directed the Crossing Streets movie last year (about Straight Street in downtown Roanoke, which he shot for the non-profit) would like to establish a film office here.
“Bobby Browning” is being lensed under SAG union rules and is budgeted under $200,000. They held a casting call open house for minor parts and extras last weekend; there’s also a Where are You, Bobby Browning Facebook page where people can leave information and photos. Shooting is scheduled to start October 12. Hutchins said the lead roles will be played by “quasi names” you might recognize from a TV movie or a commercial.
The new film is about “a local Vinton girl who comes back in search of the one that got away …the plot unravels and there’s a lot of comic relief,” said Hatam.
Most of the movie is slated to be shot in Vinton, including the “War Memorial, the Dogwood Restaurant and hopefully Studio 45 the dance studio. Also Woodland Place as a wedding venue,” said Snyder. “Our goal is to be fast and furious [with the production],” said Hatam.
Hutchins wants to produce more non-profit films, like the Crossing Streets buddy-cop drama, but that means building up more resources first via more commercial projects like “Where are you, Bobby Browning?” There must be some sort of limited theatrical release per SAG union rules, after that Hutchins said it’s bound for Lifetime, Hallmark or similar cable channels and ultimately to DVD. Investors will make their money back on distribution fees, said Hutchins. “Our goal is to shoot two films a year,” he added.
Despite the lower budget, Hutchins said they plan to “over deliver” and produce a very professional film. They’ll cast for non-principal actors as far away as New York and Atlanta, and hope to involve some locals – like Vinton Mayor Brad Grose … whom they would like to play the mayor in Bobby Browning.
Snyder said people don’t realize “that there’s a lot going on here” locally in the movie business, something Alexander Films hopes to augment. “The town of Vinton has been extremely welcoming,” added Hatam, who has moved back to Roanoke from Washington DC. “Everyone has just really been thrilled to have us here.” Hatam actually attended the Floyd Ward School of Dance in Vinton.
The “Kicked by Grace” crew also noted the same of Roanoke City – how welcoming and helpful the locality was in assisting that low budget production. Hutchins thinks the Roanoke Valley can develop a reputation as an ideal place to shoot small, independent films and that setting up a permanent office of some type to support those productions may be a future goal. “We are excited for the flurry of activity that’s going on,” added Hatam.
By Gene Marrano
