Independent film may lead to greater things

For the first time in years, a movie is going to filmed in Washington, starting this summer. And, although it's not a big Hollywood production, a small independent movie could lead to other movie companies discovering that Washington, Georgia, is the perfect Southern small-town movie set - complete with costumed extras.

"We'll be arriving August 12, and we'll film from August 13 through 16," said Vianlix Mestey-Schneider (just say Vee-on-licks), the independent film maker, producer, and writer of "Deception." The company will be filming at Holly Court Inn, the historic bed-and-breakfast inn of Philip and Margaret Rothman on South Alexander Street.

"Then we'll be back in April 2007, and that's when the really big production is coming. We'll need extras and horses then," she said.

"This is a good thing," said Mayor Willie Burns. "It's a great opportunity for us to benefit, and if this goes well, I look for Washington to flourish as a small-town movie location."

He pointed out that Washington and Wilkes County had a built-in cast of authentically costumed extras, veterans of "Postmarked Wilkes County," the only outdoor production in Georgia.

With scenes like this commonplace around the city and county, movie producers are likely to find out that, for historical pictures, Washington-Wilkes has a wealth of resources. Dozens of others have - for years - been in costume and in character at the Spring Tour of Homes, the Christmas Tour, and at living history events at Callaway Plantation, the Robert Toombs House, and the Washington Historical Museum.

"We've been doing the dramas, we've got the history, we've got a beautiful downtown, beautiful homes," said Burns. "We're ripe for the movies to come here."

Vianlix, who is making her first independent film, fell in love with Washington from her first look on the Holly Court Inn web site. "It was just overwhelming how beautiful Washington is, and how friendly the people are. They've done everything for us to make this possible." That especially includes Phil Rothman, who will be giving the film crew the run of his inn for a while. "I know independent film is a gamble, but I really feel like I'm making a contribution to the arts," he said. Although he hopes for some exposure for his Holly Court Inn, he sees that the whole town can gain if it capitalizes on the opportunity.

Efforts have already begun, said Payroll Development Authority Executive Director David Jenkins. "First, the movie gets us on the map as a movie location," he said. "Having one success will allow us to market to Georgia's Film Office as well as to film location consultants."

Second, he said, production of the movie is spurring WashingtonWilkes to better organize all the resources a film company can find here. 'The Chamber of Commerce is learning to help with organizing extras," Jenkins said, "and we're better describing all the characters, props, and costumes we have. And we're developing a film web page. All of these are important to have when the next film consultant visits Washington-Wilkes."

"To have a film made here is going to be a cornerstone to help attract attention from that industry," Rothman said. "It doesn't have to be Gone With The Wind, but we have to start somewhere, and once we've started, to promote it, and invest in it."