T-County native son Rik Swartzwelder finds that ‘anything can happen’ in bringing his dream of filming a movie in his hometown setting to reality: “Old Fashioned” filming to begin Fall 2011

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • May 23, 2011
  • 1336
T-County native son Rik Swartzwelder finds that ‘anything can happen’ in bringing his dream of filming a movie in his hometown setting to reality: “Old Fashioned” filming to begin Fall 2011
T-County native son Rik Swartzwelder finds that ‘anything can happen’ in bringing his dream of filming a movie in his hometown setting to reality: “Old Fashioned” filming to begin Fall 2011
T-County native son Rik Swartzwelder finds that ‘anything can happen’ in bringing his dream of filming a movie in his hometown setting to reality: “Old Fashioned” filming to begin Fall 2011
T-County native son Rik Swartzwelder finds that ‘anything can happen’ in bringing his dream of filming a movie in his hometown setting to reality: “Old Fashioned” filming to begin Fall 2011
                        
Summary: Rik Swartwelder, a successful writer, producer, and director, as well as a Tuscarawas County native, has announced plans to bring filming of major motion picture “Old Fashioned” to Tuscarawas County. Recently, Rik outlined the evolution of his dreams to a full house at Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. It began with an old movie camera that Rik Swartzwelder found in his grandmother’s closet, and is now resulting in a full length major movie being filmed in Tuscarawas County. “I was probably about third grade, and I found an 8 mm movie camera, and asked her if I could have it. She gave it to me. I started making short films right then. Mom kept buying me 8 mm movie cartridges so I could keep making movies. Someone believed in me, in my dream,” stated writer/director/producer Swartzwelder, whose movies made in his hometown New Philadelphia basement as a youth have evolved into over 50 major film awards and his current position as a producing partner with Skoche Films of Burbank, California. The filmmaker admitted that he coaxed friends to act in his early films, including childhood friend Jeff Furbay, who now directs the New Phila Band. “Jeff dressed up in his pajamas and said he was Spock, aboard the Enterprise,” shared Swartzwelder, laughing. Swartzwelder was overcome with emotion as he noted others who encouraged his dream, particularly his mother, Jayne Swartwelder, a well-known local artist. “’Listen to the shouldn’ts the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, and listen close to me. Anything can happen, Child. Anything can happen.’ And that’s true,” said the young filmmaker. The director of “Old Fashioned”, slated to begin filming in Tuscarawas County in Fall 2011, commented on how dreams are nurtured. “When I was in eighth grade, my teacher Jeanie Wieland let me make a short film instead of turning in a book report. She encouraged my gift; she encouraged me to dream. Several years ago, I had very little money, and someone helped me get my college education…someone believed in and encouraged me. A few years after that, I’m making a short film in Washington, DC…and had a conversation with a young lady about a romantic comedy film I wanted to make that took love seriously. It strived to uplift an idea of what virtuous love could look like…she is now one of our producers. We worked on the script for years and years, and kept taking it all over the country…looking for investors. There’s a group of people around, from Texas, Florida, Michigan, who have never met, who believe in this, and are pouring their money into this county. They believe in this story, and they believed in me and my production team when I told them Tuscarawas County was the place to make this film. Anything can happen,” he stated emphatically, noting that the movie has been a dream for him for the past ten years. "We are honored to be here. We have people here, my team coming in from Florida, New York, Los Angeles,” continued Swartzelder. Team members include producer Nathan Nazario, co-producer Nini Hadjis, and producton designer Melody George. “None have been here before, but all of them, to a person, were blown away when they got here. Not just by the beauty and the landscape, but by the kindness of the people. Tuscarawas County is a special place. It shaped me. I am making films today because of the values that were instilled in me, and the people that encouraged me. It is the highest privilege of my life, so far, to bring this film back here. “ Skoche Films has set up an Ohio production office at 124 East High Avenue, and will eventually be asking county residents to participate in such things as scenic art, on-set production assistance, office help, set maintenance, construction, props and wardrobe, and all types of support roles, including actors as ‘extras’. Those interested are incoraged to contact oldfashionedmovie@gmail .com, call 330-602-2420, ext. 220, through the Old Fashioned Facebook page, or at www.oldfashionedmovie.com. Said Swartwelder, “We need the enthusiasm and support of people here. No one does it alone.” Production Timeline: Now through Summer 2011 - Limited pre-production underway. Continue to determine locations for shoots. Callbacks now taking place around the US. June 26- 27: ‘Cattle Call’ for extras at Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center. Fall 2011 – September to November – Principal photography, with early November wrap up. Fall 2012 - Goal is to hold Premier at Kent State University Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, then launch in theatres. Valentine’s Day 2013 – Release of DVD


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