The whitewashed picket fence, albeit leaning and thin in some places, still bordered the home place. A tin-roofed barn made of rough-cut lumber sits, flanked by grass made green by recent rains.
Across the way, what once was a country store stands a little too close to the now-traveled clay dirt road.
If those descriptions bring to mind the scene of a movie, one would be absolutely correct – especially considering that on Friday, the student film production of “Only Fear of Death” was winding down shooting the remaining scenes at an old plantation site just over the county line.
The low-budget, 35-minute film is the senior thesis for Michael “Mike” Infante, a student at a New York school of visual and performing arts. So how does a New York director find a location in South Alabama?
“Well, two ways,” Infante said. “We were originally thinking we’d shoot it in New Jersey, but one of the crew members (Abby Riley) was from Florala, and she said we should look at the area.
“So, then I called the state film office, and got fantastic people who got me the best possible locations here,” he said. While Infante and his crew didn’t want to pinpoint the various locations throughout the county, he did mention areas of Red Level, Florala and the Brooklyn area, specifically Boggs and Boulders and the surrounding lands.
The film tells the story of a family dealing with slavery during the Civil War and is a collaboration between Infante and fellow film student and girlfriend of six years, Jessica Thoubboron.
“There are no war scenes in the movie,” Infante said. “Instead, it’s a drama about the interaction between a members of a slave-holding family. It’s a modern look at the social dynamics among everyone, about humanity and how people are forced into a situation they don’t want to be in.”
Infante and a location scout traveled to Florala the first part of January to “scout” out the area.
“We found everything we needed to make a great film – a manor house, gorgeous roads, great barns, slave quarters, an old country store and the weather – the weather goes in and out, which, as a director, is amazing,” he said. “You can have sun, wind and rain all in one day. Here, in South Alabama, you have everything. I will be back.”
While here, of the 25 cast members, there were four local castings made, including two Brewton women and one Andalusia woman, Alice Maholmes. Maholmes was shopping inside “All is Well” when spotted by Kent Smith, an Andalusia native with decades of experience as a location scout for the film industry and working to find talent for the film.
The Brewton women, Linda Turk-Frazier and Maggie Dozier, were discovered after answering a newspaper ad printed in The Brewton Standard.
Other locals also had their hands in the movie-making magic. Costumes and props for the movie were put on loan by George and Brenda Gantt at Sweetgum Bottom Antiques, while Sir Francis McGowin lent his expertise in history, Infante said.
The 19-member crew will finish working on location today, and will soon return to New York to finish producing the film.
Infante said while this may have been a student project, he plans to enter the selection in a variety of film festivals.
Get your bags ready and take a trip across the Atlantic to see “beautiful landscapes” on the upcoming Andalusia Adult Activity Center’s trip to England, Scotland and Wales.
“Come join us for an exciting trip the UK,” said Debbie Carter of the center. “Our tour highlights include a spectacular tour of the area.
“We are very excited to offer a trip like this for our local residents,” Carter said. “We hope those who have always wanted to explore England and the surrounding area will take the time to go with us. It’s sure to be an exciting time.”
Among the sites on the tour are Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Changing of the Guard.
“We’ll also see a spectacular theater performance,” she said. “You will see the 13th Century York Minister, one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe. You will get a glimpse at what life is like for the royals during your visit to the Place of Holyroodhouse, the queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots.”
Carter said those who attend, will also take part in a medieval dinner complete with Welsh entertainment.
“Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime trip,” she said. “Also, people considering going should remember they will need a passport,” she said.
Carter said that anyone age 21 and up is welcome to go on the trip.
The trip is scheduled from Nov. 1-10, and the price is $3,199 per person, with optional trip insurance for an extra $220.
The first deposit of $250 is due May 11 and remaining balance is due Aug. 21.
Those interested in attending, should call 222-6891.
Several local women have committed to walk 60 miles and raise $2,300 each to help fight breast cancer, and those women are asking members of the local community to step up and do the same things, only on a smaller scale.
The “Sole Sisters,” as they call themselves, are asking area residents to walk three miles and contribute $25 to the third annual “Walking for a Cure” set for 9 a.m. Sat., March 24.
Participants will walk from the Beef O’Brady’s parking lot through downtown to the First Baptist Church and back in support of a breast cancer cure.
“Last year we had 150 walkers,” said Kim Brook, one of the organizers. “All proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.”
Wendy Weaver is back for the walk this year after not being able to participate last year.
“I felt drawn to do it again this year,” she said. “It seems like every day someone you know is affected. It’s something that everyone is directly or indirectly affected by, and men can get it, too. Even though, you don’t typically associate men with breast cancer.”
Those interested can sign up online at active.com or stop by SunTech.
The “Sole Sisters” will once again walk in the annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day for A Cure coming up this year.
For those who do not wish to walk the entire three miles, there will be transportation to pick them up.
Those who sign up will receive a T-shirt. Those who register before March 20 will pay $20; those who register after March 20 will pay $25.
For more information, call 222-2280.
Southeast Alabama Gas District is asking local residents “to get a line and a pole” and participate in their annual fishing tournament benefiting Relay for Life.
“Fishing for a Cure” will be held March 31, at Point A Park.
Cost is $90 per boat, and there is an optional $10 big fish per boat.
Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Covington County Relay for Life.
First place will receive $600 cash; second place, $250; third place, $150; and big fish winner will receive $120.
Winning are based on a 20-boat minimum, and fourth place and under will be entered in a door prize drawing.
The $2 park fee will be waived and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided for paid participants.
Additionally, there will be a concession stand for lunch.
Those who register by March 12 will receive a T-shirt.
Those interested in participating should contact Reba Gant at 488-0543 or call or stop by the SEAGD.
Where can you see a dancing judge, dentist, pharmacist, banker, and “mattress man?” All of that and Buford Nerdley, too, at this year’s Red Garter Review.
Johnny Brewer will host this year’s Academy Award-themed event.
Shows are at 7 tonight, Fri., March 2, and tomorrow, Sat., March 3.
Tickets are available from Ansley Place, Maryann’s, Brooks Hardware, Harold’s, and at the door.
Tickets $12 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating.