Extras blend love of horses with film
Posted: Sunday, May 17, 2015 7:00 am
Lauren Langlois | 0 comments
Fans of Christmas movies and horses gathered at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite Saturday to play a part in the independent film, "Rodeo and Juliet." The extras played the part of an enthusiastic audience that is watching a competitive horse barrel race during Christmas time. Rodeo and Juliet Pictures, LLC, is producing the film, which is scheduled to air on the Hallmark Channel in December, said Thadd Turner, the director who has worked on several western films.
"This is really a love story," he said.
The movie follows a city girl who moves to rural Louisiana, connects with a special horse and falls in love with a local man, who teaches her how to barrel race. She then competes in a big race, which is what the audience was cheering for.
"I've never done this before and I just thought it would be fun," said Jo Ellen Carruth, an extra and teacher at North Shore Technical and Community College.
Carruth said when she heard about the shooting and that it was potentially going to be on Hallmark Channel, she could not resist.
"I love Hallmark. That's how I knew it would be good," she said.
Levern Blevins, of Roseland, and her daughter Gwen also jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the shooting, especially since the movie involves horses, Levern Blevins said. "We love horses in the first place," she said. And with the added bonus of it being a possible Hallmark film, they were sold. "You can never see a Hallmark movie enough," Gwen Blevins said. Both came prepared in Christmas outfits, following instructions from the film crew. Also decked out in Yuletide gear were Patrice and Ashley Morse, and Andre Escude, all of Ponchatoula.
Escude, who was there with his family, said he has seen just about every Christmas film out there, and was excited to be a part of one. His wife cannot wait for Christmas in July, when television starts playing holiday movies, to start, he added. "She loves Christmas movies," he said.
Some of the extras got the chance to be in the film serendipitously, including Alexis Jefferson, Gracelyn Kelly and Breonna Bennett, who went to the arena for an outing with Brightside Social Services. And they were glad for the accident. Jefferson said her dream is to be an actress, having been an extra twice before. "I love it," she exclaimed.
Turner said the filming is about finished as the crew works on getting cutaway shots, inserts and other details for the movie. But, he said he is hoping to do more films in Lousiana, as it has beautiful scenery, and the people have been great. He particularly was thankful for Dillard University for providing sets and Tanya Carpenter, of the arena.
(disclaimer, please NOTE: Hallmark has not committed to release)
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