Current Issue Articles
Current Issue Articles |
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| The scenic Santa Ynez Valley has been a popular film location for decades and benefits from the stimulus that each production brings to the local economy. Yet, it is rare that a filmmaker brings both a film’s storyline and production to the area. The independent film “Flying Lessons,” which was shot entirely in the Santa Ynez Valley, is unique. Director and producer Derek Magyar set the script to use the picturesque canvas of this area throughout the story. Derek Magyar, whose family resides in Happy Canyon, was inspired to film the story on familiar turf. Magyar’s mother, Nancy Englander, and stepfather, Harold Williams, (both formerly at the J. Paul Getty Trust), have been living in the Valley for almost fifteen years and he is a frequent visitor to their ranch. He considers Santa Ynez a home. Much of the film was shot on the family property, including scenes at the home of the elderly Alzheimer’s patient Harry, played by Hal Holbrook. |
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“The story was not originally written for Santa Ynez Valley but it fit like a glove,” Magyar explained during a recent phone interview. He went on to point out that “the storyline fit perfectly because it is about a girl moving from the big city to a small town.” Maggie Grace stars as Sophie, a young woman who is forced to return home from Los Angeles to face old demons and her estranged mother, Carolyn, played by Christine Lahti, who lives in an upscale Santa Ynez home. Through Sophie’s job caring for Alzheimer’s patient Harry, she manages to reconnect with those she once alienated. When asked what drew him to the film, Veteran thespian Hal Holbrook said, “It is a very good script...It has something to deliver in the way of a human message.” |
| Holbrook, who recently turned 85, said that after watching people with Alzheimer’s so that he could more accurately play his role, he realized, “It’s not so much different than the way I feel now.” Another Valley local, Richard Harris, edited the film and his connection with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival garnered “Flying Lessons” the opening night screening this year. Magyar acknowledged that Harris’s personal relationship with Festival Executive Director Roger Durling was key. Durling, who was a fan of the film from the beginning, was proud to highlight a homegrown indie film to open the Festival. The Festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary February 4-14, also picked 2010 Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock, Kathryn Bigelow, Jeff Bridges and others to receive special awards. Magyar and his cast, which also includes Cary Elwes and Jonathan Tucker, were in exceptional company during the Festival’s opening with “Flying Lessons” as many other celebrities walked the Red Carpet that night. Magyar has made his mark in acting roles, such as X in “Boy Culture” (2006) and Commander Kelby in “Star Trek: Enterprise” (2005). “Flying Lessons” marks his debut as a producer and director. He originally planned to also be an actor in the film but decided that it would be “too many tasks to handle.” Thomas Kuehl scripted and co-produced the film. Jenny Hinkey was another co-producer. Chris Carter and Mark Johnson were executive producers. Magyar reports, “Another nine minutes of the film have been edited out since it opened the Festival in February. Now it is completely finished and has premiered in Los Angeles and New York City.” He says that it was well received in both venues and they are now seeking national and international distributors for a release date later this year. Several other locations in the Valley were included in the script to add the flavor of local culture, including downtown Santa Ynez streets, Maverick Saloon, Artiste Wine Tasting and Gallery and the Fossemalle Dance Studio. Magyar says, “Santa Ynez Valley is an incredible place. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the local community. Thank God for Santa Ynez!” |
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Santa Ynez Valley provided the backdrop for another 2010 Santa Barbara International Film Festival premier, “Michael Jackson: The Untold Story of Neverland.” Producer/director Larry Nimmer worked as a filmmaker for the Jackson defense team during Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial. Nimmer’s documentary looks behind the hype and innuendo of Jackson’s notorious child molestation trial and paints a vivid picture of his life at Neverland. |
Larry Levinson Productions has returned repeatedly to North County and Santa Ynez Valley, with one of their most recent movies “Uncorked” recently airing, and have come back to scout for yet another project.” |
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“Flying Lessons”; “Ghost Adventures”/Travel Channel; and “Love Life.” |
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