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Adventure film for kids set to be shot here this summer

SCOT ALLYN, Morning Journal Writer

01/28/2008

ELYRIA -- If you see cannibals, pirates and ninja warriors in Cascade Park this summer, don't worry, you're not losing your mind.

You're just seeing a Hollywood dream coming true. J. Carlos Gonzalez of Lorain, a part-time graphic designer for Lorain County Community College, has written a script for a family-friendly kid's adventure film called ''Not In Ohio,'' which is scheduled to be shot in June and July in Cascade Park in Elyria and other locations throughout Lorain County.

The film includes fantasy-adventure elements and special effects that would require a $120 million budget if done in typical Hollywood fashion, Gonzalez said. But since it is a non-union effort, with most roles non-paying and many crew members donating their talents, he said it will cost about $350,000.

''Not In Ohio'' follows a group of adult friends who are transported back to their childhoods after becoming lost in Cascade Park following a mysterious treasure map. They are menaced by pirates, ninja warriors, cannibals and a 35-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex before learning the important lesson of working together to find their way back to the real world.

On Saturday, Gonzalez, 39, held auditions for the non-paying film roles at LCCC. About 15 people turned up, including Matthew Eckhart, 17, a tall senior at Elyria High School. Eckhart said he hopes to become a professional actor some day.

''I've never done anything in film, but the best-case scenario would be to get a role,'' Eckhart said. His student stage experience includes roles in ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' and ''Peter Pan.''

Following the weekend tryouts, and a casting call last November, Gonzalez said he has filled about 68 roles, including a part for his high-school drama teacher, Gene Dulmage. But Gonzalez still needs two boys between 14 and 16 years old, and one man between 25 and 35.

''These are lead roles with lots of dialogue,'' Gonzalez said. ''I posted them on my Web site and have been swamped with information. People are posting their clips on YouTube.''

Elly Maranos, a brunette from Middleburg Heights, said she came for the tryouts after treating herself to a visit to the hairdresser for her birthday.

''I opened the paper and saw the notice for the tryouts, so I came,'' she said. ''Today is my 26th birthday, and it's Jan. 26, so maybe it'll be lucky.'' Maranos, who said she appeared in the documentary ''The World Without Us,'' performed a monologue she wrote to show off her comedic and serious range. When she was done, Gonzalez asked her for a blood-curdling scream, which she happily offered.

Gonzalez, who grew up in Lorain and graduated in 1987 from Southview High School, said he has been writing movies since he was 13 years old. ''Not In Ohio'' is Gonzalez's second directorial effort, after ''That Day,'' which he wrote and directed in 2005 on a $15,000 budget and 15-day shooting schedule.

''I'm entirely self-taught,'' Gonzalez said. ''I saw ''Star Wars'' at age 12 and ever since then I've wanted to make movies.'' In addition to his LCCC work, Gonzalez owns Line 10 Entertainment, a film production company.

''That Day'' premiered in front of an audience of 1,200 at the Lorain Palace Theater in 2006, Gonzalez said. Although the film did not make money, Gonzalez said it opened doors that made it possible for ''Not In Ohio'' to be made.

A 60-foot pirate ship two stories high will be built in LaGrange for the production, which will be shot in high-definition video.

''(Lorain's) Harrison Cultural Community Center is letting us use their space to build 8-foot models of our ship and to hold rehearsals,'' Gonzalez said. For many scenes, the action is shot in front of a green screen, and other backgrounds are later inserted with computerized special effects.

But special effects could not substitute for a real pirate ship, Gonzalez said.

''We needed a real ship for the stunts,'' he said. ''Digital is good, but an actual physical ship looks better on screen. Of course we can't build a 35-foot Tyrannysaurus rex.''

The Ohio Film Commission has helped Gonzalez secure locations, including several Lorain County Metro Parks, which will double as Cascade Park. A crane used in the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' and ''Mission Impossible:3'' will be used for swoopy shots of hand-to-hand fighting.

''This is going to be one heck of a roller-coaster ride,'' Gonzalez said.

This website is owned and maintained by J. Carlos Gonzalez