“Quiet on the set … rolling!”
No, seriously, these were the words shouted across Little Rock restaurant Local Luna as I tiptoed through the set of “God’s Not Dead 2” Thursday afternoon.
In between takes, I was ushered over to what is called the “video village” — the place where the director, producer and various crew watch live footage from the cameras — to meet with producer Brittany Lefebvre.
Thursday was the last day of production of the faith-based film, “God’s Not Dead 2.” The plot centers around a high school teacher, played by Melissa Joan Hart, who is being sued by a student’s family after quoting Bible verses in her classroom. A trial ensues, and — well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out what happens.
Hart, the star of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Clarissa Explains it All” who’s been sharing photos from her adventures in Little Rock, already wrapped her scenes for the movie. But while a flurry of crew and extras reset for the next shot, I had an opportunity to tour the set with Lefebvre and talk to the film’s other stars, including Ray Wise and Ernie Hudson. (Stay cool, McGrew, stay cool.)
Wise, best known for playing Leland Palmer in the cult favorite TV series “Twin Peaks,” disarmed me immediately with his gracious demeanor. Why do we always think these Hollywood types are going to be rude? Well, because some of them are pretty self-important.
Bu that’s not the case for Mr. Wise. We chatted about his favorite meal in the city and what he loved about shooting here these last couple of weeks.
“I love Doe’s,” he told me. “I had the greatest filet mignon the other night that just melted in my mouth, like butter.” Win for Doe’s! Wise went on to talk about our southern hospitality and what made filming here such a pleasure. (Click below to see the entire interview.)
Ernie Hudson, an original Ghostbuster (!), plays the judge in the movie and was setting up for his next take just behind Wise and table of other actors, when he briefly reiterated Wise’s sentiments about the good folks of our city.
After I regained my composure — because it’s hard not to get a little starstruck after you’ve talked to an original Ghostbuster who, if I may say, is aging in reverse — I wrapped up the afternoon with Lefebvre to talk about why they’re shooting this movie here.
Lefebvre told Soirée that tax incentives brought the production of the movie to Arkansas.
“It provides an opportunity for us as filmmakers to receive some of the money back that we spend with the state,” she said. “In addition to that, Arkansas provided some of the best locations that were perfect for this setting of this movie.”
The movie was mainly filmed in Little Rock. Locations included the Capitol building, Pulaski County Courthouse, Loca Luna, The Fold, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
As production of this movie comes to a close, it sounds as if we’ve left an indelible impression on Hollywood.
“The people have been the sweetest, most generous and the film community here has just been awesome and everybody is so supportive,” said Lefebvre.
Little Rock, you make us so proud.
The movie is expected to be released in March 2016.
Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos from the set.
