Behind the Scenes at Summer Snow

As many of you may know, I’m producing a feature film next summer titled Hope Bridge. With that in mind, my director, Christi Eaton, and I (Harold Hay) headed south to Wilmore, Kentucky to get a first-hand look at the making of American Family Studios’ newest film, Summer Snow. We thought it would be a good experience for Christi since she will be a first-time director.

If you don’t know anything about Summer Snow, you should. I have a feeling this is going to be an exceptional film. And I’m not just writing this to be nice. I was impressed with both the cast and crew. Their level of commitment to excellence was obvious. We also had an opportunity to interview first-time directors Jeremy and Kendra White, a brother and sister team, who are also the writers of Summer Snow. In the next few days, we will post the complete video interview.

These guys are on fire. Their passion and enthusiasm are infectious. Sometimes people get into the film business for all the wrong reasons. Some are looking for fame and fortune. But that’s not the case with Jeremy and Kendra. Their motivation is to tell a story that offers healing and hope and which, ultimately, will point people to the truth. In other words, they know the real purpose for what they do and why they do it

One of the questions we asked Kendra White was why she chose to shoot at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. It’s not exactly on the beaten path. Kendra and her brother Jeremy were both from Wilmore, Kentucky and attended Asbury College. She went on to say that the bonus was Wilmore made the perfect location for the movie because they knew the area so well

Summer Snow is a heart-wrenching and emotionally charged story that deals with loss and how God works in unusual and unexpected ways to provide a path of healing and hope. For the Benson family faith has always mattered. But that’s going to be challenged and shaken when Susan Benson, who is the glue of the family, tragically dies. Her husband, Dan, and their three children must now struggle to discover what the new normal will be. But, even in death, Susan will provide a way by leaving hidden messages that will help guide her family to embrace a new future.

Summer Snow stars David Chisum, Cameron Goodman, Garrett Backstrom, Brett Rice and newcomer Richel Eaggleston, who is sure to steal the show.

I don’t want to give away too much of the story; however, the day we were on the set, we were fortunate to witness one of the biggest scenes in the movie. It featured hundreds of extras with a complete cast and crew present. As I looked at some of the shots through the monitors, there’s no question the directors were pleased with the results. And when the movie hits the big screen sometime in the spring of 2013, I think you will be pleased as well.

Being behind the scenes in the making of a movie is certainly an interesting place to be. You can’t imagine how much hard work it takes just to get just five seconds of footage for the movie. It takes dozens of people working together as a single unit to get the job done.

There’s really no magic to moviemaking, it’s just a lot of hard work. The crew of Summer Snow started at 8:00 a.m. and didn’t finish the day until about 9:00 p.m. But the day is not really finished because the producers are making final touches for the next day of shooting which can go long into the night.

In the next few days, production will wrap for Summer Snow. Cast and crew will go their separate ways. The film will then move into the post-production phase which will take several months to complete.

I believe in the power of film and what it can accomplish. And I’m sure the filmmakers for Summer Snow believe the same thing. They are making a film that’s a testimony to the endurance of the human spirit and to what God can accomplish in each of us. Let’s pray that God will use this film to touch and impact lives.