Tuesday May 1, 2001
By BRIAN MEDEL
Halifax Herald
SHELBURNE - Production is set to begin today in Shelburne on a film for the
entire family.
Virginia's Run is the likely title of a movie about a young girl's dream to ride in a cross-country equestrian marathon.
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne and British actor Joanne Whalley will star, along with 12-year-old Lindze Letherman, who plays Virginia. Letherman recently starred in Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams.
"Racing scenes will be all over the place, from Clyde River back . . . to set up the concept of a long distance endurance race," said Leif Bristow, president of Knightscove Entertainment Corp. of Toronto.
His partner in Knightscove, Robert Schwartz, created Iron Will, a northern dog-sled race movie, and will produce Virginia's Run. It's the first picture for the 16-month-old company and is slated for theatrical release next January or February.
"We created Knightscove to be seen around the world as a leader in producing and financing . . . films for children and family audiences," Bristow said. "That's all we do."
The project is based at Shelburne County's new $4-million motion picture production centre in the former CFS Shelburne, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the entrance to Shelburne Harbour. But a great deal of filming will be done at various Shelburne County locations and possibly at some in Yarmouth County. Filming is expected to be completed by mid-June, Bristow said.
Much work will be done at a rural property in Jordan Bay and in the town of Shelburne at a local gas station and a downtown restaurant.
Islands Provincial Park off Highway 3 will be used in a variety of scenes. The park does not open for the season until May 18 and the Natural Resources Department says its opening will not be delayed.
An abandoned rail line the province owns and now leases to two community groups will also be used in the film, department spokeswoman Angela Campbell said.
Producers are still searching for a suitable beach to use in horse race scenes, she said.
"This is . . . a $9-million (Cdn) film," Bristow said. "We like to believe that we can create a much more expensive-looking movie than what we will spend."
Virginia's Run will carry a rating of either G or PG, he said.
Principal actors have found comfortable accommodations in the Shelburne area and have been acquainting themselves with the town, Bristow said.
Canadian actor Kevin Zegers of Air Bud and Titans fame and Rachael Scarsden from Toronto will also star.
"Rachael and Kevin and Lindze have daily been seen riding at the stables on Anne Street, taking their riding lessons," Bristow said.
Virginia's Run is the first production to be filmed at the new soundstage.
"They've really gone out of their way to make the studio work for us," Bristow said of the Southwest Shore Development Authority.
"We certainly couldn't have people any more helpful and that's been great."
Several Nova Scotians are expected to be used in a variety of ways on the film.
"Our wrangler is from Nova Scotia," Bristow said. "I would say probably only eight to 10 people, aside from actors, will be coming in from outside of the province."
Extras are still being sought for the film and anyone interested in applying may call the casting office at 875-4596 or visit the office in Enterprise Square in downtown Shelburne. (More on Gabriel Byrne)