Low-Budget Horror Movie To Film Near Decatur Next Month
The director of "Prosper" calls it "Scream" meets "The Exorcist."
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A horror movie will shoot scenes next month in the Decatur area.
Deronte Smith has written and is directing "Prosper," which he calls "Scream" meets "The Exorcist." Filming of the trailer has been under way recently near the Alpharetta Athletic Club.
The movie's publicist, Pekhtereva Anastasia, said in an email:
A key location in the movie, the witch's house, is going to be shot on location at Per Muu Massage in Decatur. We've had numerous rehearsals and location scouts there to date. We begin production in February for which we will be shooting there for the duration of 10 days. We have three crew members who are Decatur residents as well.
Originally from Campbellsville, KY, Smith has been producing films and working on smaller projects such as music videos, commercials and public service announcements for 12 years.
"I've been looking for the right project for my directorial debut," Smith said. "I decided over the summer, it seemed that the horror genre seemed to be the best platform to break in as a new director."
Smith said a multi-pronged distribution strategy is in place. He's working on securing a distribution deal with Relativity Media and another major distributor, with a DVD deal as a fallback.
"Prosper" is classed as an ultra-low budget film by SAG standards, which means it costs les than $250,000 to produce. How much below that is being kept private.
What he and his team are doing even before the film's principal shooting starts is aggressively building a promotional campaign online before the film's release, using help from the actors. He's trying to replicate the success patterns for "Blair Witch" and "Paranormal Activity."
"We've already developed a following on our Facebook page," Smith said two weesk after the Facebook page launched. The insights show "We've touched 45,000 people already."
Smith wants a premier at the Fox Theater.
The film has become a bit of a family affair for the property owners of the former horse farm where the film is being shot.
Mike and Shari Staines first got involved when their son, Blake, auditioned for a role. He got a part in the film, and his mother emailed Smith that the family had always talked about their plantation style home being creepy, being so far back into the woods.
Smith brought his location scout with him to their home, which is between Birmingham and Hopewell roads.
But not only is Blake and the home part of the film. Another son is serving as a snake wrangler. Smith saw the dozen snakes he had as pets, and that added another element to the film. When one of "Prosper's" lead actors turned out to be squeamish around snakes, he even got picked to be a body double.
Their daughter takes her turn as an extra, as an apparition in an exterior ghost scene.
The family's flock of Jacobs sheep, a primitive, multi-horned breed, have become part of the movie.
Other ties to the Alpharetta area include:
- Larry Mainland, who has appeared in "Walking Dead;
- Walnette Santiago, who plays the role of "Holly" in the film;
- Sherrie Tomlinson, whose acting studio, Blueprint for Hollywood, is in Dunwoody
The 13 cast members and 26 company employees, including film crew, will be spending time in the area around the location shooting. The economic effect multiplies, Smith said, where "if the film is successful, folks want to come in and just be part of that area."
Want to become part of "Prosper?" The producers are seeking contributions through crowd sourcing, suggesting donations from $5 to $2,500. (I'm sure they'll take bigger contributions.) Make a top tier donation and you'll be in a major scene in the film. Or you can work for a day on set as an assistant. Even $5 will get you a downloadable copy of the film when it goes to DVD.
We've come to the end of the story, so you know what's next: the credits!
Cast: April Hollingsworth, Davien Harlis, Nicholas Wolfe, Shayla Love, Anastasia Pekhtereva, Walnette Santiago, Renier Cortes , Samme William, Diva Tyler, Garrick Parks, Susan D'Angelo, Addy Miller, Blake Cooper, Jade Nicolette
Producers: Deronte Smith, William Bearyman, Renonda Anderson, Chris Miller
Deronte' Smith
1:32 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thanks for the write up Ralph! Looking forward to having you on the set!
Shayla Love
2:51 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Shayla Love here aka "Sam" in the film = ) BEYOND SUPER excited about doing the film for about 37 reasons but here's 2 of them: It's my first horror film *screams* AAANNND I'm working with an amazing cast and crew!
Susan D'Angelo
3:16 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hey guys Susan D'Angelo here, an "officer" in PROSPER. I am so grateful to have this role for many reasons. I've been a Roswell housewife, with many different jobs over the years, and recently found a passion for acting. This role definately stretches who I am personally while giving a dramatic flair. You can view a taste of my role in a video on the facebook page Prosper-TheMovie . Hope you "like" the page and follow us because we couldn't have a better cast, crew and Director . Oh and I LOVE horror movies, good ones that is.
Diva Tyler
6:10 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
BTW, The cast and crew of "Prosper" are phenomenal
Diva Tyler
6:11 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hi, I'm Diva Tyler, I have been in the field of stage acting for over 25 years, I recently transitioned over into Television and Film with my first role on HBO's TV Show "EastBound and Down" with Will Ferrell (Feb 26th & March 4th @ 10pm)and Disney's "Until We Meet Again" with Coutney Vance, Both are comedy roles. I felt I really needed to stretch myself as an actor and create an awareness that I am able to perform in and beyond the scope of comedy and acting in the horror movie "Prosper" is just the thing to expand my skills, I will be performing the role of the Haitian Spiritualist, "Coleman"" you have to watch the movie to see what I experience in "PROSPER", The Horror Movie...BE VERY AFRAID!!!! hahahahahaha!!!!
Deronte' Smith
8:41 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Shayla, Susan and Diva are all terrific actors! You will soon see for yourselves in Prosper. Also, we are exploring ways of getting the local Decatur community involved. We have a budget (as mentioned) but use reduced rates for things like catering, dry cleaning, craft services and more. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at prosperproducer@gmail.com. Many thanks for the support!
Mary Jervis
8:06 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
This is exciting for me, being a non-actor. I can see how things get done and how they pick just the right person for a particular role, etc. I wish everyone tons of luck because it really looks good.
Deronte' Smith
12:25 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thank you Mary! We appreciate your kind words and well wishes, please share your knowledge of the film with friends, co-workers and family. If you have any talents, skill, trade or craft you would be interested in contributing please contact my producer at the email above and maybe your name can appear in the credits too. Best!
Renier Cortes
12:56 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hey Hey!!! Its Your boy Renier Cortes Here Fellow Movie Fanaticz!!! =-) I'll be Playing Leo Mendez In This Crazy Cool Horror Flick and Let me tell you to just Hold on tight because we are about to Explode!! =-) We Have a Quality Cast Crew and a Visionary of a Director!!! =-) Thanks Ralph!!!! =-)
Deronte' Smith
1:17 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Folks you really have to check out Renier's behind the scenes footage - hilarious stuff!! Great job man! See: http://youtu.be/wCi60dgl9Ns
Sam Green
1:30 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hi to All readers. My name is Sam Green, the Assistant Director of Prosper. I just wanted to take a moment to say that we appreciate all the support so far. Continue to follow us as we move into production in the coming weeks.
Prosper has an intense script that will literally have you on the edge of your seat and hands in front of your eyes. Watch This Space!
Deronte' Smith
1:46 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sam is an awesome 1st AD - he really has my back! Great work, I know you're like me...I'm ready to get into production!
Larry Mainland
8:55 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Larry Mainland here and contrary to what you might have heard, I'm still walking but not dead...at least not yet. Prosper is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! Get the popcorn and bathroom breaks out of the way first, because once it starts, you will NOT be able to move.
shari staines
9:14 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
For those who may not be aware, the above post is by Larry Mainland who will be acting in Prosper. You might know him from many appearances, but most famously (possibly) for his work in The Walking Dead! VERY EXCITING!
This film is blessed with an amazing cast, crew, and director! Stay tuned and be ready to be SCARED!! Like Larry says, get your popcorn and bathroom breaks done with! You'll be too SCARED to go anywhere once it starts. Trust me!
Ondray Woods
1:32 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I am the script supervisor on the this project. This movie is going to be awesome. Just being on set is scary. The concept is deep and it will grab you. Deronte' is a great director. Straight to te business. When this drops it will be a cult and I do mean cult classic.
Jaime Miller
1:56 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Addy can't wait to get back to GA to film her part in this f-r-e-a-k-y s-c-a-r-y movie!! I don't think I will let her watch the whole thing or she'll be sleeping in mommy/daddy's bed for a week+!! Even working on The Walking Dead won't compare to this!!
Deronte' Smith
2:13 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Addy Miller and Larry Mainland, both Walking Dead actors along with Sonya Thompson, have some pretty cool scenes! I'm super excited to have them aboard! Shari Staines and her husband Mike are such wonderful hosts in opening their homes up to us! And 'Dray' Woods helps keep me on my toes so we have solid continuity...keep it up the great job! Thanks all.
Alvin Eric
3:19 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hi my name is Alvin Eric and I am the Art Director for "Prosper" and I have Worked on lots of horror movies before ...Believe me this Movie 'Will pull you out of your seat"!
April Hollingsworth
12:42 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Super excited about the film....I play the villian...moo haha! Great to be working with such a superb team
Nicholas Wolfe
1:13 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I feel a little redundant in saying this but this movie is going to be absolutely blow your socks off stellar. We have such an amazing team and everyone is on the same page and we all want the exact same thing which is: We want to make a killer movie and leave the audience questioning everything.
Moriah Derakhshan
6:33 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My daughter Jade is so excited and honored to be apart of this movie!! Deronte said he could possibly show the kids involved kid friendly clips since the movie is WAY toooo scary for them to see :-) can't wait!