By Ofelia Saenz, Staff Writer
Long Beach residents will have a homegrown cinematic treat to look forward to next weekend. Friday, June 1, at 8:30 p.m. the Art Theatre, located at 2025 East Fourth Street in Long Beach, will host the Red Carpet Gala for the world premier of “The Wedding Video.”
Shot primarily on location at several Long Beach and Signal Hill establishments, including the Art Theatre, “The Wedding Video” is an independent film co-produced by Long Beach native Linda Palmer and award-winning screenwriter/actor Chris Pentzell.
Told from a variety of perspectives, the movie is a screwball comedy that follows the lives of Chris and Kristen, two young people having second thoughts as they stand on the precipice of marriage, and Virgil, their film-obsessed videographer, who is determined to finish his masterpiece of a wedding video. Virgil will film them as they take the plunge, even if he has to push them himself.
“It’s a very funny comedy,” said Todd Wade, the movie’s director. “It was a little different filming this because you have the wedding video within a movie. It’s a fairly unique film.”
“The Wedding Video” was produced on a shoestring budget (comparatively speaking, in the world of mega-million blockbuster budgets), and Palmer credits the many generous business owners of the area for helping her company, Runaway Productions, get the movie from blank sheet to silver screen.
“Because of local support, we were able to make a great little film for a ridiculously low budget,” Palmer said. “Not only did we shoot at several business locations, but they also played other major roles. The support was phenomenal and very much appreciated.”
Featured in the film were Kiki’s Originals and Bill’s Tuxedo, who helped out by providing some of the wardrobe, while Salon Soma, also in the movie, did hair and makeup for several of the production days. Rossmoor Pastries was not only the setting for a pivotal scene in the movie, the owners also donated all sorts of tasty treats for the hard working cast and crew, as did Belmont Shore’s NY’s Upper Crust Pizzeria.
Other establishments in the movie include Anto’s Cigar Bar, Acapulco Inn, Belmont Athletic Club, Sweet Pea Florist, Gloria Dei Lutheran, The Wedding Store, The Ebell Club, Cardio Beat, Brunswick Bowl and Lakewood Country Club.
In many cases, the business owners even made appearances in cameo shots.
“The Wedding Video” runs Friday, June 1, through Thursday, June 7, at the Art Theatre. Select cast and crew of the movie will be on hand for a question and answer segment following all showings of the film. Special buy-one admit-one-free movie passes can be picked up at Rossmoor Pastries located at 2325 Redondo Avenue in Signal Hill.
The Red Carpet Gala following Friday’s 8:30 p.m. show is open to the public. For a list of other show times, call the Art Theatre at (562) 430-4718 or visit www.atlb.biz.
To view a trailer of “The Wedding Video” or to get more information about the movie or its cast and crew, visit www.weddingvideothemovie.com.
