We had the privilege of being VIP guests of director Harold Cronk and Executive Producer Edgar Struble last Thursday during the premiere of the motion picture “Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy.” The red carpet event was held at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids. The movie was almost exclusively filmed in Mason and Manistee counties.
I remember sitting at Redolencia Coffee Shop in Ludington last spring when Cronk approached me and pitched his idea for the film. As an artist, he starts his ideas by drawing them out. He talked about the adventure of Mickey Matson and his friend Sully as they find clues that help them find pieces of a machine that will make silver out of anything. As with all great film, the movie has a nemesis, played by Dr. Rick Plummer, director of West Shore Community College’s cultural and performing arts. Rick is among other local actors who do an amazing job in the film.
The stars of the film are 15-year-old Derek Brandon from Middleville, Michigan and 14-year-old Francesca DeRosa of California. Judging from their outstanding acting in this film, these two kids have great futures ahead of them. The “big” names in the film were Christopher Lloyd and Ernie Hudson. Christopher Lloyd is best known as “Doc” from the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Ernie Hudson, a Benton Harbor native, is best known in his role in the “Ghostbusters” films.
I spent time on the filming locations in both Manistee and Ludington and also photographed the cast and crew when they visited Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids last week. This is a first class operation which reflects the values of western Michigan. It is a family friendly movie with great cinematography, a good story and top notch acting.
For more photos, check out Alway Photography’s Facebook page. To read more about the movie, check out www.MasonCountyPress.com and www.MickeyMatson.com.
The movie is now playing at all Celebration Cinema sites in Grand Rapids. Please check it out!
– rob
Above, shooting on Manistee Fifth Avenue beach. Below, Cronk, left, talks with Struble during filming in Manistee.
I have to admit, my patience is wearing thin on the cold, rainy/snowy weather we are having in mid-April here in northwestern Michigan. In late March, I can accept it, but I am ready for 50- to 60-degree days. However, as a photographer I appreciate dramatic weather. Sunday’s high winds looked like there was a chance of some drama along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. So, I decided to head up to Manistee to check out what Lake Michigan was doing there. As sunset got closer, the clouds went away (photographers like clouds, they are our friends). I was with my friend/mentor Ron. We drove to First Street beach first and then to Fifth Avenue beach on the north side of Manistee. We almost didn’t get out of the car, because there was no drama. But, a few moments before sunset, we decided we’d give it a try anyway. I actually was pleased with the colors of this sunset which had the character of a summer sunset with a little wave action.