The Donaldsonville Chief

Although set in South Carolina, the crew chose Donaldsonville as the filming location because of the beautiful historic district. Almost every scene in the movie will be filmed in Donaldsonville, and crews will be hard at work for the next three weeks. A store on Railroad Avenue, the courthouse, and Gaston’s Pub are some local spots that can be seen in the film.

It’s lights, camera, action in Donaldsonville. Crews are currently at work filming an independent movie titled “Rightful.” Screenwriter Stephen George said the movie tells the story of two black men who were wrongfully executed and come back from the dead to avenge their deaths and save the land they left behind.

The film is based in part on a true story. George said that two farmers were accused of murdering a Civil War veteran in 1913 and put to death by the electric chair. They were exonerated for the crime 100 years after their deaths.

That part of the story is true, but the movie picks up in modern times when the 138 acres the men owned is set to be sold as a site for a new superstore.

“So these guys come back to right the wrongs that were done against them and get that farm land back,” said George, “It’s a horror/slasher, but we’re taking a true story and putting a little bit of a twist on it.”

Although set in South Carolina, the crew chose Donaldsonville as the filming location because of the beautiful historic district. Almost every scene in the movie will be filmed in Donaldsonville, and crews will be hard at work for the next three weeks. A store on Railroad Avenue, the courthouse, and Gaston’s Pub are some local spots that can be seen in the film.

Director Andre Alfa said many of the crew members working on the film are actually south Louisiana natives. Over 80 percent of the crew are local hires from Gonzales, Donaldsonville, New Orleans, Hammond, and other places. The entire cast and crew are staying in Donaldsonville until filming wraps up.

Alfa said local officials, including Mayor Leroy Sullivan, have been a huge help in getting permits approved and coordinating filming locations and housing.

“They have just welcomed us with open arms, open hearts. They’ve just been incredible with everything we needed, even things we didn’t know we needed that they anticipated,” said Alfa, “It was above and beyond.”

Alfa said that’s another reason D’ville won out over other potential locations. He said they considered filming parts of the movie in Baton Rouge. That was until a few weeks ago when their first location scout met with local officials who helped ensure the operation runs as smoothly as possible.

Once filming is complete, the movie will air in local theaters as well as in film festivals across the state. It will also be available on digital platforms like iTunes. Hard copies can also be purchased, which will include a documentary on the making of the film called “Making it Right.”

For more information on “Rightful,” visit RightfulTheMovie.com. Click on an image for more.

By Halen Doughty

Nov 6, 2017

Photography by Miguel Barillas Photography

The Donaldsonville Chief

If you’ re not a Belieber, you still may have seen Storm in her work as a dancer in numerous box office hits. She’s graced the screen on “High School Musical,” “Step Brothers,” and “Glee” as a dancer in some of the break out songs.

Horror, suspense, drama, and a cast of lovely ladies - “Rightful” has it all. The independent film currently in the making in Donaldsonville features some bright young stars. Four women star in the production that’s sure to be a horror hit, and you may know some of the cast.

Up-and- coming actress Ashley Whelan plays the lead role, Lyndsy. It’s her first lead role in a feature film, but you’ve probably seen her on screen before. She’s landed some major commercial gigs for Samsung, Best Buy, Lincoln, and Volkswagen, just to name a few. She’s also made appearances in music videos with music icons like Keith Urban.

Whelan attended the College of Charleston for theatre and communications. She’s also done improv in Austin and taken acting classes in Los Angeles. She’s worked as a writer and producer for her own short films. Taking on a lead in a film is a new challenge she said she’s excited to take on.

Whelan said that in the movie Lyndsy is broke after losing her job. Things seem too good to be true when she learns she’s inherited a piece of land that could put some money in her pocket. The star explained her character is suspicious but excited about the prospect. Whelan described her character as kind and determined, cautious and strong, and cool and casual. She said Lyndsy is here to figure out what’s going on.

Lyndsy’s best friend in the film is Sarah, played by Aubree Storm. For Justin Bieber fans, Storm needs no introduction. You may have seen her dancing on stage with Bieber as the pop sensation traveled the country on tour. She said things worked out perfectly when the mega star cut his fall tour short, giving her the chance to take on the role of Sarah in the film.

If you’ re not a Belieber, you still may have seen Storm in her work as a dancer in numerous box office hits. She’s graced the screen on “High School Musical,” “Step Brothers,” and “Glee” as a dancer in some of the break out songs.

Storm said her character is the responsible big sister of the group who’s trying to make sure nothing goes awry. This leading role in a horror film is certainly a stark contrast to her other roles in happy musical numbers. Storm said she’s most excited about some of the scarier scenes in the film, when she’ll get a chance to put her stunt experience to use running from the bad guys.

The film’s comic relief comes from twins Jamie and Chloe, played by Carmen Pitts and Sara Morgan. Pitts was working as a stand in on BET’s “The Quad” when she got a call from her agency about the part. A little over a year later, she landed the major role.

The horror role is a far cry from her musical theatre experience, and taking on a leading part is vastly different than working as a stand in. Pitts said it’s a fun change to be the one receiving direction and getting hair and makeup done, as opposed to watching from the sidelines.

Pitts described her character as a self-centered fashionista who’s obsessed with her phone. Jamie, she said, is not bright and usually makes light of things, an unfortunate character flaw when two angry spirits are out to get you.

Jamie’s twin, Chloe, shares many of those traits, as the two appear to be identical in almost every way. A University of Alabama student, Morgan is putting her acting lessons to good use taking on the role of Jamie’s equally-ditzy sister. Morgan has worked in music videos for artists like Brett Young, as well as commercials for Snapchat and other major corporations.

Morgan is traveling back and forth between Donaldsonville and Huntsville, Ala., to play the city girl who, like her sister, has a hard time putting down her phone. She said Chloe adds a comedic element to an overall intense movie.

Also making an appearance in the film is Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan. He could be seen taking a stroll across St. Patrick’s Street for his cameo in the movie. The filmmakers have said Sullivan and other city officials played a major role in obtaining filming permits and securing housing and site locations. Sullivan will play the mayor of the South Carolina town in which the production is set.

Filming wraps up on November 21. For more information visit RightfulTheMovie.com or follow Rightful the Movie on social media.

By Halen Doughty

Nov 14, 2017

Photography by Miguel Barillas Photography