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Carole Mikita Reporting Halestorm Entertainment, which produced a number of LDS films, including 'Singles Ward', 'The R.M.' and 'The Home Teachers', is making its first feature film outside the genre.
The first film from Halestorm's sister company, Stone Five Studios, is in production. It's a comedy about a Jewish family and traditions, titled 'Beau Jest'.
The producers can't insure success, but hiring a couple of Academy Award nominees will help.
Lainie Kazan, 'Beau Jest': "I think it will appeal to all people of all religions, all races. It's time we had some films like this, it's why I did My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, because it was in this vein, in this genre."
Seymour Cassel""
The studio may be new, but the set isn't. Many of you who watched the television show 'Everwood' will recognize it. A new coat of paint, new furniture and they're ready to go. When the series was canceled last May, David Newton, the film's executive producer and mayor of West Jordan, approached 'Everwood's' crew. They agreed.
David Newton, Exec. Prod., 'Beau Jest': "If you can get these out of here in the next two days, you can have 'em, which we did. We started out with something very good."
Then he got the screen rights to a hugely successful play. They also have Utah's experienced crew and top notch actors like Willie Garson, who hopes the message gets delivered.
Willie Garson, 'Beau Jest': "About people, loving people regardless of who they are, rather than what they represent. Whether they're Jewish or not Jewish or, it doesn't matter. I think the more of this stuff that we can put out in the world right now is probably not a bad thing."
It's the very reason Halestorm and its sister company, Stone Five Studios, is branching out.
Stone Five Studios hopes to release 'Beau Jest' next spring.
