Garden State Film Festival Board Member Margaret Fontana presenting the award for Best of the Shore Encore to Director/Writer Greg Chwerchak and Writer Gabrielle Berberich for "Greetings from the Shore" on the kickoff night of GSFF at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Last night the Garden State Film Festival officially opened with a benefit night for the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, New Jersey and a screening of the Jersey-esque film “Greetings from the Shore” at the Claridge Hotel. The evening started off with NBC news anchor Dara Brown addressing the audience with opening remarks and introducing Robert Taylor, the Director of the Boys & Girls Club.
Garden State Film Festival Board Member Margaret Fontana with NBC News Anchor Dara Brown at GSFF [Photo Courtesy of Margaret Fontana]
The Boys & Girls Club helps children in Atlantic City who meet challenges by providing them with support, mentoring them, and giving them a place to go. 35% of all children under 17 in Atlantic City live in poverty, and the organization is their safety net that provides them with friends and a community that nurtures a safe and supportive environment.
Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr
GSFF Board of Directors Member Margaret Fontana introduces the Q&A session for "Greetings from the Shore" [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr] “Greetings from the Shore”, starring Paul Sorvino, Kim Shaw, and David Fumero was the feature film shown. If you grew up near or regularly visited the Jersey shore, there are so many familiar scenes in the movie serving as a backdrop for a very relatable storyline circling around a summer romance and gives you a peek inside a summer at the beach.
Barnacle Bill’s mini golf, gazebos, Route 35, and of course the boardwalk all lend nostalgia to the coastal area (especially for me since I grew up across the bridge in Toms River, which is very close to Lavallette).
Writer Gabrielle Berberich and Director/Writer Greg Chwerchek answering audience questions after the screening of their film "Greetings from the Shore" [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
“We shot before Hurricane Sandy. 90% of the locations are gone now after the hurricane. So many people watched the movie after Sandy and said ‘Thank you for making this film,” said writer Gabrielle Berberich at the Q&A session.
Many locals volunteered to be extras in the half-a-million dollar budgeted movie.
GSFF Board Member Margaret Fontana with Director Greg Chwerchek post award presentation [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Writer Gabrielle Berberich with her GSFF Award for Best of the Shore Encore “People didn’t believe we shot in New Jersey,” continued Berberich. “They asked, ‘Where did you shoot? In Malibu?' reflecting on some of the beautiful sunset and ocean scenes in the film. “Now it’s played all over the world. It’s really exciting to have a postcard of New Jersey out there.”
One of the challenging aspects of filming a seasonal movie like this one is to not be affected by the influx of thousands in the height of the summer since the Jersey shore is such a hotspot. Any native notices right away that beaches and surrounding areas in the scenes aren’t quite as crowded as it would be in prime time summer.
Director/Writer Greg Chwerechek shared “We started filming at Labor Day and filmed in September right through October. We had to get special permission and wait until the season was over.” So although it looks like summer on screen, the actors were taking plunges into 45 degree water and freezing in bikinis on the beach!
One of the challenging aspects of filming a seasonal movie like this one is to not be affected by the influx of thousands in the height of the summer since the Jersey shore is such a hotspot. Any native notices right away that beaches and surrounding areas in the scenes aren’t quite as crowded as it would be in prime time summer.
Director/Writer Greg Chwerechek shared “We started filming at Labor Day and filmed in September right through October. We had to get special permission and wait until the season was over.” So although it looks like summer on screen, the actors were taking plunges into 45 degree water and freezing in bikinis on the beach!
GSFF Board Member Margaret Fontana and Writer Gabrielle Berberich leave the stage post Q&A [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
“Greetings from the Shore” won the Best of Shore Encore Award, presented by Garden State Film Festival Board Member Margeret Fontana.
The showroom at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ is just one of the viewing venues for films at the Garden State Film Festival [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Director of the Garden State Film Festival Diane Raver - the whirlwind of energy behind the weekend [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr] At almost every corner turned, you can encounter cast and crew from the multitudes of movies being screened over four days. Filmmakers from Los Angeles to England and around the world are gathering for a “Great Gatsby” of parties, dinners, readings, screenings and more, all converging with the Atlantic City Beer Fest at the same time! What a weekend! Stay tuned for more star-studded moments right here!
You can purchase tickets to events and screenings at gsff.org
Cast and crew of the feature film "The Antwerp Dolls" with me (TheLadyinRed) last night. They ventured to NJ all the way from England to attend the Garden State Film Festival! [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Meeting the men behind "The Antwerp Dolls" movie last night at GSFF. [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
"The Antwerp Dolls" movie cast and crew at GSFF [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Smile! :) GSFF volunteer Rachel is mid-moment capturing photos. [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
GSFF Director Diane Raver (middle) greeting guests at the festival. [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
The volunteers who help make it all happen at GSFF. [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
Los Angeles Director Robert Rothbard of "The Painting" attends the benefit night at GSFF [Photo Credit: Patrick Zehr]
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TheLadyinRedBlog will be covering red carpet events, cocktail parties, after parties, and the awards dinner at the Garden State Film Festival. Look for updates here on TheLadyinRedBlog.com and
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