After months spent casting roles and coordinating locations, JC Films has begun shooting “A Promise to Astrid,” a faith-based film to be shot entirely in the Bridgeport community and surrounding areas.

 

Director Jason Campbell said he is excited to get film rolling and thanks residents and business owners for their enthusiasm and generosity.

 

“So many have wanted to be involved and we’ve plugged them in the best we could,” he said. “It takes the right people and, very fortunately, I think we’ve found them.”

 

Among businesses opening their doors to the movie crew is Ford Funeral Home, where filming started this morning. Several locals served as extras in the scene, including business owner Brad Ford and his wife Carol.

 

The scene stars the title character Astrid, played by JoAnn Peterson of Preston County. Peterson has played West Virginia Public Theater roles including Mother Abbess in “The Sound of Music,” Mrs. Darling in “Peter Pan” and Mrs. Eynsford-Hill in “My Fair Lady.”

 

She has also stepped into the roles of characters to include Nellie Bly, Mary Lincoln and Shirley Temple Black for local performances through the West Virginia Humanities Council’s “History Alive!” program and abroad, including the American Embassy in Prague.

 

It was her role of the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, that developed the accent very similar to the Norwegian accent needed to portray Astrid. Having studied horticulture in college, she is also well-versed in gardening, another element of Astrid’s character.

 

In addition to Ford Funeral Home, scenes are being shot today at Clarksburg Public Library, Rocko’s Liquor, Wine and Beer and Bridgeport Middle School.

 

A cookout and film launch celebration was held Sunday at the home of Heather Starkey Mudrick, who not only plays the role of Linda - wife of Dean Cain’s character Pastor Scott – but who has also been instrumental in coordination efforts and has opened her home to out-of-town actors.

 

“I want to thank the whole Starkey family for having us at their home and just the community itself, those opening their homes and businesses and, of course, Bridgeport Police Department and Chief John Walker, which has been wonderful, helping us with road shots,” Campbell said.

 

The film is based on the book “A Promise to Astrid: A True Story,” written by Michael K. Tourville. He is the neighbor of the real-life Astrid, who through a series of anonymous, kind-hearted acts, changed a small western Massachusetts community, which Campbell said is very much like Bridgeport.

 

Campbell said various shots of the city will be included in the film, including some footage of the Bridgeport High School Homecoming Parade, which takes place 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

“The whole film is about community and people within the community,” Campbell said.

 

The crew is filming 10 straight business days in the Bridgeport/Clarksburg area.

 

“Then we’ll take a little break and Dean Cain comes to town and we pick up filming again,” Campbell said.

 

In addition to locals cast in the movie, Campbell said there are about 400 individuals in a database, who will be advised of opportunities to serve as extras throughout the filming process.  

 

“People still have opportunity to go to our Web site and register for the email chain,” Campbell said.

 

Editor's Note: See a few more photos from this morning's shoot at Ford Funeral Home at the gallery link below. 

 

Read more about "A Promise to Astrid" HERE.

View Photo Gallery

JC Films Shoot at Ford Funeral Home