For the past 2 years, we've been talking a lot about how Darren Aronofsky's THE WHALE was working in the Hudson Valley. Filming took place primarily on the soundstage at Umbra of Newburgh and on location in New Paltz. The cast features Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton and Hong Chau, who previously worked in the region on DRIVEWAYS, which filmed mostly in Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park. Many local crew members were hired to work on the project including 'legendary' key grip Mitch Lillian. Other locals working G&E included Jimmy DeMarco (rigging gaffer), Jack Lillian (B camera dolly grip), Greg Meola (grip), Kimberly Sauer (add'l digital imaging technician), Anthony Stracquadanio (grip), Todd Sullivan (lead shop electrician). Other crew members included Rachaell Dama (costume supervisor), Michele Elise (tailor), Michelle Bayreuther (set medic), Tony Glazer (stage manager), Summer Crockett Moore (stage manager). Hilary Greer (HBG Casting) was in charge of background actors.
THE WHALE is the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.
The Film Commission was first contacted by Protozoa Pictures in May of 2020. As with many other Film & TV productions in 2020, Covid-19 created delays, but eventually cast and crew got to work. Samson Jacobson managed location issues including parking at SUNY New Paltz, which the film commission helped out with. In 2015, we had worked with Samson with hopes of bringing Aronofsky's MOTHER (starring Jennifer Lawrence) to Barrytown. The project ended up in Canada. Additional regional work included post production work, specifically sounds effects editing, which was handled by Coll Anderson of C.A Sound in Bearsville. Coll has worked extensively with Aronofsky over the years. In 2013, the film commission helped gather some voice extras so C.A Sound could record effects for NOAH. Prior to that, he had worked on BLACK SWAN, which won 5 Oscars.
THE WHALE, which world premiered to raves at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2022, opens in theaters today, including at the AMC Crystal Run in Middletown.
In other news, the trailer is out for WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS; another great project that filmed in the Hudson Valley. The limited HBO series was directed and executive produced by David Mandel and created, written and executive produced by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck.Watch the trailer online at https://tinyurl.com/whptrailer
Based on the 2007 book Integrity: Good People, Bad Choices, and Life Lessons from the White House by Egil Krogh and Matthew Krogh, WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS tells the story of E. Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux), the two masterminds behind the Watergate scandal who accidentally sabotaged Richard Nixon’s presidency despite their futile attempts to protect his reputation.
The Hudson Valley Film Commission provided some support for locations, crew, cast and vendors. Filming took place throughout the region including Albany, Beacon, Dover Plains, Garrison, Hurley, Kingston, Millbrook, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie (city & town), Rhinebeck, West Park and several other locations.
WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS is coming to HBO March 2023.
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