Charlotte Filmmakers to Produce Civil War Short in Giles County
Charlotte Filmmakers to Produce Civil War Short in Giles County
Giles County (February 20, 2018)- Charlotte, NC filmmakers, Chip White and Shea Sizemore, are bringing an army of cast and crew members into the area to tell the love story “Black Dispatch” set within the heart of the Civil War.
Black Dispatch was a “common term used by the Northern Army referring to the intelligence of Confederate movements provided by slaves, trusting that they would earn their freedom,” says Shae Sizemore. This story follows a house slave’s journey as she risks everything to secure freedom for her and her family.
Filming of “Black Dispatch” will take place at Historic Smithfield in Blacksburg and Kairos Resort in Giles County, where Radford University and Auburn High School alumni Shea Sizemore, returns home to write and direct a movie that he believes encompasses an unheralded story from the Civil War.
Producer Chip White, Executive Producer Vanna White’s younger brother, has been pulling in every available resource in Giles County to support the film’s production. Extras, reenactors, restaurants, caterers, hotels, and local crew are all hands on deck to make something as logistically complex and complicated as a movie happen.
“Frank Moseley from the 24th Virginia reenactors, April Danner from Historic Smithfield and Cora Gnegy the Tourism Marketing Director and Film Office Director for Giles County, have all been integral parts of making this movie possible. We are fortunate and excited about the opportunity to capture the beauty of this gorgeous corner of Virginia”, comments Producer Chip White.
The film stars Cranston Johnson, Roxzane T. Mims, Danielle Deadwyler, Danny Vinson and Mark Ashworth as the leads. Caravan Cinema Co. and Stack 3 Productions kick off the shoot on March 1st at Historic Smithfield. Completing filming in Giles at Kairos Resort will occur March 2nd through 4th.
Following production there are plans to offer screening opportunities of the film project in the community. For more information on this project please contact Producer Chip White of Stack 3 Productions at chip@stack3productions.com. For more information about filming or visiting Giles County, please contact Cora Gnegy.
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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079. For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs. For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.