With the right script, a knowledgeable director, a creative cast and crew,
and a dedicated pool of community support, a successful comedy, science fiction, or western movie can be filmed at an unconventional location. Meet three local filmmakers who recently put their movies in the can in Evansville.
m ov i e
old days kim waltrip
p rod uce r
wr it er / d i r e cto r
michael rosenbaum
Eric Rosenbaum, Bradley Stonesifer, and Sandy S. Solowitz
c o -p ro d u c e r s
Synopsis After an unsatisfying acting career in Hollywood, main character Jim Owens (Michael Rosenbaum) is in desperate need of a getaway. Eager to attend his 15-year high school reunion, Owen retreats to his small, Midwestern hometown in Indiana. Back on the set of his old life, the 30-something-year-old creates a bit of chaos in this endearing, comedic, often brash tale of a man’s quest for happiness, leading his buddies on a journey of revenge against their abusive high school principal and reconnecting with an old high school flame, Lori, played by science fiction television star Morena Baccarin. Rated R, the film’s consistent flow of sophomoric humor creates a wealth of golden comedic, and sneakily sentimental moments, with star comedians Nick Swardson, Harland Williams, Sarah Colonna, and Isaiah Mustafa. Even singer/songwriter Richard Marx of 1980s top single fame hung out with the cast during filming, shooting a short cameo and offering some of his best songs for the film.
Background Writer, director, and leading actor, Rosenbaum wore many hats in the production of “Old Days,” expected to premier in April 2013. Known for his seven-year stint as Lex Luthor in the Superman-inspired television series “Smallville,” a leading role in Touchstone Pictures’ comedy “Sorority Boys,” and a role in Touchstone’s “Bringing Down the House,” the 40-year-old Newburgh, Ind., native is adding to an already impressive Hollywood resume with his new film. Collaborating with producer Kim Waltrip — who produced the newlyreleased movie “Hit & Run,” featuring Rosenbaum and starring Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Bradley Cooper, and Tom Arnold — Rosenbaum brought a bit of Los Angeles glamour to his hometown, where
he and his 82-member cast and crew spent 22 days filming from March 12 to April 2. “Michael could rule the world,” says Waltrip. “And maybe we’d all laugh more if he did. He’s smart, dedicated, and his work ethic is unstoppable. He’s a realist. It’s very difficult for a director to ‘cut’ his or her baby, but Michael knows that a comedy can’t be too long. This makes him a smart director and one that producers and distributors will want to work with over and over again.”
HOMETOWN BOYS: Brothers Michael and Eric Rosenbaum chose Lombard Avenue for the set of one scene in “Old Days.” Below, video village is where monitors are set for the director, hair and makeup, wardrobe, and the art department to check the shots.
Evansville Living: Based loosely on your life growing up in Newburgh, why was it so important to shoot “Old Days” in your hometown? Michael Rosenbaum: The reason I chose to shoot in Indiana is because it’s beautiful. I just EvansvilleLiving.com September | October 2012 39