Message Nathan Gamble
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April 10, 2010
Akron: Filming gets underway for '25 Hill' derby movie
AKRON -- Mayor Don Plusquellic got the filming of "25 Hill" going Wednesday morning when he yelled "Action" for the first take in actor/director Corbin Bersen's new film.
25 Hill is about 11 year-old Trey Caldwell, played by Nathan Gamble, whose dreams of Derby victory fade when his father Thomas, played by Tim Ormundson, is killed fighting in Afghanistan.
But Trey begins to rebuild those dreams with the help of a reluctant hero, a one-time derby champ Roy, played by Corbin Bernsen, who is contending with his own terrible heartbreak.
A deep friendship is forged and wounds are healed under the dim light of a back yard garage, but the duo's hopes are threatened when the Derby's demise appears imminent.
Bernsen was inspired to write the screenplay after reading a story in USA Today in September about the All American Soap Box Derby's financial difficulties.
Since then, Bernsen not only wrote the script but raised $500,000, primarily out of Akron, to fund the film, a venture of Bernsen's independent film company, Team Cherokee Productions.
Although additional funding is needed to complete the movie as planned, Bernsen has faith the money will come through in time to shoot the final scenes at the Derby's international race weekend in Akron in July.
The Derby gets 10 percent of the film's budget as a licensing fee, as well as a portion of future revenues Bernsen hopes the film will help keep the Derby alive for generations to come.
"The Derby is a place for kids to dream, to learn, to connect with their families and each other. We need to fight for America, right now, fight for our traditions," said Bernsen, of his motivation for the film.
"The Derby has a rich history rooted deeply in the American values of simplicity, hard work and limitless vision. We can't lose it."
Despite a record number of racers (ages 8-17), the Derby has lost money three out of the past five years and has been without a title sponsor for three.
The Derby was created during the Great Depression when kids,desperate for cheap entertainment, built cars out of soap boxes and raced them on neighborhood hills.
In addition to Nathan Gamble, Bernsen and Ormundson, the cast features Meg Foster as Roy's wife, Audrey; Ralph Waite from The Waltons TV show, as a seasoned Derby pro; Maureen Flannigan as Trey's mom; Rolanda Watts as Trey's school principal; and Michael Tucker, of "LA Law," as an Akron banker.
A handful of Northeast Ohio actors will have speaking roles and numerous area residents have been cast as extras.
The title "25 Hill" comes from a hill in Taft, California, where Bernsen's mother, actress Jeanne Cooper, grew up.
Part of the story takes place in Taft, but most of the film will be shot in Akron.
The Akron, Ohio-headquartered All-American Soap Box Derby, founded in 1933, is one of the most established grassroots youth and family organizations in the United States.
The Soap Box Derby sanctions races year round in over 150 cities and communities in the U.S. and in six foreign countries.
The annual world championship is held each July at Derby Downs in Akron.
© 2010 WKYC-TV
Source: WKYC.com
