The cast of the new film Faith, Family and Football includes Eddie McClintock, Christian Dattilo, Addison Dattilo, who plays St. Mary's football coach Jody Mort, and Larry Orton, who plays coach Bill Hamlin. It will be done. (Photo provided)
ST. MARY'S — The creators of a film about the St. Mary's community and its connection to high school football are eager for the community to see it.
“Faith, Family and Football” The film is being produced by JCFilms Studios and is in post-production after filming in St. Mary's and other locations this fall.
“There is a rough idea.” Jason Campbell, president of JC Films, said: “We still have one or two pick-up scenes to do.
“The movie looks good. Everything about us is that we want to represent our school and Pleasants County in the best way possible. We just took the time to create something very special.” That’s where I am.”
They are considering releasing the film in late spring or early summer, with a premiere planned for the St. Mary's community before being released on their own platform, JC+, and then on Amazon's streaming service. It is scheduled to be published.
“Faith, Family and Football” 'Jody Mort' is about Jody Mort, who has coached St. Mary's football for more than 20 years, including after a stroke in 2014 led him to work with special needs students. This is a story about Mort.
Although the film is set in modern times, it contains many flashbacks to the days of coach Bill Hanlin.
In 1963, St. Mary's, coached by Hanlin, went unbeaten and scoreless in 10 games. He became the head football coach at Glenville State University (now the University) in 1966, where he spent nine seasons, leading the Glenville Pioneers to an undefeated regular season in 1973.
Hanlin, who passed away in April 2019, retired as executive director of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission in 1988 and led St. Mary's to its first state football championship in 2016.
The cast includes Eddie McClintock as Jody Mort, Julie Wallace DeClavone as Mandy Mort, and Larry Orton as Coach Bill Hanlin. Actor Dean Cain and former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon also appear in the film.
“Working in Pleasants County has been really great.” Campbell said.“It’s a great community that takes film seriously.”
Not only Mote-san and the soccer team participated, but also local people.
“There are some really talented actors and actresses from Parkersburg who live in this area, and they were a part of that.” Campbell said. “It was a really good group.
“We look forward to producing more films in the region.”
The film is part of a new initiative in which JCFilms, along with Cain, will travel to each county in West Virginia to create faith and family films based on stories and events that occur in specific areas. “Faith, Family and Football” ” is one of the first films of this new initiative.
They have already performed in Lewis, Upshur and Harrison counties. This summer, they will be filming in Doddridge, Calhoun and Webster counties.
“We go to these counties and find really cool, unique things that are unique to those counties.” Campbell said. “We're trying to make a movie around that story.”
Upshur is home to a town called Buckhannon, where the company used several film locations. The film was based on a story about a Lewis County bank robbery in the 1800s.
When it comes to Pleasants County, they have found a close connection between the community and the high school football program.
“The more time I spent there, the more I realized the importance of football in St. Mary's and Pleasants County.” Campbell said. “We also saw how important Coach Mort was to our team and community and as a special needs educator.
“I think people are going to see a great community come together to support the football program and our young people. I think the title of the film, 'Family Faith and Football,' is a perfect fit for Pleasants County.”
The production had the assistance and cooperation of local authorities, including the Pleasants County Commission.
“They were the first to say, 'Let's do this for the community.'” Campbell said.
Committee Chair Jay Powell was thrilled to be able to work with the production team to bring the project to life.
“It was certainly a special experience to have a Christian film produced here in Pleasants County and based on a part of our history within our community,” he said. ”Although we have been told many times by the producers that this movie is not 100% factual, it is based on true stories from throughout our history and the filmmakers are proud to support our community. The choice was a huge blessing. ”
Many in the community are looking forward to the movie's release.
“We look forward to seeing the finished product later this year and are truly grateful for the opportunity that JC Films has given Pleasants County.” Powell said. “We look forward to seeing what God will do with Christian films like this and feel really blessed that our community has the opportunity to be a part of something so special.” .”
Campbell credits the community with coming up with the old cars, bikes and wardrobes.
“The community really came together and worked together to make it all very believable.” He said.
Other things like locations that may no longer exist or other aspects of the film. “The magic of movies” Campbell said.
West Virginia has many locations and natural beauties that can represent specific eras, past and present, and that can be showcased in your work.
“The purpose of this program is to show a side of the state that many people don't associate with the state.” Campbell said.
He said many movies set in West Virginia feature hillbillies and opioids.
“This state is full of families and faith, but also technology and education.” Campbell said. “Faith is important, family is important, football is important. I think this film will help people see what's really missing in our culture right now in West Virginia.”
He hopes films like the one they're doing will help change the way people view West Virginia.
“Movies change culture” Campbell said. “Movies tell us what a place is like. We hope the West Virginia-made films we're producing will change the narrative of our state.”
“I think they hit a home run here.”
Powell hopes the story conveys a sense of community spirit.
“Only the good Lord above would have organized a small portion of Hollywood to come to Pleasants County to film movies that the world would have a chance to experience.” He said. “Only time will tell what God will do with this film, but for now I can testify that it has been a very wonderful experience for our little community.”
Contact Brett Dunlap at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.
