On the outside, the house at 109 N. Washington St. appears to be just another vacant space for lease along M-24.
But inside, there’s something sinister and supernatural going on. A mesmerist has taken control of a deceased old man’s soul.
And it seems the only thing in the world that can stop this shady fellow is a director yelling, ‘Cut!?
Downtown Oxford is currently experiencing a bit of movie magic as the Michigan-based independent production company, Legend of the Hawk Productions, is currently filming ‘The Mesmer? in the house owned by Lapeer resident Chuck Schneider and his wife, Diane Flis-Schneider.
‘It’s basically an update and rewrite of a lesser known Edgar Allen Poe story,? said Garden City resident Michael Sneed, who wrote the screenplay and is directing the short film, which he expects to be 18-20 minutes long.
Written in 1845, the Poe story is called ‘The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.?
‘When you talk to people, no one remembers that one except real Poe fans,? Sneed noted. ‘When people say the name Edgar Allen Poe, that’s the first story that leaps to my mind. That story just stuck with me all these years. I’ve never forgotten it.?
‘It’s basically the story of an old man who’s about to die,? he explained. ‘This dubious mesmerist comes in at the last minute, mesmerizes him and keeps control of his mind and soul after this poor fellow’s body is no longer functioning.?
Coined in the 19th century, mesmerism was a pseudo-science in which hypnotic induction was believed to involve animal magnetism. The process later developed into what we know today as hypnosis.
Sneed is playing the old man while actor George Pagocich, portrays the mesmerist, Dr. Persaud.
According to Sneed, the story is really about the dilemma faced by the old man’s son John, played by Tim Oestriech. He doesn’t believe in mesmerism, but nevertheless, he has some difficult choices to make.
‘I don’t want to give too much of it away,? Sneed said.
The film’s action involves three time periods ? 1940s, 1990s and present day.
Shooting began Jan. 22 and is expected to be completed sometime this weekend.
Sneed plans to enter the short film in festivals and competitions at the local, national and possibly international levels.
He also hopes to have it screened at other venues as well.
‘There are a growing number of showings of Michigan films at places like the Main Art or Maple Art theaters (in Royal Oak and Bloomfield Hills, respectively),? Sneed said. ‘Some local TV stations are starting to show Michigan work. Film in Michigan is a really hot thing right now.?
In addition to providing the film’s location, Flis-Schneider is providing all of the movie’s props and serving as the set designer and decorator. ‘It’s my job to make the script come alive,? she said.
Most of the props are owned by Flis-Schneider with the exception of a fireplace mantle that’s on loan from downtown’s Williams Art Glass Studio (22 N. Washington St.).
This is the second film project Flis-Schneider’s been involved with. She got bitten by the movie bug back in the summer when she rented props for a Rob Reiner movie called ‘Flipped? that was filmed in Ann Arbor and downtown Manchester last summer.
Now, Flis-Schneider wants to get into the business.
‘I’m trying to get a union card as a set decorator and a set designer,? she said.
She must work a certain number of hours before she can be sponsored at the union hall. The card costs about $1,300.
Once she gets her card, Flis-Schneider has no plans to move to Hollywood.
‘I’d love to work here in Michigan and I hope the industry stays here in Michigan,? she said. ‘I hope our legislature continues to support this. It’s done a wonderful job of employing a lot of people.?
Sneed agreed.
‘I know the film incentives thing is quite the big, heated debate, but I think in our terribly depressed economy, it’s kind of holding people up a little bit,? he said.
In addition to luring Hollywood people and films to the state, Sneed said Michigan’s burgeoning movie industry is helping develop local talent.
‘The really great thing about what’s going on in Michigan now is that there’s a lot of good crew people coming out of the schools and actors are getting experience,? he said. ‘There’s some really good actors around here. You don’t have to go to L.A. or New York to find an actor.?
Besides helping her own career, Flis-Schneider saw this film as an opportunity to help stimulate the local economy a little bit.
‘I went to all the Oxford restaurants, got menus and put together a binder so people working on the film can get something to eat. I’m encouraging them to patronize our Oxford restaurants.?