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Dark Sunrise wraps up shoot on Baptiste Lake

July 22, 2015

By Nate Smelle

Independent filmmakers Hillary Phillips and Greg Gibbons recently wrapped up the filming of their suspense, horror, thriller movie Dark Sunrise after a two-week shoot at the Sunrise Lodge on Baptiste Lake. As the owners of the Lodge Phillips and Gibbons have wanted to transform the resort into a movie set since they purchased the property 15 years ago. With such a beautiful and natural setting and so much creative talent to tap into in North Hastings Gibbons said the location could not have been more perfect.
“It’s so cool having so much talent available so close,” said Phillips.
“We’re using Bancroft as much as possible. We have already been shooting in town, we’ve used local actors , we’ve used the brewery. The whole idea is to keep it as local as possible. The musicians are from the Bancroft area too, so the whole score plus the children you will hear singing are local.”
Working with Katherine Wishlow from the Bancroft Bed-and-Breakfast to arrange auditions in town last September, Phillips and Gibbons selected seven local actors to join the cast of 26. Making the cut were Sharon Ings, Patricia Whitlaw, Daniel Hyland Michael Wendt, Kirk Bates, Clarissa Newman and Sydney and Carson Winmill. Gibbons also joins the cast in the role of Dan.
While much of the production remains shrouded in secrecy to maintain the element of suspense, a brief description of the movie can be found on the production’s website at www.darksunrisefilms.com. Recently divorced, Dan takes his two daughters Maddy (Nicole Girt) and Rachel (Mrsa Duka) away on vacation in hopes of reconnecting with them. More interested in texting her new boyfriend and hanging out with her friends Taylor (Caroline Biedka) and Jenna (Lauren Knight) the family trip takes a dark turn when a menacing creature, part human, part unknown entity invades the innocent world of the girls with disastrous results.
“The time has gone by really fast but its been a lot of fun,” said Knight.
“We have spent a lot of time in the woods at night and around the bonfire. It’s kind of like being on vacation while working at the same time.”
“It’s a very beautiful place,” added Biedka.
“The sunsets on the water are gorgeous. I’m looking forward to coming back for the screening in town.”
Production manager Kate Wallis told Bancroft This Week they plan to screen the film at the Bancroft Village Playhouse upon its release. Thrilled with the support they have received from the community Phillips and Gibbons are looking forward to telling the rest of the story. I would like to send a special thanks to: Ray Krupa for his support through the Indiegogo campaign; the Bancroft Theatre Guild for their website support; Pippa Strachan and Daniel Boileau from Black Fly Theatre for their work is talent scouts and with website support; Miriam Hookings for her help in making connections with the Bancroft community and Lisa Grootenboer for editing the proof of concept for the film.