It was about two years ago when my friend and fellow filmmaker, Dan Groom, asked me to accompany him on a site tour for a possible psychological thriller/drama he wanted to direct. The original location was quite impressive, and things seemed to be moving along smoothly. However, as often happens in this industry, there was a change of management, and the opportunity to film at that location disappeared faster than New England weather.

Well over a year ago, Dan mentioned he was looking at another location for Stonegate. Finding locations is one of the biggest challenges for independent filmmakers, so it was just another hopeful prospect. Fortunately, several weeks ago, that location came through: Tewksbury State Hospital. Once he got the green light, I accompanied Dan on a site tour and couldn’t believe the opportunity that awaited this production. In my view, this location was infinitely better than the first choice.

I asked Dan how Stonegate came about. “The idea came in 2020 after filming a music video for a Massachusetts-based band, Audio Vex, in an abandoned mental institution. The bassist at the time, Brian Rukstalis, and I thought it would be cool to come up with a story and film it in the same type of location. Two years later, we were able to secure Tewksbury State Hospital to film in, and they have been amazing to work with.”

Stonegate is primarily set in a mental institution. “A disturbed doctor at a state hospital murders a patient and covers it up. Thirteen years later, Nolan and a group of teens explore the now-abandoned hospital and unintentionally uncover the dark secret. The restless spirit of the patient attaches to Nolan and brings to light the decade-and-a-half-old murder, revealing a much darker truth.”

As soon as Dan was 100% sure he was putting Stonegate into production, he asked me to play one of the pivotal characters in the film – Father Clayton. I was honored. Throughout my entire acting and performance career, I have never played such a complex and interesting character. A priest who stands by his faith while hiding two secrets behind his convictions, which have a revelation that nobody will see coming.

Although I attended the table read earlier in the month and principal photography started a couple of weeks ago, my scenes didn’t start until last weekend. It goes without saying that no matter what side of the camera you are on, there are the usual nerves. As performers, we want to do our job well. It’s one thing to memorize lines and play off imaginary people (or using my cat for eyeline!), but it’s entirely another when you meet your fellow actors and crew and hear that first call to action. Will it work? Will there be chemistry? A million other questions run through one’s mind. But when Dan called “action,” the magic began.

From the moment we started until we wrapped the scheduled scenes last weekend, there wasn’t a moment or a line that was thrown away. Everyone worked hard on their respective craft to ensure the best possible performance on both sides of the camera was achieved. The proof can be found in the photos in this post.

While I applaud the actors, crew, and location partners at Tewksbury State Hospital for their dedication, kudos must be given to Dan Groom for bringing his vision to reality. As a filmmaker, I know and understand the pressures. The drive to do it, the sleepless nights, the endless emails, calls, and situations that arise. But in the end, it is all worth it because something new and exciting is created for all to enjoy.

Next scene.