Film to place Freehold on big screen

By dave benjamin

Staff Writer

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The sounds of "lights, camera, action," will soon be heard in Freehold as plans are in motion to produce an independent film, Grownups, in the heart of Western Mon mouth.

The film is the brainchild of Mitch Galane, a native of Freehold Township who plans to return to his hometown to shoot the movie.

Grownups

is described as a contempo rary romantic comedy about the anxieties of reaching and entering the "thirties" age group and accepting adulthood. No more fantasies about past decades like the 1970s as this New Jersey suburban foursome come to terms with their complacent lives in Freehold.

The fun begins as they attempt to shake things up.

Writing, directing and producing fall into the hands of Galane, writer and co-producer; Doug Finelli, director and co-writer; and Susan R. Rodgers, independent producer. All will be here doing location scouting throughout the township from June 1-8, with plans to shoot the film in August.

Galane, the son of Elaine and Len Galane, grew up in a home on Princess Anne Drive. He attended the West Free hold School, the Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School and is a member of the Freehold Township High School class of 1985.

"While I was growing up, I always wanted to make movies, so I never thought I’d be staying in Freehold," he said. "But after more than a decade in Cal ifornia, I realize all the positives of grow ing up in Freehold. The thing that stands out for me is the friendships. I keep in touch with several good friends from school. We constantly reminisce about the good times and the not-so-good times."

Galane worked at Six Flags Great Ad venture in his high school days and re viewed movies on local television. He left the area to study film and attended Art Center College, Pasadena, Calif., where he met native New Jerseyan Finelli while working on a student film.

Galane, who lives in Los Angeles, said he is proud to have his debut feature film shot in Freehold.

"Maybe I’m just sentimental," he said. "I always have to have one of my friends drive me past the house where I grew up and we always have to go out to eat at one of the pizza places where I spent half of my youth. Growing up in the safe, quiet suburbs played a big part in who I am now."

Finelli was also born and raised in New Jersey. He attended high school at North ern Highlands Regional in Allendale and transferred to Barnstable Academy in Glen Rock. After attending The School Of Visual Arts in New York, he met Galane at Arts Center College.

Finelli worked in advertising and more recently has been involved as a director of television commercials, shooting spots for Nissan and Fruit of the Loom. Grownups will mark Finelli’s feature film directorial debut.

Commenting on the film, Finelli said, "We know a lot about the people in our age group. I’m sure they will be able to re late to this film. We also know a lot about New Jersey. Freehold is the kind of town with which we are familiar."

Rodgers, who was born and raised in the Chicago area, lives in Southern Cali fornia and has produced numerous music videos, narrative films and documentaries.

The production plans for Grownups call for a crew of about 30 and the pro ducer hopes to employ New Jerseyans in addition to local vendors.

"We want to involve local citizens and businesses to lend their support to the pro duction and feel that they are partly re sponsible in creating this wonderful film," Rodgers said.

The producer noted that there will be a need for hotel or motel housing for ap proximately four to eight weeks, car, van and truck transportation, office space, ve hicle storage with 24-hour security, furni ture, props and food services. She can be reached at (323) 464-5508 if any vendors would like to donate items in return for possible credit or would like to speak with her to make arrangements regarding the company’s needs.

Rogers said the community will be kept in mind during the shooting period so that there will be few, if any, disruptions with business or traffic.

"We will notify the community of all filming hours and be flexible in our shoot ing schedule to accommodate the commu nity," the producer added.

Rodgers said a small crew of profes sionals will be hired. However, there will be casting for local actors as extras, ac cording to Rogers.

"It is imperative that the entire film has a distinct Freehold feel to it," said Rodgers. "There will also be a very spe cial credit in the film that reads: Filmed entirely on location in Freehold, New Jer sey and the surrounding communities."