A local director wrapped up shooting a short film Saturday that highlights the beauty of Gerton and the mountains in an epic love story.
"I am still in awe how wonderfully everything went," said first-time director Melanie Star Scot, 49, who lives in Gerton and is a native of Western North Carolina.
"The Box" centers around the love between two teenagers whose lives become torn apart and their dreams shattered during the Civil War. More than 100 years later, a teenage girl finds a box containing items that tie her to the lovers from the past.
The story was mostly filmed in Gerton, where rolling hills and mountain peaks adorn the landscape.
"The mountains are an essential character in this film," Scot said.
Cast and crew filmed scenes at Peaceful Quest Retreat, Bearwallow Baptist Church and Grand Highlands at Bearwallow Mountain, and also in parts of Buncombe County.
Scot said the director of photography, Joe Stauffer, captured the essence of the area.
"He got my vision," she added. "It (the film) is going to be absolutely gorgeous."
About 25 cast and crew were involved in the making of "The Box" last week, and Scot said she was thoroughly impressed how well everyone worked together during the difficult 16-hour days.
"They went above and beyond," she said. "I could not ask for a better cast and crew."
Tim Davis, a Burke County school principal, joined the team as a historical consultant, and John Capone and Chris Roberts with the 26th North Carolina Regiment reenacting unit brought uniforms to add authenticity to the project. Capone's family also joined the cast as extras, Scot said.
Duane A. Sikes executive produced "The Box," and the story and screenplay were written by Kimberly B. Davis.
In addition, Scot's 19-year-old son, David Topp of Gerton, plays the lead male role. His female counterpart in the film, Taylor-Grace Davis, 16, is from Rutherford County.
The film is now in post-production and will be completed by Sept. 17, when Scot enters it in the Sundance Film Festival. Once finished with the festival entry process, Scot hopes to sell copies of the movie online.
Scot has a larger vision for "The Box," which is expected to be 15 to 18 minutes long.
"My ultimate goal is to do well with the short film so we can get financial backing for a feature film," she said. "There is plenty more material."
Scot, who wanted to be in films at a very young age, returned to the field about five years ago, beginning by merely holding a boom mike.
"It took about 45 years to come full circle," she said.
Day-to-day life may have taken over that dream years ago, but now, with a short film under her belt, Scot and her son are taking their production company, Topp Scot Productions LLC, to Los Angeles in August. While there, Scot wants to pursue her filmmaking career as her son follows his dreams as an actor.
Scot said she is saddened to leave Western North Carolina, but is grateful "The Box" will be completed soon.
"We can now take a little piece of the mountains with us," she said.
Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or [email protected].