‘Ghost Town’ producer extends thanks for help with film
I wanted to take this time to write the editor and thank a few folks in helping make the movie “Ghost Town” in Maggie Valley and Canton.
First, there are so many people to thank locally that I cannot possibly name them all. Maggie Valley, Canton, and Haywood County are full of very nice and helpful people. I will specifically name a few that should be mentioned and others that would only want mention in the end credits of the film. Johnny Conner a local helped us in ways that cannot be explained or repaid. He and his friends were on set everyday wrangling horses and chickens. He is a wonderful person.
Linda Taylor, a local Maggie Valley resident and business person gave so much to the production. She provided homes for the Hollywood talent and I might add that they were very nice homes. She never asked for anything in return. Smackers Restaurant and J Authurs Restaurant provided a nice environment for our folks to dine. Camp Adventure in Lake Junaluska provided RV spaces and accomodations for us to use. Dellwood Laundry helped in laundry services during the shoot.
The Mountaineer provided updated information in their news releases through Beth Plemming, who also asisted in extras casting and photography. Alaska Presley who not only helped fund the movie, also provided a business platform with the Cherokee Tribal council, the Chief Michelle Hicks and Vice Chief Larry Blythe. Alaska also provided room and board for our editors and production managers.
Robert Bradley, who also provided funding for the film, and room and board for the producers, provided set design, liason between the film unit and Ghost Town theme park. Perry Letrell, who helped coordinate park functions in relation to the tight film schedule. Thanks also go out to Mr. and Mrs. Harley Potts from Franklin; Bob Terrell who kept the Asheville Citizen Times updated as well as writing the novel “Ghost Town” (in the works); WLOS news station for their coverage of the film and to the entire Cherokee (Eastern Band) and Chief Michelle Hicks, Vice Chief Larry Blythe and his family for providing resources of dancers, meetings and helping with future premiere functions.
The Cherokees and Larry Blythe cannot be thanked enough for helping this film be completed. He hosted a wonderful dinner for the entire cast and crew at the Harrah’s Casino on behalf of the Cherokee Tribe. The entire band of Raymond Fairchild and his wife Shirley helped us in so many ways. Popcorn Sutton came to act and did a wonderful job. Jo Pinter helped me in the beginning stages of development. Falcon Air in Asheville provided aeriel filming as well as flew my wife and myself to Atlanta on quick weekend transports via helicoptor.
Granny’s Chicken, Inman’s Restaurant, and Joey’s Pancake House all provided good dining experiences for everyone on many occasions. Beth Reese and the Maggie Valley Conference Center provided room for the entire film crew and hosted contential breakfasts every day, took mail, phone messages, set up a production office, and hosted the wrap party.
Local resident Harry Valentine acted, produced, shuttled, coordinated, and made the “Golden Years” monument which will be erected at the foot of Ghost Town in the Sky reception area. The new owners of Ghost Town will build a platform waiting area for visitors going up the mountain, and will be build around the “Golden Years” monument dedicated to Robert Doyle Teaster.
I also want to thank those who worked on the crew as drivers Donna Owens; Clyde actor Bill Whitworth who played a great part as “Jacknife Jack;” Judy Ferguson who played many days as an extra, and a featured extra; the Teaster family who drove up from Packlett, South Carolina; Brian Teaster for all of his help during the month and the many things he did for us; Ralphine Rathbone who wore four squibs in a horrific scene, Johnny Rich, Jess Sutton, Jacob Stephens,Stephen Walkingstick, the list goes on and on. In the beginning stages of funding, I had been invited to the town meeting in Maggie Valley to present the idea to the public. The council being busy offered any help I needed. However, after that meeting a small group of people who will remain nameless, thought this project was of little or no value, or surmised that nothing could be made good with our minimal budget. Since then they have seen that I brought a serious Hollywood production. They have seen the likes of Rance Howard, Stella Parton, Sammy Kershaw, Reneé O’Connor, Bill McKinney, Haywood County’s own Herbert “Cowboy” Coward, Tony Becker, Charlie Matteau, Terrence Knox, come to Maggie Valley from as far as Hollywood, Calif., in belief of this project.
Money was not the motivation, but rather a good story and a re-birth of Ghost Town in the Sky, and a tribute to my father. Everyone in Maggie Valley (eveyone), will benefit from this production. The naysayers, as well as the 99 percent support I received from everyone, all will benefit.
I recommend that anyone can continue to view its progress in Hollywood via www.imdb.com searching Ghost Town 2007 listing. The rating for the film has jumped since reported in the Mountaineer last month at 8900, is now at 4600. It will vary during post production, but will ramp up close to the premiere.
For the 99 percent who supported me in this venture, I thank you all from my heart. I thank Alaska Presley, Robert Bradley, and Vice Chief Larry Blythe for assisting in funding such a wonderful (long lasting) project. For the 1 percent of the naysayers, I say to them, “Focus on Ghost Town and the rebirth of Maggie Valley and the good people of Haywood County, be happy for what is happening even though you may not be center stage.”
I thank the people of Haywood County, love you all, my hometown.
Dean Teaster is a Haywood County native and the force behind the movie “Ghost Town” recently filmed in the county.
