Tickets can be reserved on Sept. 8.
By Laurie Edwards [ Smith Mountain Lake ]
Smith Mountain Lake will be giving the red-carpet treatment for the premiere of “Lake Effects,” a movie filmed at the lake last year. The movie will be screened at Westlake Cinema on Friday, Oct. 7. Show times and ticket prices will be announced on the film’s Facebook page.
The screening will include a red carpet event similar to those at a major Hollywood premiere. Anyone who attends the premiere will receive a free movie poster. Some of the actors will be on site, but a list of exactly who will attend has not been released. This will be the first public screening of “Lake Effects.” Additional screenings may be added if demand merits.
“The community was such an integral part from day one, we wanted them to see it first,” said Sara Elizabeth Timmins, the film’s producer and a Moneta resident.
Following the screening, there will be an after-party at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. Party proceeds will benefit a scholarship fund set up in memory of “Lake Effects” script writer and actor Scott Winters, who died July 12.
Reservations for the premiere will be accepted beginning Thursday, Sept. 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Westlake Cinema and on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“Lake Effects” is a family comedy/drama about a woman (played by Jane Seymour) and her two daughters who embark on a journey of rediscovery after the family patriarch dies. The movie is set at and was filmed at Smith Mountain Lake.
Other actors appearing in the movie include Scottie Thompson, Madeline Zima, Jeff Fahey, Eyal Podell, Ben Savage, Richard Moll, Casper Van Dien and Sean Patrick Flanery.
“Lake Effects” was signed earlier this month with distributor Vision Films, a company based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Timmins said Vision is shopping the film at network television stations.
Westlake Cinema is owned by The Willard Companies, whose president, well-known developer Ron Willard, was an investor and supporter of “Lake Effects.”
Timmins said Oct. 7 was chosen for the screening to coincide with the SML Charity Home Tour, held Oct. 7-9. Timmins said they want to promote local economic development and tourism, and hope that people coming into town for the premiere also will attend the Home Tour.
For more information about “Lake Effects,” visit the film’s Facebook page or lifeoutloudfilms.com.
