NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that it has approved a $156,500 grant for “Last Best Summer Ever” to film in Middle Tennessee. The movie begins filming in Franklin on Friday, September 12 and will continue to film in and around the Franklin area until October 3. During production, the movie is employing approximately 30 Tennessee crewmembers and more than half of its 22-member cast is local.
“Tennessee provides the perfect backdrop for the film industry, both with our unique cultural and geographical landscape and through our efforts to support creative collaborations like this throughout the state,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “Our state has a rich history of fostering a one-of-a-kind environment in both the film and music industries, and I am pleased Middle Tennessee will be highlighted in this production. I also appreciate the jobs being created for local actors and production professionals.”
The family-friendly movie tells the story of Scott and his 12-year-old son, Caleb, moving on in life two years after Maria, the wife and mother of the family, has passed away. The summer kicks off with the Caleb’s teacher encouraging students to have the best summer ever. But Scott has other plans, telling his son he’s accepted a job out of state and they will be moving before the start of the new school year. The story is about transformation and hope, as Scott and Caleb find their way, all while Caleb tries to make this the last best summer ever.
The cast includes: David DeLuise (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) in the role of Scott, Caleb’s father; Nicos Christou in the role of Caleb; and Jaci Velasquez (local musician and radio personality on 94FM) as Maria, Scott’s wife and Caleb’s mother.
“I am really pleased ‘Last Best Summer Ever’ can take advantage of everything our state has to offer when it comes to providing a collaborative and creative environment for the film industry,” Bob Raines, Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission Director, said. “Tennessee’s natural beauty combined with the talent and expertise of professionals working in the film industry here truly make movies come to life.”
Locally based “Abington Ridge Films” and “Triple Horse Films” out of Atlanta are producing the movie, which is being directed by Ken Carpenter, who operated “Franklin Films” for many years.
“It’s not only our geographical and architectural assets in Nashville which provide a beautiful landscape to tell a story, but it’s a cooperative production environment, from the local municipalities to working with TNECD,” Carpenter said. “Tennessee has been very cooperative and created a good environment for us to work in. The crews in Nashville are top rate, and it’s an exciting time in the independent film world. Nashville has a palpable sort of energy that lends itself to this being a great place to shoot. Everybody involved is very excited about working on this picture.”
Franklin-based EchoLight Studios will distribute “Last Best Summer Ever” in spring 2015.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named “2013 State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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