"Losing Jerry" the movie

From Seacoast Online:

Beach could be movie set
By Patrick Cronin pcronin@seacoastonline.com

HAMPTON - A new movie that tells the coming-of-age story of three friends who share a love of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead could begin filming next year at Hampton Beach.

The state has already agreed to allow the creators of "Losing Jerry," to shoot at the beach, according to Van McLeod, commissioner of the state Department of Cultural Resources.

"The location is set but they still have to secure financing, get a cast and do a lot of other work before they begin shooting," said McLeod. "Hopefully they will get everything together and begin shooting the picture here next summer."

The film, written by New Hampshire native Mitchell Ganem, is being produced by Tracy Becker, who was an associate producer for "Finding Neverland."

The story line follows three friends who spend their summers at Hampton Beach.

McLeod said the movie follows the friends through ups and downs and recreates the Aug. 9, 1995, concert at the Hampton Beach Casino, where Bob Weir took to the stage that night in a tribute concert after hearing earlier that morning his friend of 30 years and fellow Grateful Dead band member Jerry Garcia had died.

The sold-out concert attracted thousands of Deadheads, even those who didn’t have tickets, all mourning the loss of a quiet leader of a musical group and a way of life.

Hampton Beach Casino owner Fred Schaake recalled that night in article that ran in The Hampton Union several years ago.

"Jerry died that morning and we thought they would cancel the show and instead they decided to play, kind of a tribute thing," said Schaake. "It was unbelievable. We had all the major networks here filming; we had MTV and Rolling Stone. There were literally 3,000 people outside listening to the show in the parking lot."

McLeod said Schaake is allowing the filmmakers to shoot at the Casino and the Grateful Dead has given the rights to 28 of their songs.

"That is a good sign because that is the real stars of the movie, if you will," said McLeod

The New Hampshire Film and Television office held a live reading of the screenplay last month where several local officials got a sneak peak at the movie, including Seacoast Park and Recreation Supervisor Brian Warburton and Chamber of Commerce President B.J. "Doc" Noel.

Warburton said the screenplay was unbelievable and that he is excited to be working with other state agencies to figure out the logistics of shooting at the beach.

"I think it’s great that they want to invest in New Hampshire’s most beautiful seashore," said Warburton. "It’s a beautiful story and it’s going to put Hampton Beach and New Hampshire on the map. We are just proud to be a part of it."

Warburton said several scenes will be shot in July and August, but most of it will be done after the Seafood Festival.
Noel said it’s going to be a big boost to the economy, especially with all the people working on the film staying in the area.

"I’m not a movie critic but I think it has a good story line," said Noel. "It’s going to bring great exposure to the area. It’s going to be great for the economy and it’s going to enhance the publicity and income of the beach."