Behind the scenes of thriller being shot in Augusta

March 8, 2023·Charmain Z. Brackett·Comments Off

(Editor’s note: A story announcing the release date was published July 25. See story here.)

A Category 5 hurricane hit Walton Way March 7, thanks to movie magic and the aid of two giant fans and a rain tower.

A portion of Walton Way between Milledge and Hickman Roads was cordoned off for the filmmaking at The Partridge Inn Tuesday night.

For the MarVista Entertainment thriller with the working title of Five Star Murder, a predominantly Augusta-based film crew transformed The Partridge Inn into the Libertine Grand Hotel on Tybee Island.

*Crews set up a large fan outside the Partridge Inn March 7. Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett*

“There is a hidden treasure in them-thar walls,” said producer Mark Crump of the plot.

When the storm bearing down on the hotel forces guests to evacuate, treasure hunters strike. However, one by one, the bodies start piling up, leaving the audience to wonder whodunit.

Tuesday’s shooting focused on the big hurricane scene also known as Scene 18, which has interior as well as exterior elements.

*Barbara Zagrodnik (center) directs actors in a scene. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News*

Barbara Zagrodnik, first assistant director, coached the background actors in their evacuation scene.

Most of the guests would rush out, but two actors would be more nonchalant. They’d been through hurricanes before, she told them. It wasn’t that big of a deal to them.

“Go to the bar and have a hurricane,” she instructed them.

And for the exterior — well, that ends with a bunch of drenched actors exiting the hotel.

MORE: Augustans make movie magic in holiday films

*Actors shoot a scene at the Partridge Inn Tuesday. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News*

The Partridge Inn received a few additional touches of movie magic. The film company rented out the entire fifth floor to capitalize on the hotel’s architecture. The winding halls provide an array of angles to give the illusion of different locations.

The second floor with its bar and ballroom is now the hotel’s lobby with a new check-in for film use only. Crews also created a spare hotel room, which receives the brunt of the hurricane in the movie.

MORE: Pecan log rolls and road trips fuel business comeback

*The fan and the rain tower for providing the hurricane special effects. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News*

Holly White, the Partridge Inn general manager, said it’s been exciting, but she’s had a sense of déjà vu.

“My previous property was at the beach,” said White, who is familiar with hurricane evacuations.

*A glimpse of the filming of Five Star Murder at The Partridge Inn. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News*

She admits the process has been hectic as The Partridge Inn is at full occupancy, and they are readying the hotel for Masters’ guests.

Filming started Feb. 21 and will wrap up March 14.

Although it has a title now, crew members warn that could change prior to its July release on Tubi.

*A cameraman sets up for a shot during the hurricane scene March 7. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News*

Video from the March 7 rain test

Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Support local journalism: Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That’s the focus of Augusta Good News. An independent voice in Augusta, Ga., Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn’t have celebrity reporters who have agents. It’s local people who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift. Click here to learn more. Thank you!

Support Local Journalism

Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That's the focus of Augusta Good News, a member of the Georgia Press Association. And you don't have to go through a paywall to find these stories. An independent voice in Augusta, Ga., Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn't have celebrity reporters who have agents. It's local people who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift.

Comments are closed.

Behind the scenes of thriller being shot in Augusta

In case you missed it

Share this:

Like this:

Support Local Journalism

Subscribe

Subscribe

Related Articles