It was lights, camera, action at West Baden Springs Hotel to celebrate the theatrical release of the movie "So Cold the River."
Earlier today, the iconic 200-foot-wide domed atrium, where much of the movie was filmed, was buzzing with talented A-list actors, directors, writers and producers. Television and newspaper crews filled the room for media day where reporters had the chance to interact with Hollywood, and homegrown, stars who made the movie come to life on the big screen.
Based on the New York Times best-selling book by Michael Koryta, Paul Shoulberg used West Baden Springs Hotel and the towns of French Lick and West Baden as his focal point for the movie.
Both Koryta and Shoulberg were at media day, along with producers Zachary Spicer, Claire Tuft and Gordon Strain.
Being from Indiana myself, it was awesome to see fellow Hoosiers, many of them based in Bloomington, come together and sell Hollywood on the idea that this movie needed to be filmed at West Baden Springs Hotel.
Leading actress Bethany Joy Lenz, formerly of "One Tree Hill", put it best when she said she was driving through hills and cornfields when all of the sudden a castle appeared, referring to West Baden Springs Hotel.
That is one reason why I love French Lick Resort so much. It's a hidden gem, and now the world gets to see it in all its glory. I had the chance to talk with Bethany and was blown away by her authentic warmth for Indiana, and French Lick Resort.
She had the nicest things to say about her time at the resort, when the movie was filmed two years ago, and seemed genuinely grateful to be celebrating its release with her cast, crew, and complete strangers who share in her joy of the resort, too.
Other actors who star in the movie, like Katie Sarife, Andrew J. West and Kingston Vernes, were also in attendance and all made their mark on the movie.
Each actor was captivating on camera and left me on the edge of my seat with their performances. It was interesting to hear from them talk about their time filming at West Baden Springs Hotel, when the hotel was shut down for production.
They were free to roam the halls of the historic hotel, and talked about their time singing karaoke between takes.
Many of them expressed how much of a presence the hotel made in the movie, acting as a character in its own right.
After seeing the movie myself, I couldn't agree more.
Kudos to Bloomington-based
Pigasus Pictures, who saw the value in making this movie in their own backyard, and at such a historic location.
The stars aligned to make this movie, and they came together to celebrate it as one at West Baden Springs Hotel on media day.
Lauren Jones
