'Nicholas of Myra'
Epic movie being shot in town offers chance for background role
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Mesler

Are you ready for your close-up?

If so, here's your chance to win a background role in a movie being dubbed by its director as epic and being shot within the cities, towns and villages of Western New York.

The makers behind "Nicholas of Myra," the story of St. Nicholas, are offering interested individuals the chance to purchase a limited edition movie poster and to enter online for a chance to win a day on the set of the production, a visit to Wonderworks Studios and a background role in the film, which is scheduled to make its premiere during Christmas 2008.

"We are hoping to get the community involved and excited about the movie," said writer/director Gerald Hartke of East Amherst. "This will be a great opportunity for the community at large to learn about the filmmaking process and for one person to be in the movie."

Filming locations for "Nicholas of Myra" have included the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna and a 4,000-square-foot studio/soundstage on Transit Road in Clarence.

A caravan scene is photographed on location in Lancaster

"This is really a grassroots production for us," said Matthew Mesler of Clarence Center, who is portraying Nicholas of Myra. "It's a fourth century movie, so the scenes, sets, costumes and on-location imagery that is being used appears very authentic. The end product will be something to see."

Hartke said he felt compelled to tell the story of St. Nicholas after learning that Old St. Nick was a real man.

"I found out there was an original St. Nicholas," Hartke said reflecting back to 2001. "I began doing research and just became curious about the story."

After two years of researching the material and writing the screenplay, Hartke began trying to market his product.

According to a Web site dedicated to the movie's production, the screenplay had drawn interest from mainstream entertainment studios, but "it was not until the project caught the attention of a group of Western New York investors that the production began to accelerate."

"Along with Executive Producers Thomas J. Mallare, Michael D. Jordan and Beth Jordan, Hartke upstarted Nicholas of Myra, LLC in 2005 to begin raising production capital and has since assembled a talented team of actors and filmmakers, as well as state-of-the-art digital cinema technology, needed to bring the epic motion picture to the big screen."

While many of us today see St. Nicholas as the man in a red suit with a white beard, Hartke explains on the Web site the story behind the true St. Nicholas.

"Through the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas of Myra becomes the most popular religious figure next to Jesus Christ and The Virgin Mary. Art depicting his image and his many works of wonder begins to adorn much of the religious architecture throughout the Middle East and Europe.

"Centuries later, The Protestant Reformation of Europe forces many to sacrifice the veneration of their beloved St. Nicholas. During this long period, familiar tales of a mythic gift-bearer begin to resurface among the faithful. Other names, such as Christ Kindle (Kris Kringle), Pere Noel and Father Christmas, quickly gain popularity among many of the reformed cultures.

"After another century, Dutch settlers breathe new life into the age-old legend, bringing their tales of Sinter Klaas (Dutch for St. Nicholas) to the New World. In the settlement of New Amsterdam, the Dutch lore attains such influence that even after the English gain control of the settlement, renaming it New York, St. Nicholas continues to be referred to by many New Yorkers as Sinter Klaas and the eventual English pronunciation, Santa Claus."

Hartke said filming is approximately 75 percent finished, and the anticipation of a polished product is growing amongst everyone on the set.

"We've used about 60 actors and a slew of animals including horses and a camel," he said. "We've been editing right along, but to see all of this coming together has just been great ... it's rewarding."

Posters and sweepstakes information can be found at the following locations: Record Theater, all locations; Tim Hortons, Main Street and Sheridan Drive in Clarence and Transit and North French roads in Amherst; La Nova Pizza, Main Street, Williamsville; Creekside Restaurant, Main Street, Williamsville; The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza; Clarence Eye Care, Main Street, Clarence; Tony's Barber Shop, Main Street, Clarence; and Queen City Bookstore, Main Street, Buffalo.

Poster sales and sweepstakes entries will be held until Sunday, Dec. 23. Twenty percent of all proceeds from the poster sales will be donated to Toys for Tots of WNY. There is no purchase required to enter the sweepstakes. A blind drawing for the grand prize winner will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

To learn more about the movie, visit www.nicholasofmyra movie.com

e-mail:kkarcher@beenews.com