Red River Hosts Two Films ​By Oscar Winner Ernest Thompson

CONCORD, NH — Don’t miss this rare chance to see two recent movies from "On Golden Pond" creator Ernest Thompson on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at Red River Theatres in Concord. "Time And Charges" will be shown at 4 p.m. and "Heavenly Angle" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., with a dinner reception in between in Red River's Simchik Cinema from 6 to 7:30 p.m. After each screening, Thompson will talk about his unique approach to community filmmaking, and you’ll have a chance to meet actors and crew members and hear how their lives were changed forever.

Through his New Hampshire-based company Whitebridge Farm Productions, and with partners Morgan Murphy and Lori Gigliotti Murphy, Thompson offered both movies as On Location Training to anyone of any age and background interested in learning about every aspect of the filmmaking business. More than 800 people from all corners of the state, and beyond, participated. Most had zero experience.

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Thompson, who splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City, has called New Hampshire home for the past 25 years. In that time, he has discovered that there is a lot of talent here in the woods and folks interested in the magic of making movies. Thompson wrote, directed and starred in both full-length features and primarily filmed them here in the Granite State, creating an extraordinary opportunity that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.

“What makes these films so special is the story behind the story,” Thompson said. “While I’m proud of both movies and what we were able to accomplish on a budget too small to see, I’m deeply moved by each and every person who contributed in more ways than I could possibly list.”

Thompson’s patented community-filmmaking method is all-inclusive. He shared his wealth of knowledge with every single actor, extra, crew member, designer, costumer, make-up artist and composer, shooting only on Sundays for "Time And Charges," as people had day jobs, and 18 days straight for "Heavenly Angle," so everyone could experience a true film schedule.

New Hampshire's business community, towns and individuals took part, too, donating snowmobiles, antique cars, horses, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, offices, apartments and homes, schools, a bank, a town hall, a limo and even a helicopter. Police and fire departments from several communities lent their support and firetrucks, cruisers and firefighters and officers in uniform. And on and on.

"Time And Charges" is a comedy-drama about a hot shot New York money manager who, while driving through New Hampshire, turns off the highway and into his idealistic past. "Heavenly Angle" is an outrageously funny account of a down-on-his-luck filmmaker who cons a small New Hampshire community into bankrolling a movie he has no intention of making.

Community filmmaking has become a passion of Thompson’s; he's just waiting for the next break in his calendar so he can send up the Bat signal again, inviting anyone and everyone to make more magic with him. You could be next.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Red River Theatres, a nonprofit community cinema. Purchasing tickets in advance (online or at the theater box office) is strongly recommended. Seating is limited.

For more information, call Red River Theatres' box office at 603-224-4600, option 2, or consult the website redrivertheatres.org. Link for tickets: redrivertheatres.or...