A Glimmer of Hope

Welcome back to the Circular Journey Cafe. I'm so happy you're here because I have some exciting news to share. I wish I could shout it from the mountaintops, but we're in short supply of those at the coast. Without mountain tops, the elevations of the 600 block of Castle Street will suffice, if you'll join me, that is.

Why am I so excited? Let me tell you. After what feels like an eternity of empty soundstages and quiet streets, aside from the usual tourist traffic kerfuffles, we finally have something stirring in film production right here in Hollywood East. A new project called "RJ Decker," based on Carl Hiaasen's novel "Double Whammy," will be filmed in Wilmington.

Netflix’s “The Runarounds” wrapped up filming its first season here in March, and “The Waterfront,” another Netflix series shot in Southport, was canceled for unknown reasons. To make matters worse, foreign incentives for film production contributed to a major downturn in domestic projects. So yes, “RJ Decker” offers hope for our local film industry and hope for documentarians like me, who may or may not know exactly what they’re doing.

"Finally!" exclaimed Princess Amy, my imaginary critic and part-time life coach. Her tiara was practically vibrating with excitement. "We can dust off our press credentials and get back to what we do best."

“Remind me, exactly what it is we do ?" I asked, genuinely curious about her assessment of our track record.

She mused on the question before answering. “We, I’d say eating craft services food and taking blurry photos of background extras, is our specialty."

She had a point. Our previous attempts at documenting film productions have gone about as smoothly as folding a fitted sheet. Still, this new opportunity feels different. Maybe it has something to do with my experience, which consists mostly of getting lost, parking illegally, and being turned away by security guards, but we learn from our mistakes.

The new show will star Scott Speedman as a disgraced newspaper photographer who, in the wonderfully wacky tradition of television, becomes a private investigator in South Florida. Weruche Opia will play the daughter of a powerful state senator, while Wilmawood takes on the supporting role of South Florida itself.

Anyone want to take bets on whether those two lead characters will become romantically involved? I'm kidding—of course they will. It's television.

Carl Hiaasen himself will serve as executive producer, which gives me hope that the show will capture that distinctly Florida brand of absurdist crime fiction that makes his novels so compelling. 

"This could be our big break," Amy continued, "We could become the unofficial chronicler of Wilmington's film scene!"

"Unofficial being the operative word," I reminded her. "And let's not forget that 'big break' and 'spectacular failure' have been virtually synonymous in our recent attempts."

Amy gave me a look that may have been what I've heard described as 'the evil eye.'

"Still," I hurriedly added, "I'm cautiously optimistic. Ms. Wonder has been coaching me on what she calls 'strategic preparation.'"

Only yesterday, she said to me, "Genome, maybe this time you could research the filming locations a little more thoroughly before you set out? Maybe even contact the production office ahead of time."

"She even suggested investing in a proper camera instead of relying on my phone for 'professional' documentation. Amy, I'm telling you there's none like her. She..."

"No, don't say it," said Amy. "I know all about her wonders and the mysterious ways she works them. You don't need to say that every time you mention her name."

"I do repeat myself a lot," I said. "I'm working on that."

Amy simply nodded, sipped her cappuccino, and left the table to reorder or something—she sort of evaporated from my imagination the way she often does.

The truth is, I'm genuinely excited about 'RJ Decker.' After months of watching foreign cities land the big productions while Wilmington's soundstages are silent, having an ABC pilot choose our fair city feels like a real vote of confidence in our local film industry.

"When do we begin stalking the production office?" Amy asked, returning to our table with cheese danish and a fresh coffee.

"We observe," I corrected, although I knew shed nailed what we actually do. "We observe from a respectful distance. After obtaining proper permissions."

"That sounds like a suggestion from Ms. Wonder," she said, "and to be honest, it sounds boring." But I could tell she was already planning our reconnaissance mission.

And so, I say, here's to RJ Decker—may it bring thrills to our screens, jobs to our community, and with any luck, blog material that doesn't end with me being escorted away by security.