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AMBER TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — The locally produced movie “Deer Camp ’86” is coming to a theater near you! The award winning film, directed, written and produced by Scottville area resident Harold Cronk, will be showing at the AMC Classic Ludington 8 cinema beginning Friday, May 31 with showings at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The super natural thriller/comedy is about six guys who drive up to northern Michigan from Detroit to spend time deer hunting. In the process, they manage to wake a “forest spirit” which proceeds to hunt them. The movie was filmed almost entirely in Mason and Oceana counties in the fall of 2020.
The movie was screened locally in 2022 at The Vogue Theater in Manistee, but its official world premiere took place last Wednesday at the Celebration Cinema Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Another sneak preview screening will take place Wednesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Emagine Royal Oak theater, but seats are nearly sold old.
The film is set to be theatrically released on Friday, May 31.
“We initially were scheduled to be in 50 theaters around the country,” Cronk said. “Now, we are confirmed at 150 with the likelihood of 200 within another week. I am especially excited to see that it has been picked up by our local theater. It means a lot to know that folks in Mason County will get a chance to see the movie right here at home.”
Cronk directed the film under the pseudonym L. Van Dyke Siboutszen.
Cronk co-wrote and co-produced the film with Eric Michiela of Holland (using the pseudonym’s Bo Hansen and Riley Taurus, respectively.
Cronk has directed and produced several films locally including “The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy” and “Pirate’s Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson.” He is best known for being the director of the box office smash hit “God’s Not Dead.” In 2023, he won an Emmy Award as director of the Disney-Plus series “The Quest.” His latest film “Average Joe” is scheduled for release this fall.
Michiela, principal owner of Gorilla, a film-based marketing firm in Grand Rapids, has made several independent films including “Camp Manna,” “Arrowhead,” and “The Manifestation.”
In 2022, “Deer Camp ’86” won the Best Special Effects award at Screamfest film festival in Hollywood. Screamfest is the largest and longest running film festival in the United States and included over 20 feature films. It was recently shown at the world-esteemed Dallas International Film Festival and Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa, Fla.
Several of the film’s actors have also gained notoriety since making the movie.
Detroit native Noah LaLonde played the role of Wes. He attended Grand Valley State University and has earned his mark in Hollywood playing the role of Cole in the Netflix series “My Life with the Walter Boys.”
California-born David Lautman played the role of Egbert “Ep”. He has gained fame as the character Grant Smoltz in “General Hospital”. He has also appeared in over 165 commercials including a campaign spokesperson role for Canon, CarGurus, LiDL, and Health-Ade. His father, Ben Lautman, acted in the original Broadway production of “HAIR” from 1970 to 1974.
Jay J. Bidwell (Jacob Heethuis, originally of Shelby) played Buck.
Paul Wilson of Tampa, Fla., plays Sheriff Paulson. Wilson is best known for his involvement in the popular horror series “The Conjuring.” He played Richard Nixon in the Showtime series “The First Lady” Wilson is also an executive producer of “Deer Camp ’86.”
Arthur Cartwright of Detroit played the role of Simon. He starred in Cronk’s 2018 movie “God Bless the Broken Road” and also was featured in “Do You Believe,” which was produced by Cronk. He also appeared in “Grand Torino” with Clint Eastwood. Cartwright stars in the upcoming movie “The Rhythm.”
The movie also stars Jay J. Bidwell (Jacob Heethuis) of Muskegon and a 2005 graduate of Shelby High School in the role of Buck.
Rob Alway of Scottville was a co-producer and locations manager. Becky Alway of Scottville was also a co-producer along with Shelly Newman of Manistee. Mike Anderson of Ludington was art director.
To find other locations for “Deer Camp ’86″ visit www.deercamp86.com.
AMC Classic Ludington 8 is located at 3857 W. US 10-31.
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