The filming of a movie in Kipling will go ahead, beginning in March of this year!

Corbin Bernsen of Public Media Works, Van Nuys, CA, and Kipling Film Productions Inc. announced their decision to proceed with the venture following meetings held late last week.

Casting for 3 Day Test, a Christmas story, which will star Bernsen himself, will take place at Kipling Sunday evening, January 28.

Kipling Film Productions Inc. (KFP) has been offering shares in the movie rights to 3 Day Test for several weeks and has succeeded in raising nearly half of the estimated $400,000 it will take to produce and market the film.

The determination was made that the available amount is enough to proceed with production, since a certain portion of the costs are incurred after the filming phase.

“Once the picture is ‘in the can’ (i.e. filmed), the question of post-production costs can be addressed,” Bernsen said in an interview Monday.

It is also hoped that more investors will be found during filming. A target of an additional $50,000 is thought to be attainable. An anticipated provincial tax credit will also go toward production.

The movie rights will be shared by KFP and Public Media Works.

A consideration in the decision to proceed at this time is that winter scenes are featured in the story.

Bernsen admitted it would be less stressful if all of the funding was in place, but feels it is better to act now, in an effort to have the movie ready for release in time for Christmas.

The principals are also hoping that once people see the production in progress, it will instill confidence in more investors.

“On the one hand, I am thrilled that Kipling Film productions have come up with a substantial amount,” said Bernsen.

“On the other hand, more will be needed. Perhaps people need to see to believe that it is happening.”

Albeit on short notice, Bernsen will conduct auditions for specific parts the evening of Sunday evening, Jan. 28 in Kipling. Bernsen’s intention is to cast eight to 14 roles from these auditions. The major ones of these are described in an advertisement elsewhere in this edition.

Production meetings are slated for the following day, January 29. Then on Tuesday evening (Jan. 30), those selected for roles will read some of the scenes in Kipling Community Centre, affording the general public an opportunity to meet the cast. Coffee and donuts will be served.

Pre-production will begin in mid-February, with Angel Entertainment of Saskatoon in charge. This involves set construction and wardrobe preparation, among other things.

During this stage, Bernsen along with local actor Nolan G.L Hubbard will be in California, filming Donna on Demand. Hubbard earned a role in Donna on Demand in casting last summer. He will also appear in 3 Day Test.

Once pre-production is complete, filming can begin at Kipling. The projected start date for production is March 12, with filming to be wrapped up by the end of March.