Progression of Events on The Adventures of Ociee Nash

Several years ago there was a fortuitous meeting at Tula's Beverly Libby Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Present for a one woman show by artist Beverly Key, wife of actor Tom Key, were filmmakers Kristen McGary and Amy McGary, and author Milam McGraw Propst who had recently been awarded Georgia's 2000 Author of the Year for First Novel for A Flower Blooms on Charlotte Street.

From this meeting a surprising course of events occurred. The McGarys, who had been deeply involved in a production about southern author Flannery O'Connor, optioned Propst's novel which told the story of her grandmother "Ociee Nash" in 1898. The novel metamorphosed into the screenplay, The Adventures of Ociee Nash.

At this point, the McGarys began raising money to produce Ociee. In June of 2002, they won IMAGE Film and Video's prestigious Southeastern Mediamaker's Award which provided $120,000 of in-kind services from Atlanta vendors. This award, which is based on the strength of the script and the production personnel, was instrumental in enabling them to begin production in August of 2002.

A search that reached as far as Los Angeles where top child actors auditioned for the role of "Ociee Nash", led to Joy Pervis and Hot Shot Kids in Atlanta and a vibrant unknown named Skyler Day. At Skyler's first audition, when asked how she liked the script, the young Miss Day exclaimed "I love it!" But Skyler was to audition six more times before finally landing the role. The McGarys attest to that fact in not trusting their good fortune on finding Ociee on the second child auditioned in Atlanta. Three hundred possibilities later, they arrived back at the decision to cast Skyler Day. Mother Kelly Day admits that Skyler "drove me nuts" asking her constantly why the McGarys had not called.

Skyler Day proved to be the star that she was. The crew loved her. She was professional at all times; always on time and knowing her lines. However, these were not the only factors that contributed to her love from the crew. Skyler Day has a light that shines inside and out.

Actors Keith Carradine as "Papa Nash" Ociee's father, and Mare Winningham as "Aunt Mamie Nash", came on board in true independent fashion, just a week before shooting began. Ty Pennington, himself an Atlantan and fresh off the set of Trading Spaces, was also added to the cast in a cameo role as "Wilbur Wright".

Kristen McGary scoured Atlanta theater productions in order to use stage actors for this film production, and considering the bevy of talent provided there, she unequivocally proved that the two mediums do mix. Atlanta favorites Tom Key, Janice Akers, John Lawhorn, Donna Wright, Daniel Burnley, Sean Daniels, Jill Jane Clements, Bart Hansard and Anthony P. Rodriguez rounded out the stellar cast.

Shooting took place in Orchard Hill, Georgia, Atlanta's Inman Park and at the Tennessee Valley Railroad in Chattanooga, Tennessee complete with period costumes and sets, children, stunts and animals.

Post-production was done at Bill VanDerKloot's Magick Lantern post house. As part of the Southeastern Mediamaker's Award, VanDerKloot's generosity helped to keep in check the shoestring budget. The same generosity was received from RIOT Atlanta, Sound One Corp and Duart Film Laboratories in New York City.

For the musical score, the McGarys then turned to editor Amy Carey Linton who suggested longtime hero Van Dyke Parks. The McGarys sent him a ten minute preview tape, and much to their delight, Mr. Parks agreed to compose the music for The Adventures of Ociee Nash. Score!

The McGarys were soon to learn that their movie had been chosen by General Manager Edgar Neiss and the Fox Theatre to open the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival. On June 1, 2003, The Fox Theatre opened its doors to The Adventures of Ociee Nash and a capacity crowd of 4500 people.

The Adventures of Ociee Nash has come a long way in a short period of time. It is a feel-good feature film for the whole family to enjoy.