ERIKETA COST
Life & Arts Editor
An indie horror thriller movie is coming to Fredonia for Friday the 13th.
More than that, it was filmed at the Dunkirk lighthouse.
The film, “Widow’s Point,” will premiere at the Fredonia Opera House on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
“Widow’s Point” is based off a novel by Richard Chizmar, who co-wrote the novel with his son, Billy.
Filmmaker Gregory Lamberson had always had a close working relationship with Chizmar.
“Rich has invested in some of my previous films, and we’ve been looking for something to do together,” said Lamberson. “He sent me an advance copy of the book, and in it I saw an opportunity to direct some scenes reminiscent of Salem’s Lot, Dark Shadows and Peter Straub’s Ghost Story – projects I’ll never get a chance to do otherwise.”
The film is about an author who wants to pull a stunt and spend a weekend in a haunted house.
He does this for inspiration for his next book, but becomes prey for evil forces.
One of Lamberson’s biggest inspirations to start filmmaking? “Star Wars.”
“I knew after seeing it [Star Wars] that I wanted to direct movies. ‘Widow’s Point’ is the eighth film I’ve directed, but I’ve worked on others, and along the way I wrote 14 books, which I’ll be selling at the Fredonia screening,” he said.
His interest narrowed more towards thriller after watching Dan Curtis films throughout his childhood.
“When I lived on Central Avenue, I saw television more than anything else. A movie Curtis directed called ‘Trilogy of Terror’ terrified me when I was in second grade,” he said.
His advice for students who may want to get involved in film — whether it’s score-writing, directing or filmmaking — is to never give up.
“If you want to do the work, do it, don’t talk about it. Parties and concerts and video games have to take a backseat. Make short films, hone your craft, learn from your mistakes, then make new mistakes from which to learn,” he said.
Lamberson has enjoyed the journey filming a project so close to home.
“My family spent several nights at the college apartments on Brigham Road, and it was sort of surreal waking up home again,” he said.
“The theater where we’re screening is called the Fredonia Opera House now, but it was cinema I when I grew up, and I saw a lot of movies there with my friends.”
One of Fredonia’s music industry professors, Armand Petri, has contributed to the film as a score composer.
Fredonia students taking his course HAIL! Fredonia Records have been involved in the promotional aspect of the film. The course allows music industry students to directly work with local artists.
“We have been involved by working with the director of the movie and organizing promotional/marketing plans on how to widespread this showing,” said senior music industry major Sophia Auteri, and project manager for promotions. “We are in constant contact with clubs throughout campus as well as radio stations off campus. We also flyer around on and off campus to get the word out as much as we can.”
Panelists at the talkback will include Lamberson, Petri, film co-star Kaelin Lamberson and Dunkirk Lighthouse’s Dave Briska.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Dunkirk Lighthouse.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. They will be available at the door only.