Mesler And Hartke To Be Grand Marshals At Upcoming "Celebrate Santa Festival" Parade

10/07/09

Plans are now underway to showcase the film Nicholas of Myra in the Holly & Shamrock parade of the "Celebrate Santa Festival" in Gatlinburg, Tennessee next March. The film's star Matthew Mesler and Director Gerald Hartke have been honored with an invitation to be Grand Marshals for the festivities, and both will appear on a Nicholas of Myra themed float. Last March the parade drew over 20,000 spectators on a Tuesday afternoon. Next year's parade will be moved to Saturday with attendance expected to be much higher (estimated at 60,000 to 75,000) due to weekend scheduling, increased advertising, and cross promotion with the film. After learning of the cooperative efforts between the festival and Nicholas of Myra, the City of Gatlinburg informed festival organizers that the city would "pull out all the stops" in promoting this special event.

Please check out the festival website featuring Nicholas of Myra links and video at www.celebratesantafestival.com. For additional info on the festival please visit http://celebratesanta.com.

New Photo Gallery Now On IMDb.com

06/15/09

A new gallery of production photos from Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas is now available for viewing exclusively on the Internet Movie Database website (IMDb.com). Dozens of images -- some never before seen -- will be added to the gallery on a weekly basis, showcasing the many actors, sets and locations that fans can expect to see featured in the upcoming motion-picture event.

To view the exclusive Nicholas of Myra photo gallery, click on the following gallery link. To view a slideshow of the photos, use the following slideshow link. For the most in-depth information regarding the production, visit the Nicholas of Myra title page at IMDb.com.

Website Now Offering Fans Chance To Join Film’s Exclusive Mailing List

05/06/09

Visitors to the official Nicholas of Myra movie website can now sign up for exclusive e-mail announcements regarding the upcoming film’s progress, promotion, and special events, as well as new site additions and enhancements. With the final stage of filming and editing nearing its end, the mailing list will also provide “friends of the film” opportunities and ideas for participating in grassroots promotion as the publicity phase for the epic motion picture begins.

To go to the Join Our Mailing List page, click here. (To ensure reception of updates, please add info@nicholasofmyra-movie.com to your e-mail contacts, whitelist, approved sender, or safe list.)

EXCLUSIVE: Director Shares Creative Process In Designing Historical Costume

10/27/08

Making a film about the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra, while maintaining some recognizable aspects of the modern-day Christmas icon, became an aesthetic as well as a creative challenge for Nicholas of Myra Writer/Director Gerald Hartke. “We needed to design a look for Nicholas -- who was actually a 4th-century Greco-Roman bishop -- that would fuse the historical with the mythical, ” said Hartke. “I believe the concept we came up with brings together much of the cultural influences of the past and present, without crossing the boundary into the realm of folklore.” Although Hartke admits that not all historians will agree with his artistic interpretation, he insists that historical details are the driving force behind all of the creative decisions made on the film. “I spent several years researching the project,” stated the director. “Every artistic element is based on what is known about the origins of Saint Nicholas and the period in which he lived.”

Veteran Stage Actors Elkin And O’Neill Discuss Their Roles In New Web Documentary

05/30/08

“Since we went into production on Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas, I had been concerned about the opening scenes which actually were to be filmed toward the end of shooting,” said Writer/Director Gerald Hartke. “The scenes are set in the early 20th century and involve the characters of Andrew Livingston and Dr. Clement Moore. I decided to write the scenes -- and more at the end -- to provide bookends for the rest of the film. I knew early on that the characters would have to be played by strong, seasoned actors.”

As the shooting schedule for the scenes finally went into preparation last January, Hartke realized that he needed to cast the roles as soon as possible. “I’d always held on to the possibility of two veteran stage actors playing the integral characters,” he noted. “But the question was, would they be willing and able to work in the medium of film?”

Within two months time, the iconic duo that Hartke had in mind, Western New York’s own Saul Elkin and Vincent O’Neill, were in costume and on location, filling two of the most important roles in the film. Be sure to visit the media page to view the all-new web documentary Filming The Bookends, highlighting on-set interviews with actors Elkin and O’Neill discussing their involvement in the film, as well as their perspective on the overall scope of the production.

Saint Nicholas Society And The Worldwide Web Help Spread Word About Nicholas Of Myra

04/21/08

Since early 2006, word of the independent film epic, Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas, has been gaining momentum on the worldwide web. From forums to websites, the motion picture has become an entertainment, religious and historical topic of discussion across the Internet. “In early 2006, I was contacted by the founder of the UK / USA Saint Nicholas Society, Canon Dr. James Rosenthal,” said Writer/Director Gerald Hartke. “He had actually found out about our film on the Internet and was immediately interested in flying to the U.S. from his home in London, England to visit the production facilities.”

Following Canon Rosenthal’s visit to Wonderworker Studios in June of 2006, Hartke says that word of mouth began to accelerate. “We suddenly appeared on discussion forums and related websites, as well as gained web traffic for our own site from across the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, France, Russia and even as far as New Zealand,” stated Hartke. “It was amazing how fast and far word did spread.” For the past two years, Canon Rosenthal has been graciously spreading word of the film during his overseas travels. “The funny thing is,” added Hartke, “I haven’t even been able to read what most of the foreign websites are saying about the movie!” By January of 2008, Nicholas of Myra had been highlighted on the front page of the most prominent site in the world regarding the film’s subject. “The Saint Nicholas Center (www.stnicholascenter.org) is operated by Carol Myers, who has become a welcomed proponent of the film,” noted Hartke. “I believe her site receives around a million hits a year from all over the world. Needless to say, it has helped draw attention to us.”

Meanwhile, Canon Rosenthal continues to support the film internationally and has even discussed holding an event in London, where the motion picture would make its overseas premiere. “We owe Canon Jim a great deal of thanks,” said Hartke. “Although, I sometimes wonder if it was the power of the Internet, or a greater power that brought him to us.”

To listen to an audiocast of Saint Nicholas Society founder Canon Dr. James Rosenthal and Nicholas of Myra star Matthew Mesler, discussing the future of the film and the efforts of the Society around the world, click here.

EXCLUSIVE: Wonderworker Studios Reveals New Behind-The-Scenes Images

03/17/08

It is not often that an independent film company would attempt to tell a story as vast in scope as Wonderworker Studio’s Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas. It is even more unlikely that any independent film company has ever covered such a wide variety of locations for a single motion picture -- much less within a 200-mile radius. “People didn’t believe it was possible to do this in Western New York,” said Gerald Hartke, the writer and director of the film. “And that made me want to try it even more.” Although the motion picture is being produced in Western New York, Hartke is adamant that it will look as though it could have been shot at locations around the globe. “At first it was not an easy sell to potential investors, but now that people are beginning to see the results, it doesn’t seem so unbelievable.”

As momentum builds for Nicholas of Myra’s end of year premiere, Hartke hopes to keep raising the bar of expectation for the film by strategically releasing images to the public. “As the year progresses, we’ll be revealing more and more of the scope of what we’ve been shooting. However, I’ve always disliked it when imagery from a film is carelessly revealed before the film is even shown in theaters. Many times it can spoil the story for the audience.” With the best interests of the audience at heart, Hartke promises that is not going to be the case with Nicholas of Myra. When asked to comment on the newly released behind-the-scenes images from the film (see below), Hartke was pointed. “No matter how revealing the images that we show you seem to be, rest assured, they were chosen because they reveal nothing that would compromise the power of this untold story. And they only scratch the surface visually of what you’re going to see in the finished film.”

Director and Cinematographer Gerald Hartke sets up a sweeping cinematic shot for the film Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

While on location in Western New York, Nicholas of Myra star Matthew Mesler and co-star Jamie Elvey take a few moments to rehearse for an upcoming scene (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

Cast members prepare to shoot a scene set in the early 4th century, in which a small caravan ventures across the rocky terrain of a Middle Eastern valley (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

At an undisclosed location in Holland, NY, the film’s cast and crew prep the set while invited guests look on (photo by Gerald Hartke, Sr.).

Wearing period costuming, a group of Western New York equestrians awaits the director’s call for action (photo by Gerald Hartke, Sr.).

Matthew Mesler rehearses his first scene together with co-star Robert Vincent Jones, who portrays the pivotal 4th-century Roman Emperor, Constantine The Great (photo by Gerald Hartke, Sr.).

Producer Christopher Santucci monitors a “beauty shot” of a classical Greek building in Buffalo, NY (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

Between takes at the historic Albright-Knox building in North Buffalo, actor James Fauvell listens in as Director Gerald Hartke discusses the scene with star Matthew Mesler (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

Moving into position for a wide-angle shot of the building, two cast members ascend the sprawling front steps of Albright-Knox (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

On location at an authentic 19th-century village in upstate New York, the production crew sets up a mobile camera unit to capture a series of dynamic shots for the opening of the film (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

During the film’s snow-filled opening sequence, the driver of a horse-drawn sleigh makes his way through the streets of 1820’s New York (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

Executive Producer Beth Jordan gets ready for her cameo appearance as an early 19th-century New Yorker (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

To view two behind-the-scenes photo montages featuring music from the film, go to the media page.

EXCLUSIVE: An Interview With Nicholas Of Myra Star Matthew Mesler

02/18/08

Since being cast in the title role for the epic motion picture Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas, actor Matthew Mesler has been able to maintain a quiet and simple life, residing in rural Western New York. That was until last December, when it was officially announced that Nicholas of Myra, the film he’s been steadily working on for more than two years, would finally make its highly anticipated debut in 2008.

Actor Matthew Mesler (above) portrays Nicholas of Myra, the historical Greek bishop who became immortalized as a beloved Christian saint (photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes).

The devoted husband and father of two now faces the prospect of global recognition, as he prepares for a year-long marketing campaign to promote what is certain to become an international event when the film premieres in Western New York next Christmas. Recently, Mesler agreed to be interviewed for the purposes of this article. During the interview, he shared insight into his start as a screen actor, his enthusiasm for the role that he refers to as “an opportunity of a lifetime” and the life changing experience the role has become. Below is an edited transcript of that interview...

Having started out as a stand-in for lead actor James Van Der Beek on the Warner Brothers television series “Dawson’s Creek,” what did that first experience teach you about acting?

Mesler: Well, it taught me about the production process and how intricate it is, about camerawork and certain looks you give for different angles. As far as specifically about acting... it taught me that I didn’t know much at all (laughing). That’s the truth. I was kind of overwhelmed by the size of the production. I never knew how much went into it.

What made you decide to continue?

Mesler: Getting to work with actors my age, like Katie Holmes. I realized I didn’t know enough about acting. We were really just kids, but they had this ability to deliver their lines in a realistic way. It inspired me to get more experience as an actor. That was probably the most relevant thing.

During some of your other experiences, you got to work with the late John Ritter. Tell me about that.

Mesler: It was a Hallmark television movie called “Holy Joe.” I got to act out a scene with him as his son. It was an emotional scene and we actually had to hug like father and son at one point. It was a pretty cool experience.

Even though you only worked with him that one time, did you learn anything from him about the business?

Mesler: You know, I did. I noticed that the crew had a lot of respect for him. He didn’t have that “big-star” mentality. He treated everybody on par with himself and he loved to make people laugh. I took that to heart. I guess that’s really the most important thing I took from that experience.

Had you ever worked on a historical drama before “Nicholas of Myra”?

Mesler: I worked on the pilot episode of a Civil War television drama called “Glory, Glory.” That was a big-budget costume drama. But now I can honestly say that the budget really didn’t matter. I see the quality of what we are accomplishing with Nicholas of Myra and I believe the production value is right up there.

What was the first thing that drew your interest toward playing the role of Saint Nicholas of Myra?

Mesler: First of all, hearing the word “Saint.” In my opinion, to have the word “Saint” before your name means you fulfilled some pretty high expectations in life. Aside from that, I really didn’t know much about Saint Nicholas -- and that got me even more interested. Once I read the script, I was blown away. Not just because it was a great story, but because I knew this was a role for an A-list actor. I mean, who am I? (sarcastically) I’m nobody. And yet there I was, being offered the role of a lifetime.

In the film, you play Nicholas from the age of 19 to 63. Tell me about the transformation you undergo throughout the film.

Mesler: Well, I have naturally light brown hair and green eyes. So I needed to permanently color my hair and get dark brown contacts to match the look Jerry (the Director) wanted. Other than the hair coloring and contacts, the early scenes that I appear in aren’t too bad. It’s not until Nicholas prematurely ages in the dungeon that I end up having to spend four hours in the make-up chair. I’m bearded and gray through a majority of the film.

Is there anything unpleasant about the lengthy make-up process for those scenes?

Mesler: Spirit gum (snickering). It basically glues hair to your face and makes your eyes water. But then I look at the overall picture. And I’m reminded of how lucky I am to even be able to complain about the process that I have to go through to play this character. By the end of the movie, Nicholas evolves into the iconic image that everyone will recognize. I’m honored to be in the role.

What do you think you will take from this experience?

Mesler: People have already approached me, thankful that we’re making this movie. It’s a humbling experience. What I can take from this, comes right from the character in the script. Nicholas isn’t perfect. He struggles with his faith after loss, especially family losses, as we all do. But his faith endures. To him, giving is everything. ---