Film crew comes to Wading River to shoot "Splinterheads"
Comedy linked to Montauk Monster had two scenes filmed on National Grid property.
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The crew of "Splinterheads" sets up a shot on location in Wading River. The film stars several recognizable actors, including Lea Thompson and Christopher McDonald.
The heavy activity on the site just east of Randall Road was not the result of a National Grid project, but rather the filming of the upcoming independent movie, "Splinterheads."
"Splinterheads," a comedy about a young drifter who goes for a wild ride after he meets and falls for a carnival worker, has been filming in Suffolk County for the past four weeks. The film gained attention earlier this month when it was linked to the now infamous Montauk Monster by several media outlets who said the creature was part of a hoax used to drum up attention for the film, something the filmmakers vehemently deny.
"This movie has nothing to do with monsters," said producer Anisa Qureshi. "We don't even have a monster in the movie."
Regardless, the indie picture may reap the financial benefits of the national attention paid to the monster.
The film stars newcomer Thomas Middleditch as the male lead opposite Australian actress Rachael Taylor, perhaps best known for her role as Maggie Madsen in "Transformers."
"It really has a very professional, experienced cast," Ms. Qureshi said of the film, which is being directed by Brant Sersen, who previously helmed the improv comedy "Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story."
While the film, produced by Atlantic Pictures, does not take place on Long Island per se, most of it was shot in and around Brookhaven Town. A great deal of the filming took place in the Village of Patchogue and although the film is supposed to be "anywhere in New York State," Ms. Qureshi said many viewers will recognize Patchogue in the film. "The name of the village is everywhere in Patchogue," said Ms. Qureshi, who lives in Los Angeles and grew up in Northern California.
The filming in Wading River was for two driving scenes. The location was chosen because it provided the filmmakers with a long stretch of private road. To film the scenes, the crew used a process trailer, which tows the vehicles used in the scene so they, themselves, are not moving. Vehicles used on location in Wading River included a red pickup truck and a police car.
The cast and crew will wrap up filming next week in Rockland County. Because the scene required a swimming hole with a jump, the crew will have to leave Long Island for the first time since filming began last month.
"But we've really loved filming on Long Island," Ms. Qureshi said. "Especially for me, being from California, this is the first opportunity I've had to produce a film in New York. It's been a great experience."
Ms. Qureshi said she expects the movie, which has not yet been picked up by a distribution company, will play the festival circuit. And with the press it has received thanks to the Montauk Monster, it shouldn't have much trouble inspiring moviegoers' curiosity.
"I wish I could think of a really funny pun about how in the film industry we're all monsters, but seriously [the Montauk Monster] has nothing to do with us," Ms. Qureshi said. "I don't have time to concoct such a hoax ... and I can safely say there are no special effects even in this movie."
gparpan@northshoresun.com
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