With the casting call for extras finishing last weekend, the movie “Because of Winn Dixie” will soon start filming in Napoleonville.
The Governor’s Office of Film and Television Development is joining with 20th Century Fox to turn the village of Napoleonville into Naomi, Fla. This will be the location for the entire movie, which starts filming at the end of the month.
The movie is based on the children’s book, of the same name, by Kate Dicamillo. It tells the story of a ten-year-old girl named Opal, who befriends a dog, which she promptly names Winn Dixie, and of the colorful people they meet in this small, rural town, such as Miss Fanny, the librarian who has a desk full of “Litmus Lozenges” and Gloria Dump, the lady local kids think is a witch.
According to Mark Smith, director of the Governor’s Office of Film and Television development, this is not the type of movie one normally sees in today’s world. “Parents do not need to be worried because the production company and 20th Century Fox want to produce a movie the entire family can enjoy,” Smith said in a recent press release. “This will be a rated G movie.”
The movie will be shot from September 29 until around November 24. Shooting will take place about ten hours per day, five days a week, depending on the weather.
Right now, according to Michael Delaune, director of university relations, there are no plans to film at Nicholls. “I have not received any word of their wanting to use Nicholls State University as a filming location. So, unfortunately this will not create any publicity for the university,” he said.
However, he said this will be a great opportunity for both students and faculty to either see a movie being filmed or participate as an extra.
Those interested in being hired should check with the Mayor of Napoleonville’s Office at (985) 369-6365, for contact numbers and dates.