Western New York Media Coverage:

  
 
(Click HERE To Return To The Regular News Updates)
  
 
 
     
 

Epic Premiere To Be Held Here In 2009

10/06/08

  
     
 

The growing number of fans who have been anxiously awaiting the premiere of Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas will, unfortunately, have to wait a little longer. With inclement weather conditions, scheduling conflicts and the extended length of time it took to complete the film's single largest set piece, the producers of the epic feature decided to target a Western New York premiere in 2009, instead of the upcoming 2008 Holiday Season.

 
     
 

Longing for life on the high seas, Nicholas (Matthew Mesler) is about to discover his destiny in the city of Myra, in a scene from Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas (photo by G. Hartke).

  
     
 
"Due to some unfortunate setbacks, we weren't able to complete our shooting schedule in time for a premiere this Christmas," said Nicholas of Myra Writer / Director Gerald Hartke. Knowing the scope of what was left to shoot last summer, the director felt that whether or not the production was on schedule at the time, he still needed to push foward as if it was. "As the summer went on," he added, "it became clearer and clearer that circumstances were not going to cooperate with our plans for a 2008 premiere. We had a lot of obstacles piling up before us."
  
     
 

Star Matthew Mesler gets into costume on the set of Nicholas of Myra (photo by A. Griswold).

In fact, one major exterior set piece the production had almost wrapped shooting on was completely wiped out when remnants of Hurricane Ike rolled through Western New York. "We are now in the process of rebuilding it," the director informed. Through all the trials and tribulations the production has endured over the past three years, Hartke feels that he has fought successfully to maintain the film's quality and integrity. "After all that we've been through on this project, the commitment of my cast and crew is what has held it all together," he stated. "They believe in the power of the story as well as the importance of the project... and I believe the finished film is going to be an experience worth waiting for."
 
     
 
With principle photography now nearly complete, the plan is to premiere the film in Western New York, then London England, prior to next Holiday Season. The producers of Nicholas of Myra will begin seeking worldwide distribution for the film in 2009. Although Hartke feels that the wait will be worth it, he anounced that there will be some special surprises related to the film for this Holiday Season in Western New York. "One thing that we have in the works for this Christmas is a half-hour television program on the making of the movie," he revealed. "It should be quite entertaining. I think people will be surprised by the scope of what we've been working on for the last three years."
  
     
     
 
 
     
 

EXCLUSIVE: Western New Yorkers Get A Behind-The-Scenes Look At Epic Set Piece

07/07/08

  
     
 

"Believe it or not, sailing is actually a crucial part of the history of Saint Nicholas," said Nicholas of Myra Writer / Director Gerald Hartke, when asked about the importance of one major set piece being constructed for the film. "Most people aren't aware of the fact that Nicholas of Myra is not only the patron saint of children, but was also known for centuries as the patron saint of sailors and seafarers."

In order to tell the story of Saint Nicholas as an epic motion picture, the director and his production team realized early on that they were going to have to build an actual ship from the period. Since July of 2007, Production Designer David King has been hard at work overseeing construction on the ship that, he admits, is the single largest set piece he's ever created. "I've done some big projects for theatre and other venues, but this is the biggest," said King. Hidden in a large warehouse outside the city of Buffalo, King and his crew have been meticulously constructing a full-size Greco-Roman sailing ship - along with its quarter-scale, fully-functional replica - completely from scratch.

  
     
 

Scheduled for completion later this month, the full-size, historically accurate, sailing vessel (pictured here in early March) has been under construction for the last year at an undiclosed location in Buffalo, NY (photo by G. Hartke, Sr.).

  
     
 
Known as a corbita, the ship's distinct design was extensively researched by King along with the help of John Montague, a marine archeology consultant to the film and Director of the Buffalo State College Maritime Center. "As far as we know," stated Hartke, "it is the only authentic Greco-Roman corbita that exists in the world today."
  
     
 

The rolling deck of the 85 ft. long corbita was engineered to create the illusion of a storm-tossed vessel at sea (photo by G. Hartke, Sr.).

  
     
 

"As a boy in the film, Nicholas encounters a situation at sea that gives birth to a legendary sailors' story," Hartke revealed. "The tale is only one of many miraculous and inspirational events involving Saint Nicholas of Myra, but it's also one of the more exciting ones. All of us that work on the project are looking forward to shooting that very soon."

  
     
 

Testing the ship's seaworthiness, Production Designer David King (hidden below deck), who's also an experienced sailor, recently took the quarter-scale replica corbita on its maiden voyage across Hoyt Lake in Buffalo, NY (photo by G. Hartke, Sr.).

  
     
 

Clocking in at more than three hours in length, the epic film admittedly has a great deal of story to tell. "Throughout the picture, you'll see many legends surrounding Saint Nicholas told in very dramatic ways," Hartke informed. "Young Nicholas' high-sea adventure is promised to be one of the most memorable."

Look for upcoming web documentaries to grant fans more behind-the-scenes access to the set of Nicholas of Myra.

 
     
     
 
 
     
 

Theatre Veterans Elkin And O'Neill On Location In Historic Mumford, NY

04/14/08

  
     
 
Having recently cast two of the most revered actors that WNY has to offer, the producers of Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas were anxious to get the venerable duo on location at the authentic, 19th Century, Genesee Country Village in Mumford, NY. "Although every character is important to telling this great story about Saint Nicholas, the roles that Saul Elkin and Vincent O'Neill fill are of particular importance to the film," said Nicholas of Myra star and producer, Matthew Mesler.
  
     
 

Vincent O'Neill plays a role of "particular importance" in the epic film Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas (photo by J. T. Barnes).

  
With a majority of the location shooting in historic Mumford now complete, both Elkin and O'Neill hold shared enthusiasm for the experience of working on this extremely ambitious independent production. "I love the family-like atmosphere, the professionalism and attention to detail of the director, technicians and crew," said O'Neill. "It has a fascinating subject matter with a universal theme that appeals to all age groups. This film has the potential to put Buffalo on the national cinematic map." Actor Saul Elkin admittedly knew very little about Saint Nicholas at the time he was first contacted by the production, regarding a role in the film. Elkin soon realized the significance of the story after he began reading the script, stating... "aside from common knowledge, I had no idea how rich and moving a story it is."
  
     
     
 

Saul Elkin plays the role of a 19th Century Dutch philanthropist who holds an ancient and enduring secret... and good reason to believe in old Saint Nick (photo by J. T. Barnes).

  
     
 
When asked about his transition from the WNY stage to the silver screen, Elkin offered a seasoned perspective. "When you have spent most of your working career on stage, the real difference for me is the intimacy of the work. Because you don't have to push to be heard or seen, as you do in live theatre, it gives you the opportunity for a truly naturalistic style. And, because Vincent and I are old friends, and have worked together frequently, we can truly speak to each other on camera." "Working with Saul is always a special pleasure for me," responded O'Neill. "He is an enormously warm and generous actor, and I believe that we share a special performance chemistry that reflects our real-life friendship." As the film's star, Mesler is extremely grateful to Elkin and O'Neill for their esteemed contributions. "They introduce the story and then close it, in a magical way," he explained. "To have such great veteran actors in the bookends of this film is truly a privilege. Not only for the production, but for the audience as well."
  
     
 

The Nicholas of Myra crew sets up at one of three locations being used at the Genesee Country Village in Mumford (photo by J. T. Barnes).

  
     
 

Utilizing locations like the Genesee Country Village and exceptional talent, such as Elkin and O'Neill, the producers of Nicholas of Myra hope that they will inspire major motion picture productions to further tap filmmaking resources outside of Hollywood. Elkin expressed a similar sentiment. "My hope would be that the theatre community in WNY will continue to be enriched by more and more film production. The human resources are here... interesting locations, a very talented pool of actors, and a growing number of excellent professional theatres." O'Neill concurs. "We are aware of the extraordinarily rich theatre, art, literary, music and architectural communities here," he stated. "And it is fascinating to see a burgeoning independent film community also, of which Nicholas of Myra is the most salient current example."

Look for video interviews with Saul Elkin, Vincent O'Neill, star Matthew Mesler and more to be available for viewing beginning in May.

 
     
     
 
 
     
 

Western New York Stage Elite To Appear In Nicholas Of Myra

02/20/08

  
     
 

Respected stage actors Saul Elkin and Vincent O'Neill recently signed on to play significant roles in Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas. Considered by many to be the "theatre royalty" of Western New York, the two veterans of the stage have expressed excitement about the opportunity to work together on screen in Nicholas of Myra.

Writer & Director Gerald Hartke has been tightlipped about the characters Elkin and O-Neill are set to play, but has confirmed that the scenes they'll perform in together take place in early 19th Century New York and should be completed in a few weeks. "The Pre-Victorian Era scenes that they appear in provide bookends for the rest of the film," said Hartke. "Although they're only in a total of about twenty minutes of the movie, the characters they play are extremely important to the overall story we're telling about Saint Nicholas. I'm honored to have their involvement in the project."

Look for further local media coverage of Saul Elkin and Vincent O'Neill on the set of Nicholas of Myra in the coming weeks.

  
     
     
 
 
     
 

97 Rock Radio Interview Now Available

01/28/08

  
     
 

On December 6th (The Feast Day of Saint Nicholas) 2007, the morning radio programmers at 97 Rock, Buffalo broadcast an exclusive interview with Nicholas of Myra Writer / Director Gerald Hartke.

Known as "Norton In The Morning", the morning show team of Larry Norton, Rob Lederman, Chris Klein and Russ Burton conducted the over-the-phone interview with Hartke to discuss the making of the film and to share their excitement about the project with listeners.

To listen to the December 6th interview in its entirety, click here.

  
     
     
 
 
     
 

Canisius College Student Wins Nicholas Of Myra Movie Sweepstakes

01/25/08

  
     
 

On Wednesday, January 23rd, star Matthew Mesler performed the blind draw to wrap up the official Nicholas of Myra movie sweepstakes. The winner, Canisius College student Joe Robinson, will receive a tour of Wonderworker Studios (where Nicholas of Myra is being produced), a day on the set of the film and a background role this spring.

Sweepstakes entries were made online at the film's website between November 23, 2007 and January 20, 2008. The sweepstakes promotion coincided with the sale of the official Nicholas of Myra teaser poster at local Western New York retailers during the recent Holiday Season. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Toys For Tots of WNY. The producers behind Nicholas of Myra would like to thank the participating retailers below for their involvement.

CLARENCE EYE CARE
Main Street – Clarence

CREEKVIEW RESTAURANT
Main Street – Williamsville

HOLLYWOOD GALLERIES
Walden Galleria – Cheektowaga

LA NOVA PIZZERIA
Main Street – Williamsville

PONY'S RESTAURANT
Main Street – Clarence

QUEEN CITY BOOK STORE
Main Street – Buffalo

RECORD THEATRE
All Locations

THE SCREENING ROOM INC
Sheridan Drive – Amherst

TIM HORTON’S
Main Street – Clarence

  
     
     
 
 
     
 

WGRZ-TV Provides Behind-The-Scenes News Coverage Of Epic Nicholas Of Myra

01/21/08

  
     
 

In October and December of last year, NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV, Buffalo provided behind-the-scenes coverage of some of the production activity that was happening around town for the epic film Nicholas of Myra. In case you are a local Western New Yorker who happened to miss the special reports, we have listed the web links below. Each web page presents the story in transcript form along with an opportunity to watch the original video report.

News Links Courtesy of wgrz.com:

Lights, Camera, Action... in Buffalo -- Aired 10/29/07

Nicholas of Myra -- Aired 12/06/07

Look for other media coverage to be presented in the weeks to come.

  
     
     
 
 
     
 

 

MAIN PAGE (SMALL)

MAIN PAGE (LARGE)