Shooting of movie in Middletown wrapping up; another begins

A new movie, "Water's Edge", is being filmed around the area including at Hueston Woods State Park, Middletown and this private farm in Preble County.  NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

A new movie, "Water's Edge", is being filmed around the area including at Hueston Woods State Park, Middletown and this private farm in Preble County. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

A third movie shot in the area by director and producer Lana Read is finishing production this week, while another movie just began shooting Monday in Middletown.

“Water’s Edge,” Read’s 11th motion picture, is about friendship and murder among five best friends and features scenes shot in Middletown, the Hueston Woods Lodge and a farm in Preble County in the past two weeks.

The final scenes were scheduled to be shot Tuesday in downtown Dayton.

The director’s movie “Death for Dinner” was shot last spring at a Middletown historic home and premiered last month at the Sorg Opera House.

Read is a Middletown native who prefers to keep her movie-making local when possible.

A new movie, "Water's Edge", is being filmed around the area including at Hueston Woods State Park, Middletown and a private farm in Preble County.  Crew members, including director Lana Read,  gather around to view a scene. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

“Water’s Edge” stars Michael Pare’ (”Eddie and the Cruisers”), Eric Roberts (multiple movies and television series) and character actor Bill Oberst Jr., best known for work in horror and cult movies

“Five best friends from junior high get together every year for hike in the woods. Five go in, only four return,” said Greg Siewny, a producer of film and retired Middletown doctor. “There is murder, there’s intrigue, secrets are revealed, there’s blackmail ... it is a thriller.”

Both movies will be sold for streaming release after the Middletown premiere.

In 2022, Read’s film, “A Bachelor’s Valentine,” was shot entirely in Middletown.

On Monday, residents in the area of Lamberton Road and Corta Via in the Barbara Park neighborhood in Middletown were notified of a week-long shoot for the independent movie “The Mastermind.” Media reports say it has also been shooting in Cincinnati.

Josh O’Connor is starring in Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind.” Reichardt is directing the film.

Middletown police have off duty officers assigned for security and traffic control at the shooting area of the film that is set in the 1970s, according to information provided to residents. Filming is scheduled to last through 10 p.m. Friday,

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