CITRUS CO., Fla. — A slice of Hollywood has found its way to Florida’s Nature Coast. Citrus County is taking center stage as the prime location for a new movie being shot.
The movie is called “Skinwalker Island” and is an indie horror film set in the deep south. But the movie is going beyond its unique genre.
In the remote woods of Citrus County, a movie set and its crew have set up in producer Nick Tamposi’s very own backyard.
“I can’t imagine doing this anywhere else and having the comfort of doing it at our own home,” he said.
Tamposi has been making movies for five years. He and his wife have their own talent agency, managing fashion models from New York to Miami. With a background in photography for many years, the transition, he says, was seamless.
“Just fell in love with the whole process of the filmmaking side,” said Tamposi, a producer of the film. “I’ve been a photographer for many years and it was just a natural progression to move over onto this side. Being able to do it with my kids and my family is just a complete blessing.”
Like with any movie, the crew is pretty extensive, including writer and director Jon Carlo.
“We always really wanted to do a horror film because we love the genre, also because it’s just so popular right now and they sell well, and this area lends itself so perfectly to a horror film,” Carlo said.
And what’s a movie without its cast? One of the leading roles is played by social media influencer ‘Too Turnt Tony.’ Well-known across the internet for his quirky videos featuring him and his duck, ‘Baby Girl.’
“It’s almost come like full circle, because she’s been in all of the videos since we started, and now we’re doing a movie together, so it’s cool,” said Tony. “I’m glad they put her in a cameo and she’s loving it. She’s quiet right now, so she must be happy, but yeah, it’s been cool to have her along the journey for sure.”
It’s a different approach to movie-making. One that Carlo says could be a game-changer for the industry.
“We have someone that has more power than any PR company can bring on or an advertising company,” he said. “We have someone that if one percent of his followers convert and rent the movie, that’s real box office money. We’re really excited to see what this non-conventional approach to marketing a movie turns into.”
It’s also an opportunity for Citrus County. A community, Carlo says, that has been so welcoming to them. A favor they would like to return.
“If we can eventually figure out a way to train and hire locally across the board, that’s how I feel like we can really give back to the community.”
Which could extend beyond the camera lens.
“Putting it on camera and letting people see the real natural beauty of the area and the charm of the deep south setting that we have, it’s almost a character itself: Citrus County,” said Tamposi. “So we’d love to have more film here and we’re going to continue to do more filming as we go.”
Shining the spotlight on the idea of more show biz along the Nature Coast.
Carlo says they plan to have the movie premiere in early summer. Exclusive streaming rights are still being negotiated.
Calvin Lewis
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