Jun 20 ARTSY SMARTSY, FEATURE SIDEBAR, Film No Comments on FILMING IMMORTALITY: Independent filmmaker Tanya Fermin brings unreal life to Wilmingtons film industry

FERMIN ON THE JOB: Writer and director of HAON films newest series in Wilmington, NC. Courtesy photo

The shoot ends and its director, Tanya Fermin, addresses crewmembers who were trying to find her. Its like a maze in here, she sighs, as she makes her way to the exit. Her current TV series, HAON, is a supernatural drama she will pitch to Netflix. The story centers around a small girl who begins to exhibit strange abilities, and those who want to protect her from being exploited. Some characters have a range of special abilities, like telepathy and clairvoyance, while the haons display longevity that borders on immortality.

The main villain has been taking advantage of clairvoyants to attain wealth this entire time, Fermin explains, but now that he knows haons exist, he thinks they hold the key to eternal life.

This isnt Fermins first foray as a writer-director. Her short film, The Arrangements, made the rounds in 2016, and aired on over 90 stations across the United States. Its a true story, Fermin explains. It deals with the passing of a loved one seen through the eyes of the family. The film was written for her grandmother, Ophelia M. Pridgen, shortly after her passing. Shes my inspiration, Fermin declares with pride. Ive never had writers block after I wrote The Arrangements for her.

Pridgen inspired the main concept of HAON when she looked at Fermins adopted daughter and exclaimed, I think youve been here before. Upon hearing it, Fermin took the mysterious statement and ran with it.

You never know an adopted childs medical history, she notes. So youre warned about not knowing what kind of medical conditions could come up years later. But what if something comes up that isnt medical? What if its something you cant understand?

Fermin also was moved by her grandmothers clear recollection of Southern history throughout life. It was like having an historian right there with you, she recalls. She could tell you about things the history books never covered.

To keep these memories alive, Fermin places characters in HAON throughout different eras in time. We cannot accurately go further than the 1860s in the historical record, due to our heritage, Fermin explains, but thats not going to stop me from showing some things that history tried to hide.

The shows theme of paranormal longevity affords Fermin the ability to explore these concepts, adding substance to the series supernatural elements.

Local sites are chosen for their conceptual similarities to the script: plantations, replicas of Christopher Columbus ships, and in particular, the Octagon House in Swansboro. It became a perfect location for filming the pilot episode.

A drowning took place there, Fermin explains, and the first episode opens with a girl drowning. The girls name on the tombstone is the same as the character who drowned.

The scripts supernatural theme often requires Fermin to shoot in unpleasant locations, such as fetid swamps and abandoned graveyards, but she refuses to back down. Im not afraid, she exclaims. Ill pray the ghosts away. Ill pray the snakes away.

HOAN is far from a one-woman ordeal. The shows producer, Carol Stephans, has worked with Fermin for years. Shes always ready to go, according to Stephans. Fermin attributes successes of HAON and The Arrangements to Wilmingtons willingness to help independent filmmakers. It is what keeps bringing her back to the Cape Fear when other states offer better film incentives than NC.

A dire side effect of NCs nulled film tax credit program (axed by former-governor Pat McCrory in 2015), is the lack of jobs for all positions in film, like actors of all stripes in Wilmington. Its hard to find older actors because their roles are diminishing, Fermin tells. To help fill this void, she writes characters of all ages, genders, races, and sexualities. Once written, she casts them appropriately.

Its not stereotypical, and theyre not written to conform to stereotypes, Fermin tells. Theyre actual people who happen to be who they are. And I always have some tough, fierce women characters. Its just a part of life.

Pat Gallaher, who plays the main villain in HOAN, affirms Wilmingtons value for independent filmmakers. Gallaher met Fermin when they both played police officers in Sleepy Hollow and Two-Eleven, both of which were filmed in Wilmington. You dont have to train someone from scratch to get the job done here, he says. Gallaher doubles as HAONs assistant director when not on screen. We all switch roles, he says.

Plenty of students from Cape Fear Community College assist the crew, but the level of professionality displayed on set is equal among them. Professionals may run the cameras, while students assist them.

Fermin also called in a special favor from local cinematographer Joe Dunton, who has worked with cinematic luminaries like Stanley Kubrick. Dunton consulted with Fermin on her debut film and encouraged her to use certain angles to provoke emotion. I think thats one reason the film did so well, she explains. I called him for another favor [for HAON.] Pivotal scenes in HAON have been filmed at Duntons camera shop to honor him.

HAON is still in development, but you can follow its progress at http://www.facebook.com/findthehaon.

HAONThe Arrangements Two-ElevenArt in Bloom GalleryCape Fear Community CollegeCarol StephansChristopher Columbusencore magazineJames McCreaJoe DuntonNetflixOphelia M. PridgenPat GallaherPat McCrorysleepy hollowTanya FerminWilmington NC

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FILMING IMMORTALITY: Independent filmmaker Tanya Fermin brings unreal life to Wilmington's film industry - encore Online