News Summary
Virginia Beach’s film scene is thriving with filmmakers Will Harwell and John Plasse gaining recognition through their recent projects, while a high-profile Pharrell Williams production faces cancellation. Harwell’s ‘Downtown Disarray’ has premiered locally and aims for national film festivals like Sundance, showcasing community support and creative talent. Plasse’s ‘The Pirate King’ features notable actors and highlights local culture, marking his directorial debut. Meanwhile, Pharrell’s ‘Golden’ project was canceled, reflecting industry challenges. Despite setbacks, Virginia Beach demonstrates vibrant artistic growth and potential for future filmmakers.
Virginia Beach is experiencing a surge of local talent in the film industry, with two notable filmmakers showcasing their work and a high-profile project facing cancellation. Will Harwell has recently premiered his short film “Downtown Disarray”, while John Plasse wrapped filming on his movie “The Pirate King”. Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams’ film project has been canceled during post-production.
Will Harwell’s “Downtown Disarray” Shines
Virginia Beach native Will Harwell is gaining recognition in the film industry with the release of his short film “Downtown Disarray”, which premiered in the neighborhood where he grew up. The film centers on a brotherly showdown and was originally conceived as a school project during Harwell’s time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The production incurred costs exceeding $20,000, which covered rented sets and the use of live horses for filming.
Through community support, local friends and neighbors hosted fundraisers at venues such as Flip Flops VB Grill to help finance the project. The generous contributions allowed Harwell to secure an old bar as a significant filming location. The premiere welcomed attendees on a Saturday night, embodying the communal love for art and film.
Harwell has submitted “Downtown Disarray” to various national film festivals, including the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. His involvement in the Virginia Beach arts scene has been inspired by other successful local filmmakers, and he hopes to motivate the next generation of filmmakers.
A public release date for the film is currently being finalized.
John Plasse’s “The Pirate King” Nears Completion
In another significant development, Virginia Beach native John Plasse has just concluded filming for his movie “The Pirate King” in Neptune City. This production features comedic actor Rob Riggle and actress Jordana Brewster and follows the story of a former Marine suffering from PTSD and addiction, who finds unexpected camaraderie within a group of pirate reenactors.
Plasse, who is known for directing segments of the hit show iCarly, describes the film as a “love letter” to his hometown. Supported by three production companies—Morning Moon Productions, Pine Bay Pictures, and Traction—the film was produced with a budget of approximately $2 million, aligning it with respected independent films. Filming took place entirely within the Hampton Roads area over an 18-day period.
Based in part on the life of Plasse’s uncle, a local pirate reenactor, “The Pirate King” aims to honor veterans while delivering an engaging narrative filled with humor. This project marks Plasse’s directorial debut, having previously acted in over 50 television episodes and produced three films.
Pharrell Williams’ Project Faces Cancellation
Aside from the flourishing local projects, the Virginia film scene has also encountered a setback. Pharrell Williams’ film, initially titled “Atlantis” and rebranded as “Golden”, has been cancelled in the post-production phase due to unmet expectations from the director and producers. Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds confirmed the cancellation, which significantly impacts the landscape of local filmmaking.
This announcement follows the recent end of Pharrell’s “Something in the Water” music festival, which also faced challenges related to organizers missing deadlines. Despite this setback, Pharrell’s LEGO film titled “Piece by Piece”, which reflects on his life story, was released in October.
Despite the challenges faced within the film industry, the emerging talents of Harwell and Plasse showcase the vibrant creativity and potential that exists within Virginia Beach, inspiring future generations of filmmakers.
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Additional Resources
- WAVY: Virginia Beach Filmmaker Brings Western Flair to Short Film
- WTKR: Virginia Beach in Spotlight for Filming of The Pirate King Movie
- 13News Now: Pharrell Live Action Movie Golden Canceled
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- Pilot Online: High School Quarterback Turned Hollywood Up-and-Comer Films Movie
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
