Described as a horror movie with heart, “Day of the Cicadas” will begin filming in Howell on July 15.
The low-budget film is a “father/daughter” story about cicadas that chemical waste cause to mutate, become violent and attack people.
It is hoped that the movie will be ready for release by Halloween.
The director is Lance Kawas, a graduate of the University of Michigan who lives in the Detroit area. Nancy Oeswein, who lives in Rochester, is the locations manager and production designer. The two have worked together in the past on projects like “Raft to the Sun,” a short film; and “Gambit: Thief of Hearts,” a Marvel Fan series. Oeswein describes Kawas as the best director in Michigan.
As for Howell, the town will be “very present’ in “Day of the Cicadas” as Cicadaville, and a lot of the action takes place at the Cicada Festival.
As a location, Howell was a perfect fit to play Cicadaville, a town with a beautiful, vintage downtown in which summer festivals take place. The only difference between the real Howell and the cinematic Cicadaville is that Cicadaville is smaller.
So how low budget is the film?
Oeswein, who has worked on over 60 films, said “Day of the Cicadas” will get made for “less than what a Hollywood production spends on snacks,” which means the movie will be made with “a lot of magic.”
“We have to rely on the kindness of strangers and we penny pinch,” Oeswein said. “We have to do it old school, but it works.”
Both Kawas and Oeswein had high praise for Jen Baca from Howell Recreation, with whom they’ve been working.
“She’s been amazing,” Oeswein said.
Extras needed
Extras are needed for the film at various times on July 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, at locations around town including the historic Livingston County Courthouse.
Filming will also take place during the Howell Melon Festival, which runs Aug. 13-16.
The film is looking for extras from age 8-18 for the evening of Friday, July 24, and a “ton of people (of all ages) will be needed all day long” on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and July 26.
If you’re interested in being an extra on the film, send an email to dayofthecicadasextras@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and age.
