By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Dec 2, 2014, 14:20
PRINCE GEORGE — Local artist Zivan “NuJay” Holloway has been hard at work the past two and a half years preparing for a very important night. A night where all his hard work will pay off, and be seen by the entire community.
This important night is Dec. 6, when NuJay’s “Once Upon a Christmas” movie premieres at the Morning Star Baptist Church in Burrowsville.
NuJay’s movie takes place on Christmas when character James Johnson invites his family to celebrate the holiday at his home. The family exchanges not only gifts but personal secrets as well.
“I wanted to do a family film that everyone could relate to, and I thought it would be a good film for the holiday season,” Holloway said.
The movie also shows how the family members handle their loved ones’ secrets following the holiday.
The idea for the production came following his stage play called “Underneath the Clothes,” which was performed six years ago. The premise for the play and the movie are the same, and the two stories are linked together.
“The movie is similar to the stage play, and it takes you in the past before everything you saw in the play,” Holloway said.
The movie is inspired by real events in Holloway’s life, but also includes stories that he came up with to show the importance of family. One of the inspirations for the film was Pearline Pender-Kelly, who starred alongside Holloway in his stage play. Pender-Kelly and Holloway spoke about doing another production together, when Pender-Kelly passed away, leaving no one to play her role. Holloway said the film is dedicated to her memory.
Holloway wrote, starred in, directed, and edited the production. He worked with Infinite Productions in Hopewell to work on music for the film and to edit the footage. Along with assistant director Lorine Jones, Holloway worked on casting for the project, which included holding auditions.
“All of the actors in the movie are local people, from Prince George, Hopewell, Richmond, and others around the area,” Holloway said.
The movie was filmed predominately in Prince George, but the cast and crew also traveled to Washington, D.C., and Maryland for filming. Holloway said his favorite part of the movie-making process was making his own sets, as well as being able to travel and film in different places, which also caused a lot of stress for him.
“It was really hard to get everyone together because everyone has different schedules,” Holloway said.
Despite having difficulties, the movie is now finished and will premiere at a red carpet event on Dec. 6. The red carpet will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the movie will screen at 7:30 p.m. at the Morning Star Baptist Church. Tickets for the premiere will be $5.00 for ages 12 and under, and $10 for those 13 and above.
On Dec. 7, there will be a dinner and movie event, starting at 2 p.m. with the movie showing at 4 p.m., with the ticket prices of $20 for ages 13 and up, and $10 for 12 and under.
The movie will also be shown Dec. 20 and 27 at the Burrowsville Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
Holloway hopes to show the community what really matters during the holiday season and to help people realize the true meaning of the holidays.
“I’m trying to show the importance of family and believing in what you do,” Holloway said. “Just knowing that as long as stay strong and love one another, we will all be successful in everything we do and we can overcome anything.”
