Three movies filmed in Central New York are coming out next month.
Release dates have been set for “Holly Slept Over,” “Banana Split,” and “Big Time Adolescence,” all produced by Jeremy Garelick’s Liverpool, N.Y.-based film company American High. Scenes were shot in Syracuse and the surrounding area, including at the Greater Syracuse Soundstage (formerly known as the nano film hub in DeWitt) and the former A.V. Zogg Middle School in Liverpool, now a film studio and trade school known as Syracuse Studios.
Here are all the details, including the casts, plots, and when you can watch them:
“Holly Slept Over” – March 3 direct to digital/VOD
Synopsis: When Audra confesses to her husband that she once had sex with Holly, her college roommate, their lives take an exciting and unexpected turn. Holly’s surprise visit and undeniable charm enliven both Noel and Audra, sparking new insight into their relationship. A door opens for the three of them to experience something they never could have anticipated.
Written and directed by Joshua Friedlander; starring Josh Lawson (“House of Lies”), Nathalie Emmanuel (“Game of Thrones”), Britt Lower (“Man Seeking Woman”), Erinn Hayes (“Kevin Can Wait”) and Ron Livingston (“Office Space”). Distributed by Sony Pictures.
“Holly Slept Over” was the first movie shot in Syracuse by American High, back in the fall of 2017. American High focuses primarily on teen comedies set in high schools — Garelick said he bought the former Liverpoool middle school to focus on a niche market that’s been underserved since the John Hughes “Brat Pack” era — but this film appears to be aiming at an older audience. Scenes were shot in Manlius, Pompey, Liverpool and downtown Syracuse.
[embedded content]
“Big Time Adolescence” – March 13* in limited theaters and on Hulu
Synopsis: A suburban teenager comes of age under the destructive guidance of his best friend, an aimless college dropout.
Written and directed by Jason Orley; starring Pete Davidson (“Saturday Night Live”), Griffin Gluck (“American Vandal”), Colson Baker (better known as rapper Machine Gun Kelly), Syndey Sweeney (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Emily Arlook (“Grown-ish”), Thomas Barbusca (“The Mick”), Oona Lawrence (“Pete’s Dragon”), and Jon Cryer (“Pretty in Pink,” “Two and a Half Men”). Cryer told THR that he loved doing the movie because he got to punch Davidson in the face.
Davidson earned rave reviews for his performance and the movie was nominated for the grand jury prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Hulu bought the rights to the film for $4 million last year.
During filming in the summer of 2018, Davidson’s then-fiancee Ariana Grande visited Syracuse and Machine Gun Kelly made a music video. Davidson also stirred up controversy when he later called Syracuse “trash” and accused Manlius Police of targeting him when he was pulled over in August 2018; Davidson was not arrested, but his friend Joey Gay was charged with marijuana possession in the incident.
*Note: American High has not confirmed when “Big Time Adolescence” will be available for streaming on Hulu, but movie ticketing website Fandango says the film will be released in theaters on March 13.
“Banana Split” – March 27 in limited theaters and on digital/VOD
Synopsis: Over the course of a summer, two teenage girls develop the perfect kindred spirit friendship, with one big problem: one of them is dating the other’s ex.
Starring Hannah Marks (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Dylan Sprouse (“Big Daddy,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”) and Liana Liberato (“If I Stay”); written by Marks and Joey Power; directed by Benjamin Kasulke. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment and UPHE Content Group.
According to The Wrap, “Banana Split” won the Special Jury Prize at the Independent Film Festival Of Boston, the Jury Prize for Best Comedy Feature at the Woods Hole Film Festival, and multiple awards at the 2019 Oceanside International Film Festival, including best picture.
Despite being set in summer, “Banana Split” was filmed in CNY in December 2017, with scenes at the former A.V. Zogg Middle School, Heid’s ice cream shop, and a private residence on Sedgwick Drive in Syracuse. Sprouse told MTV that due to the cold weather, some exterior scenes had to be shot in Los Angeles.
All three films are produced by American High and Garelick, best known for directing “The Wedding Ringer,” writing “The Break-Up,” and uncredited writing work for “The Hangover.” Garelick also directed American High’s sixth movie, “The Binge,” starring Vince Vaughn, in the Syracuse area; the “Purge”-inspired comedy is expected to be released on Hulu later this year.
Other American High movies shot in Syracuse over the past two and a half years include “Looks That Kill” (starring Brandon Flynn), “Sid is Dead” (starring Joey Bragg and Mary Stuart Masterson) and “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” (starring Keean Johnson and Madeline Brewer). Release dates have not been announced.
- Liverpool film studio, school names new president; aims to bring more movies to CNY
- Want to learn how to make movies? Syracuse Studios offers classes to public at new Academy
Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Let’s block ads! (Why?)
