Oct. 27, 2003

VCU's Franklin Street Gym pool is site of movie production

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By Malorie Burkett

Filming for the low-budget movie "Living the Lie," recently took place at Virginia Commonwealth University's Franklin Street Gym pool.

Film scouts for the production say they selected VCU's pool because they were immediately attracted to the pool's overall retro appearance.

Directed by Jeff Wadlow, the movie is described as a psychological thriller that focuses on a group of intellectual boarding school seniors who spend their free time playing a mysterious game of lies. Eventually, the lies become personal and the worlds of fiction and reality collide resulting in disastrous consequences.

Wadlow, the son of the late state Sen. Emily Couric and nephew of Katie Couric, won the 2002 Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival, giving him the opportunity to shoot the film. Based on Wadlow's winning entry in the festival, "Living the Lie" stars rock star and actor, Jon Bon Jovi, Jared Padalecki of the WB sitcom "Gilmore Girls," Lindy Booth of the 2002 horror film "Wrong Turn," and Julian Morris of the NBC pilot "Young Arthur."

In addition to VCU's Franklin Street Gym pool, the cast and crew spent several days shooting at the University of Richmond, the set of the movie's boarding school. Other area sites will include the Laburnum House and St. Joseph's Villa. Filming for "Living the Lie" will wrap Nov. 3, and the movie is scheduled for release in the spring.

During a break from rehearsing, one of the film's stars, Julian Morris, (top railing) points a camcorder at Jeff Wadlow, director of "Living the Lie" while other cast and crew members prepare for a scene.
During a break from rehearsing, one of the film's stars, Julian Morris, (top railing) points a camcorder at Jeff Wadlow, director of "Living the Lie" while other cast and crew members prepare for a scene.


The cast and crew for the film occupied part of West Franklin Street with trucks and other vehicles, including this trailer, which housed the dressing rooms for some of the actors and actresses. Photos by Malorie Janis, University News Services
The cast and crew for the film occupied part of West Franklin Street with trucks and other vehicles, including this trailer, which housed the dressing rooms for some of the actors and actresses. Photos by Malorie Janis, University News Services