Comedy movie begins filming in St. Joseph

By Kyle Schmidt

St. Joseph will be the backdrop of a new comedy movie, which began filming this week.

The movie, titled “25 Miles to Normal,” was written and directed by Josh Brandon. It was described as a family/comedy by Christian Mengel, director of communications at the Convention and Visitors Bureau

“So far I only know it’s a comedy, a family comedy,” Mengel said. “I overheard the director describe it to a few locals as a family ‘dramedy.’”

Mengel has been in contact with the director since April and has been in communication throughout the days of filming.

“It’s been every single day. It’s been multiple times a day, probably for weeks,” Mengel said. “Answering every question from, ‘Do you know somebody that drives a stick? Do you know somebody that has a lake?’ The most random questions that you could think of.”

Mengel said the recent film tax credit act that passed last year was a huge help to making this happen.

“It’s gone from, we wouldn’t have been looking here if it wasn’t for this tax credit to now some of the off days they are talking about, ‘Oh, wow, housing is super affordable here, wow look at the commercial products they have for sale,’” Mengel said. “They are actually excited to be here and they are picturing themselves here long-term and that is something we never would have gotten without the tax credit.”

Mengel has reached out to people in the community and everyone has been able to help when called upon.

As of June 25, the crew has filmed out of rural Buchanan County and most of the filming left will be inside city limits to St. Joseph.

The original plan for the film was to be shot mostly in Kansas City but after a visit in St. Joseph, plans changed.

“We found a spot that was going to work and they instantly jumped on it and they were like, ‘Yeah, this is great, what else you got?’” Mengel said. “Eventually it led to the director sending out an email saying they want to shoot a majority of it in St. Joseph.”

The community involvement has stood out for the crew.

The 25 Miles to Normal website said, “We have been overwhelmed by the number of people and businesses who have come forward to help bring this film to life.”

Community members who would like to be extras in the film can email 25milesmovie@gmail.com to request it.