St. Joseph goes ‘Hollywood’

By Kirsten Stokes

Missouri film credits are helping put St. Joseph in the spotlight with a second movie shooting in town this year.

Long known for its history, the city is attracting attention from Hollywood as the holiday movie “A Chrismystery” films here this month. Its producers also were involved in another movie, “25 Miles To Normal,” which was shot in St. Joseph and Kansas City during the summer.

The Show MO Motion Media Tax Incentive was an attraction for the makers of both movies, said Christian Mengel with the St. Joseph Visitors Bureau. He said the type of exposure that comes with having the city seen by national audiences is beneficial for local businesses and residents.

“So you have this big chunk of expenses that come in super quick in a super short period of time,” Mengel said. “And then when it’s done after the fact is that second part, which is after the movie’s been seen by people. If it’s regional, they’re like, ‘Oh, I know where that’s at,’ or ‘I’ve been there.’”

This summer, Fredrick Inn Steakhouse became part of the movie magic as a setting during the shooting of “25 Miles To Normal.” In the decade she has owned Frederick Inn, Amber McKnight said she never experienced anything like being part of the film.

McKnight said that a couple of months before filming in July, the production team scouted potential locations. Initially skeptical, she was surprised to receive an email two weeks later saying they were “delighted” to use the restaurant for two scenes in the film.

“Once we agreed upon a date, it was just kind of like, ‘All right, here we go,’” she said. “I actually kind of gave them the key and said, ‘Here you go’ because I had no idea what that all entailed.”

Observing the lights and cameras placed in her restaurant, McKnight said she found it difficult to recognize the original Fredrick Inn, which had been altered by taking off tablecloths, adding a television monitor and the presence of cast and crew. McKnight said that she thinks producers thought it was an ideal place to film because of the combination of a bar area and a dining room, which made it easy for production teams to shoot efficiently.

“I’m hoping the exposure part will definitely be worth it when people see it and then say, ‘Hey, maybe I want to go try that place that’s on that show’ or, you know, something like that,” McKnight said.

In addition, when crews and casts come to town, they bring dollars with them. According to filminmo.com, the direct spend average a day for an independent feature film is anywhere between $15,000 and $110,000, which includes food, lodging and supplies.

According to Mengel, Hazels Coffee & Roasting Co. essentially won producers over as the unofficial coffee provider for “25 Miles to Normal” because of its proximity to a scene that was shot in American Electric Lofts.

And the opportunities extend beyond the exposure and revenue. McKnight said she even was asked to play a role in “25 Miles to Normal.”

“I actually am the waitress in one scene,” she said.

The chance for everyday St. Joseph residents and businesses to be featured in these films is a positive, particularly for those hoping to break into the business. Paid cast and crew opportunities are available for residents in “A Chrismystery,” and those interested can email resumes to AChrismysteryMovie2024@gmail.com.

“That media influence that you can have with people is huge,” Mengel said.