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Psychological thriller “Are You There” shooting in Tryon

 

TRYON–The GreenLife Inn at the Mimosa is the main set for a movie being filmed this month in Tryon. The movie, titled “Are You There,” is a psychological thriller about a psychology student who lights a summoning candle unleashing a deadly game of 20 questions she must play to survive. 

 

“We loved the historical look and feel,” says producer Koji Sakai about using the inn as the set. “The film’s writers and producers, Brian Tedeschi and Vicki Vass, live in the area and knew right away that it would be the perfect place to film.”

 

“The town of Tryon is super charming,” says Kim Noonan, the film’s director. “I love the Carolinas and the people here.”

 

“Are You There” is being produced by Greenville-area Mountain Laurel Films in partnership with Mike Smith, the creator and star of BET’s “One Shot” series, and the Los Angeles-based Little Nalu Pictures. Miami-based Laura Sollet is playing the lead role with a supporting cast of actors from Greenville, Charlotte, Asheville and Atlanta. Students from Furman University, North Greenville University, Greenville Tech and UNC Charlotte who are interested in film are getting some real-life experience serving as interns. 

 

Kevin Parker, who co-owns the GreenLife Inn with his wife Mary, says the cast and crew total 38 people with some staying at the inn and the rest renting Airbnbs in the area. 

 

“The direct spend by this production in Tryon, Polk County and Upstate SC for lodging, food and employment over their three-week presence is over $40,000,” says Parker.

 

The GreenLife Inn at Mimosa was originally the Mimosa Inn, which was built in 1903. The Parkers purchased it in 2015. While most of “Are You There” will be shot at the inn, some scenes will also be filmed at the Tryon Cemetery.