LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — While most Hollywood productions have come to a standstill,
non-unionized filmmakers are busy…not only in LA but also in Lynchburg
The horror movie being filmed in and around the Hill City is titled “Lesions.” It follows the life of a young married couple, who move into a new home after the husband is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). While trying to navigate this illness, the couple is also fighting for their lives differently after they become the target of a group of killers.
Writer and director of the film, and Lynchburg native, Codey Wilson, says not only is the film an opportunity for him to bring his ideas to life but also allows him to work with people from all over the country during a time when filmmaking is seeing major changes.
“I had never seen a heavy metal, multiple sclerosis, horror film before, so I thought you know, let’s dive into that. Basically, I took the social unrest that we have in the country maybe over the last few years at its lowest point and I looked at you know something such as the purge and I was like what does it look like when those sort of meet in the middle,” said Wilson.
Wilson shared it was easy to bring the husband’s character to life because Wilson himself was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just two years ago. He says while filming there were good days and bad days battling the disease. But he says he’s excited to open the conversation of MS through the movie.
“You know there’s no cure for it, I am excited to kind of plow into the discussion about it, shed some light on it,” said Wilson.
A large portion of the movie was filmed in a home in Evington. The owner, Rick McMullen says he welcomed this opportunity with open arms and loved every minute of it.
His home is clad with one-of-a-kind items– most of which he brought over from the U.K. when he moved to the United States 20 years ago. McMullen says while it was exciting to see all the behind-the-scenes movie magic, there were moments when he says he saw a little more than expected.
“I opened a box in the mudroom one day and thought what on earth on this, and I’ve got this cardboard box, and there’s a full spine in the box. like covered in faux blood and bits of tissue and I just thought okay we’ll just pop that back and push that to one side,” said McMullen.
Adding that when filming a horror movie, this kind of event was not a one-time thing.
“There’s just this decapitated corpse on the bar and for a moment I had no clue what it was I was just like ah,” said McMullen.
McMullen says at any given time there would be over 35 people in his house, and the cast and crew grew to be like family to him. McMullen says he would spend his days watching the film come together and says he cannot wait to see the project come to fruition.
Wilson says several people in the Lynchburg area embraced the new movie– providing filming space, catering food, and helping out in any way they can. While watching the film, you may recognize some local businesses such as “The Colonial” restaurant and “Carter’s General Store.”
Wilson says they are aiming to air the film spring of 2024.
