Films in Pamlico County

Summertime's Calling Me
a girl's coming of age film

Camp Seafarer located here in Pamlico County has been providing outstanding land and sea programs for over 50 years. This caring and positive environment enables campers to learn the importance of good sportsmanship, self-confidence and respect for others. Camp Seafarer for girls shares 350 acres with Camp Seagull for boys. Both of these YMCA resident camps have a nationally recognized seamanship program and numerous camping activities.

This year, Summertime's Calling Me a 25 minute film, was shot entirely on location at Camp Seafarer in Arapahoe, North Carolina. The story revolves around 17 year old Tami and 11 year old Amanda. Tami's vision of her summer job as camp counselor included adventure, college boys and getting a great tan. She forgot about the kids. Amanda is training to become a world class hypochondriac and would like to be anywhere but at camp. By the end of the film Tami has guided Amanda through an extraordinary situation and learns what every camp counselor knows: they are there for the kids. A tan is just a perk of the job.

Frances Yount is the director of Summertime's Calling Me. This is her New York University Graduate Thesis project and the culmination of the Masters of Fine Arts Degree. Born and raised in California, Frances earned her B.A. in Film Studies from U.C. Santa Barbara. Her parents are both native North Carolinians, and Frances spent 12 summers at Camp Seafarer as a camper and counselor. An Unrequited Love Story, her third film, received a Craft Award in Editing from the NYU Film Festival and the Napa Valley Commission on the Status of Women Festival. Frances is currently editing Summertime's Calling Me, which will premiere at the NYU Film Festival in March 1998.

Pictured above with the director (middle) are Blair Brinson as Amanda (left) and Lauren Ambrose as Tami. Ms. Ambrose is currently in the Paramount Pictures release of In & Out, starring Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck. Blair Brinson was the only non-professional actor, winning the part from a field of 37 little girls ranging in age from 9 to 13.

The cast and crew were an amalgamation of students and professionals from New York and North Carolina. The producer, Sheila Saints, is a producer for NBC Nightside, the national overnight news based in Charlotte, NC at the NBC News Channel. Tim Lindsay is a professional cameraman from Chapel Hill, NC. Henry DeHart works at a graphic design firm in Greenville, NC and is a former director of Camp Sea Gull. Keir Pearson is a professional editor and recent graduate of NYU graduate film. The rest of the crew are graduate film students at NYU or film production students at Piedmont Community College in Yanceyville, NC.

January Film Update:

Summertime's Calling Me has already been awarded a Warner Bros. Production Fund Award!!! Frances was also nominated for a second post production award.

Part of the 'drama ' of the post-production period has been the disappearance and recovery of the sound. The game of hide and seek is over and the sound production is just about complete. Frances has done the sound design, inserting the sounds of camp and really bringing the whole thing to life.

The film will be completely done by the beginning of February. Get those gladrags ready for screenings in Charlotte, New Bern and Raleigh as well as the NYU First Run Film Festival, March 30-April 4.

October Film Update:

Frances spent the month of September editing Summertime's Calling Me. Sound editing will occupy her during November. The film's first screening, for faculty and fellow student filmakers (a tough crowd), was well received.

The dust has not hit Lauren Ambrose's shoes. After In and Out was released in the theaters, Lauren was swamped with calls about auditions for major motion pictures and even stage plays. She is currently working on a Columbia Pictures film in Los Angeles called The Party.

Jamie McCoy, who plays a counselor, is currently filming a feature film here in North Carolina.

Keith Buckley, of Pamlico County, is working with Frances to score the film.

If you were at Camp Seafarer this summer you may be in the film. Keep your eyes open!

To contact the director:Check this site for release date of the film.

This is not the first film shot in Pamlico County. In fact , a crew working on a feature film were here in July '97 as well. Beautiful land and waterscapes, reasonable prices and and friendly people make this an ideal location as a small town or outdoor adventure backdrop.

When the film can't come to Pamlico County, Pamlico County goes to the film. Local sailor, Bill Croughwell, just returned from filming sailing scenes with Robin Williams and Max Von Sydow on a circa 1900 wooden boat . More details on Bill's adventures to follow.

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