THE PROMISE was actually first filmed in Clinton, Indiana between March and September of 2012 under the title of "This Promise I Made"
However, the first director and DP (one and the same), along with an additional camera man wanted to add in a nude shower scene for the 23 year old leading lady.
When Executive Producer (and Screenwriter) Candy J. Beard quickly refused the request, He told her that without a nude shower scene, the movie would never see the light of day. She dismissed his words and they continued filming. But little did she know that the director was secretly sabotaging the film, both visually and the audio. He kept the video files from Candy until filming was over.
Once Candy became aware of the sabotaged project, she filed a lawsuit to hold him responsible and tried to get her lost $20K film budget back. Sadly, however, three years later, after still never getting her day in court, Candy decided to drop the lawsuit and simply move on, for her own peace of mind.
She then changed the title of the film, did a re-cast of almost all of the actors and reached out to her friend, Ken Kercheval (formally of DALLAS) to ask him if he would return and re-shoot his scenes. Of course he said yes. The film, with its new title, new cast, an incredible new (and trustworthy Director, DP and Editor all in one) and a new film location (Terre Haute, IN) began production for the second time in June 2016 and wrapped up exactly one year later.
When Executive Producer (and Screenwriter) Candy J. Beard quickly refused the request, He told her that without a nude shower scene, the movie would never see the light of day. She dismissed his words and they continued filming. But little did she know that the director was secretly sabotaging the film, both visually and the audio. He kept the video files from Candy until filming was over.
Once Candy became aware of the sabotaged project, she filed a lawsuit to hold him responsible and tried to get her lost $20K film budget back. Sadly, however, three years later, after still never getting her day in court, Candy decided to drop the lawsuit and simply move on, for her own peace of mind.
She then changed the title of the film, did a re-cast of almost all of the actors and reached out to her friend, Ken Kercheval (formally of DALLAS) to ask him if he would return and re-shoot his scenes. Of course he said yes. The film, with its new title, new cast, an incredible new (and trustworthy Director, DP and Editor all in one) and a new film location (Terre Haute, IN) began production for the second time in June 2016 and wrapped up exactly one year later.
The teenage trouble making neighbor to the Miller family who came to try and sell raffle tickets to Mackenzie is the real life granddaughter to lead actor, Bruce H. Royer. The fun scene they got to share together was priceless for the two of them.
Katie Peterson won a best lead actress award for her portrayal of Mackenzie Miller. THE PROMISE was her very first film job, but she had been doing stage theatre for years.
The Promise won best comedy in two different film festivals.
In June 2016, actress Ann Ayres flew from The Sunshine State to portray Sophia but she had also already been cast in the next film by DREAMS COME TRUE FILMS (A Second Chance) as Ms. Paxton. So she filmed two days for Sophia and then The Promise wrapped production. A Second Chance went into production the very next day and Ms. Paxton's scenes were the first ones filmed before Ann returned home to Florida.