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10.26.2013 - UP &
COMING: BRAD LEO
LYON - Brandon Sites
Critic - CLICK HERE
6.16.2013 - MOVIE
FILMING WRAPS UP
THIS WEEK IN
COLUMBIAVILLE -
Lapeer Area View -
CLICK HERE
2.10.2013 - MID
MICHIGAN DIRECTOR
HOLDS CASTING CALL -
ABC 12 -
CLICK HERE
2.10.2013 - CASTING
CALL FOR "DON'T WAIT
TIL DAWN" - ABC 12 -
CLICK HERE
10.16.2012- BRAD LEO
LYON JOINS ABC 12 TO
TALK ABOUT THE
MONSTERS ON MAIN
STREET CASTING CALL-
ABC 12 - CLICK HERE
COMING: BRAD LEO
LYON - Brandon Sites
Critic - CLICK HERE
6.16.2013 - MOVIE
FILMING WRAPS UP
THIS WEEK IN
COLUMBIAVILLE -
Lapeer Area View -
CLICK HERE
2.10.2013 - MID
MICHIGAN DIRECTOR
HOLDS CASTING CALL -
ABC 12 -
CLICK HERE
2.10.2013 - CASTING
CALL FOR "DON'T WAIT
TIL DAWN" - ABC 12 -
CLICK HERE
10.16.2012- BRAD LEO
LYON JOINS ABC 12 TO
TALK ABOUT THE
MONSTERS ON MAIN
STREET CASTING CALL-
ABC 12 - CLICK HERE
| LYON PRODUCTIONS IN THE MEDIA |
| JOIN US ON |
10.12.2014
"New Sitcom Filming In Woodard Station"
by Sally York, Argus Press
"New Sitcom Filming In Woodard Station"
by Sally York, Argus Press
OWOSSO — The city’s best-kept secret
can now be revealed: For the past two
weeks, a production company has been
filming a sitcom in Woodard Station that
co-stars an actor who’s been a household
name for decades.
“What’chu you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?”
That's right, Todd Bridges, who played
Willis on the TV Classic "Diff'rent Strokes"
can now be revealed: For the past two
weeks, a production company has been
filming a sitcom in Woodard Station that
co-stars an actor who’s been a household
name for decades.
“What’chu you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?”
That's right, Todd Bridges, who played
Willis on the TV Classic "Diff'rent Strokes"
has a major role as the landlord in the comedy “Roommates,” set primarily in an
apartment in Woodard Station Lofts.
“That building is amazing. It’s just gorgeous,” Bridges said during a telephone
interview Thursday. “And the series is real special.”
“Roommates,” created, written, directed and produced by Brad Leo Lyon of Lyon
Productions in Flint Township, also stars Rachel Alig, star of the film “Bikini Spring
Break,” and newcomer Mackenzie Trevor.
Cameras started rolling Sept. 27 and production is expected to continue for the next
two or three months, Lyon said.
“Woodard Station is the 41st building we looked at,” Lyon said. “I knew right off the
bat they had what I was looking for. I wound up finding a gem in Owosso, which has
just kind of won me over. The people are outstanding and friendly.”
Lyon, along with his cast and crew, are also winning over Owosso residents, not to
mention generating a lot of excitement.
“Woodard Station Lofts is thrilled to be a part of the ‘Roommates’ series,” said
manager Amanda Rangel. “This is very exciting for us as well as the city of Owosso.
Brad Lyon has been a pleasure to work with … and we absolutely cannot wait to see
the finished product.”
“There’s a reason they chose our area: They’re realizing what a great place Owosso
is becoming, and they want to be a part of it,” said Shiawassee Regional Chamber of
Commerce President/CEO Jeff Deason. “We’re thankful to have them in our town.”
“Roommates” is about two guys — Kyle, who has a monster phobia, and Victor, a well-
meaning scam artist — who are paying the rent by recruiting other roommates under
the false pretense that they are joining a reality series. On occasion, Kyle’s fear of
monsters seems to be confirmed by suggestions that otherworldly creatures are
actually afoot.
Despite its horror elements, “Roommates” “is a typical fun-loving ensemble sitcom
like ‘Friends’ or ‘Big Bang Theory,’ where you get to know the characters and you can
relate to them,” Lyon said.
He said five television networks have expressed interest in the independent
production, but cautioned it could take a year or two for the series to show up on TV.
A few “Roommates” scenes take place in Guido’s Coffee Shop, located on the first
floor of Woodard Station.
“We’re real excited they picked our coffee shop to film in,” said Guido’s owner Jerry
Bucsi. “I came in last Monday and there were all these lights and cameras. I thought,
‘Holy smokes, this is a real movie scene,’ with a director saying ‘take two’ and all of
that.”
Two local residents are helping out as volunteers. Makeup artist Kathryn Barrel has
arranged for late-night meals for the cast and crew. Kendra Nichols, the reigning
Mrs. Michigan Galaxy, holds the position of “extras wrangler.”
Nichols also volunteered when, due to a rescheduled flight, Bridges needed a ride to
Owosso from the Detroit Metro Airport. “I told him straight off, ‘I’m a huge fan,’”
Nichols said. “I grew up watching him on TV, so I felt like I knew him already. He’s
very down to earth, and now I feel I have a lifelong friend. “We’re so fortunate to
have a star like that working in Owosso.”
Bridges returned the compliment, calling Nichols “the best part of the whole trip. She
was fun to hang out with.”
Not that the cast and crew have had much free time. Lyon said he’s filming a season’s
worth of episodes as quickly as possible, with sessions often going late into the
night.
Bridges said that’s part of the appeal.
“All night long, I like that kind of kind of work,” he said. “I’m used to it. And I like that
Brad gives me room to work with the script, so I can make the dialogue my own. The
guy knows what he’s doing. He’s a very talented director.”
Lyon, whose best-known works include the feature films “Minor League: A Football
Story” and “Monsters on Main Street” (also co-starring Bridges), said he’s committed
to making motion pictures — movies, TV shows, music videos and ads — in his home
state of Michigan. “I love where I’m from,” he said. “People always say I should bail
and go find greener pastures, but if there’s a problem with employment here, why not
be part of the solution by hiring people? I want to do my part in Michigan.”
For those interested in participating in “Roommates,” extras of “all types” are
sought, Lyon said. Inquire on the Lyon Productions Group For Extras or Kendra
Nichols Facebook pages.
apartment in Woodard Station Lofts.
“That building is amazing. It’s just gorgeous,” Bridges said during a telephone
interview Thursday. “And the series is real special.”
“Roommates,” created, written, directed and produced by Brad Leo Lyon of Lyon
Productions in Flint Township, also stars Rachel Alig, star of the film “Bikini Spring
Break,” and newcomer Mackenzie Trevor.
Cameras started rolling Sept. 27 and production is expected to continue for the next
two or three months, Lyon said.
“Woodard Station is the 41st building we looked at,” Lyon said. “I knew right off the
bat they had what I was looking for. I wound up finding a gem in Owosso, which has
just kind of won me over. The people are outstanding and friendly.”
Lyon, along with his cast and crew, are also winning over Owosso residents, not to
mention generating a lot of excitement.
“Woodard Station Lofts is thrilled to be a part of the ‘Roommates’ series,” said
manager Amanda Rangel. “This is very exciting for us as well as the city of Owosso.
Brad Lyon has been a pleasure to work with … and we absolutely cannot wait to see
the finished product.”
“There’s a reason they chose our area: They’re realizing what a great place Owosso
is becoming, and they want to be a part of it,” said Shiawassee Regional Chamber of
Commerce President/CEO Jeff Deason. “We’re thankful to have them in our town.”
“Roommates” is about two guys — Kyle, who has a monster phobia, and Victor, a well-
meaning scam artist — who are paying the rent by recruiting other roommates under
the false pretense that they are joining a reality series. On occasion, Kyle’s fear of
monsters seems to be confirmed by suggestions that otherworldly creatures are
actually afoot.
Despite its horror elements, “Roommates” “is a typical fun-loving ensemble sitcom
like ‘Friends’ or ‘Big Bang Theory,’ where you get to know the characters and you can
relate to them,” Lyon said.
He said five television networks have expressed interest in the independent
production, but cautioned it could take a year or two for the series to show up on TV.
A few “Roommates” scenes take place in Guido’s Coffee Shop, located on the first
floor of Woodard Station.
“We’re real excited they picked our coffee shop to film in,” said Guido’s owner Jerry
Bucsi. “I came in last Monday and there were all these lights and cameras. I thought,
‘Holy smokes, this is a real movie scene,’ with a director saying ‘take two’ and all of
that.”
Two local residents are helping out as volunteers. Makeup artist Kathryn Barrel has
arranged for late-night meals for the cast and crew. Kendra Nichols, the reigning
Mrs. Michigan Galaxy, holds the position of “extras wrangler.”
Nichols also volunteered when, due to a rescheduled flight, Bridges needed a ride to
Owosso from the Detroit Metro Airport. “I told him straight off, ‘I’m a huge fan,’”
Nichols said. “I grew up watching him on TV, so I felt like I knew him already. He’s
very down to earth, and now I feel I have a lifelong friend. “We’re so fortunate to
have a star like that working in Owosso.”
Bridges returned the compliment, calling Nichols “the best part of the whole trip. She
was fun to hang out with.”
Not that the cast and crew have had much free time. Lyon said he’s filming a season’s
worth of episodes as quickly as possible, with sessions often going late into the
night.
Bridges said that’s part of the appeal.
“All night long, I like that kind of kind of work,” he said. “I’m used to it. And I like that
Brad gives me room to work with the script, so I can make the dialogue my own. The
guy knows what he’s doing. He’s a very talented director.”
Lyon, whose best-known works include the feature films “Minor League: A Football
Story” and “Monsters on Main Street” (also co-starring Bridges), said he’s committed
to making motion pictures — movies, TV shows, music videos and ads — in his home
state of Michigan. “I love where I’m from,” he said. “People always say I should bail
and go find greener pastures, but if there’s a problem with employment here, why not
be part of the solution by hiring people? I want to do my part in Michigan.”
For those interested in participating in “Roommates,” extras of “all types” are
sought, Lyon said. Inquire on the Lyon Productions Group For Extras or Kendra
Nichols Facebook pages.