‘American Dresser’ is first film shot at new local movie studio
On a warm September night in central New York, motorcycles and pickups line the parking lot of a remote East Syracuse bar. Inside the venue, the tempers of bikers and muscle heads flare, causing a full-fledged bar fight — punches are thrown and a bottle is shattered over someone’s head.
Abruptly, the brawl comes to an end as soon as assistant director Brent Geisler yells “Cut!”
This is a scene in “American Dresser,” a movie coming out in 2016 that is being filmed in the Syracuse area. “American Dresser” is the first of many movies to be filmed at the brand new Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries, said producer Ryan Johnson. The crew will finish filming in this area on Sept. 22.
The film features actors Tom Berenger, Keith David and Andrew Bryniarski, who have acted in films such as “Inception” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
The plot follows the lead character, John (Tom Berenger) on a cross-country motorcycle trip with his best friend Charlie (Keith David). After John’s wife dies, he discovers that he has a son from a relationship 25 years ago, which inspires him to embark on the journey. The name “American Dresser” is a motorcycle designed for touring.
“It’s really sweet at the end of the day, but along the way you get this big, vast, adventure road movie that takes you through all things Americana,” Johnson said.
Johnson serves as the president and CEO of The Film House, a movie production company that recently moved its offices to “the hub,” as many crewmembers refer to the $15 million building. One factor contributing to The Film House’s move to upstate New York is Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tax credits that are offered to the film industry.
The incentive program began in 2015 and started giving tax credits of up to 40 percent on production in certain upstate counties, including Onondaga County. The incentive program provides $420 million per year in benefits and extends through 2019.
The hope is that this credit will give enough incentive to production companies so that a strong film industry will be fostered in upstate New York. Eric Vinal, film commissioner for Onondaga County’s Office of Economic Development, said he thinks once word gets out about all the resources in the area available to filmmakers, it will drive business.
Bryniarski, best known for his role as Leatherface in the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” movies, had never been to central New York before.
“There’s a lot of beautiful scenery in upstate New York in general and in Syracuse,” said Bryniarski, fully dressed for his role as a biker and bully named Earl. “It’s really wonderful, and there’s no need for production to keep running off to Canada to film. It’s my first time working up here, and for a long time, a lot of movies were shooting in Canada, but we’re trying to turn that around.”
In the parking lot of the bar, Bryniarski spoke about his impression of the area over a plate of eggrolls and lo mein. He discussed his time in Syracuse as he guzzled a beer and puffed on a cigarette.
“It’s a win-win for everybody, and haters can hate, but we’re filming up here in New York state,” Bryniarski said.
Vinal added that he believes “American Dresser” and other Film House projects will leave a lasting positive mark on central New York and said opportunities will be created for students and residents alike to jump into the industry.
“That’s the main goal, making people happy and showing them that they can take pride in their area. When they see this on the big screen, they’re going to know the locations and say ‘Oh, we were in that area while it was being filmed,’ or ‘Oh, we always go to that bar,’” Vinal said. “We want people to have a sense of pride when they see this movie and that is what we hope people take from it.”