North Cape May resident among producers of movie, which is streaming on BET+
OCEAN CITY — A popular Ocean City music shop is featured in a holiday film, which made its debut on Thanksgiving, and influenced development of one of the main characters.
Now streaming on BET+, “So Fly Christmas” was produced by Marc Johnson of North Cape May along with Pierre Romain and Julia Solanger of northern New Jersey.
Set in Atlantic City and Ocean City, the film was shot partially at Grassroots Music Store. Secondary footage was shot in Cape May and Smithville “to take advantage of their Christmas decor,” Johnson said.
Chris Leibrandt, owner of Grassroots, said scenes were shot inside and outside the small music shop.
Leibrandt said the store, which he opened in 1999 at 1045 Asbury Ave., is among the last music shops in southern New Jersey.
He described it as a name brand guitar store featuring hundreds of new and used guitars, ukuleles and other stringed instruments, as well as more than 10,000 vinyl LP records and 45s in stock.
The film, which stars Tichina Arnold and Tami Roman, was directed by Terri J. Vaughn and written by Clarence William IV, follows Wyvetta (Arnold), who loses her love on her favorite holiday when she is stood up at the altar on Christmas Eve.
To show solidarity, Wyvetta’s best friend, Dione (Roman), suggests the two renounce love. Things become complicated when Dione falls for a mild-mannered record store owner and tries to keep it under wraps.
Leibrandt said it was an enjoyable experience during the shoot last spring. He estimated there were more than 50 people inside the store during the shoot.
“There were multiple cameras, lighting, sound; it was like a Hollywood movie set in here,” he said.
Leibrandt said he was happy to do it and was not looking for publicity.
“I did it just for the love of the arts,” he said. “I just did it because it sounded like fun. It was a really neat experience.”
Johnson, 59, who moved to Cape May County just before the COVID-19 pandemic, said the lead male character was supposed to be a computer repair technician who worked at a shop across Asbury Avenue from Grassroots, “but when we saw the record store, we thought working at a record store is a lot sexier than a computer repair shop. Just seeing that changed the nature of the character,” Johnson said.
After growing up in Baltimore, Johnson lived in New York City for 30 years.
He met his wife, Marlisa, a “Jersey girl,” at Cornell University and ended up in the Garden State.
“The area has a lot to offer: great food, lots of entertainment, seaside living, rural environment is 10 minutes away, the neighboring county has Atlantic City. The qualities would be attractive to almost any filmmaker, as well as someone looking to just relax,” Johnson said.
He said while living in New York, he scouted Atlantic City for a different film and “fell in love with Atlantic City.”
He said the Showboat was transitioning from a casino into an arcade and offered him studio space as well as accommodations for cast and crew and encourage him to shoot at the property.
“‘So Fly Christmas’ could not have happened without the Showboat, nor without the cooperation of Atlantic and Cape May counties,” Johnson said. “Everyone was receptive, open to the idea and friendly.”
Johnson said the producers cast locally for extras but all of the main characters were brought in from outside.
He said Sherry McCracken of Ventnor helped with locations and Michael Martin of Wildwood with secondary cinematography.
“I just want to encourage others to shoot in the area. There are so many different looks in this part of the Jersey shore,” Johnson said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
