Stoutonia

Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: News

A movie, set in Clear Lake, Wis., appropriately titled "Clear Lake, WI," is set to premiere at the Cinemagic Menomonie Stadium 7 and the Eau Claire Carmike Oakwood mall 12 theatres on Oct. 23 and will play for one week only. The Midwest premier of the movie came on Oct. 9 at the Hudson 12 theatre; it quickly earned the number one spot at the box office.

The movie was directed by Brian Ide and produced by Meriwether Productions. The cast includes well-known actor Michael Madsen who has starred in films such as Resevoir Dogs, the Kill Bill series and Sin City. Alongside Madsen is a 35-year-old, relatively unknown actor who was actually born in Clear Lake, Wis. named Dustin Booth.

One of the names you will see in the credits on www.imdb.com might not be so familiar to those who don't personally know him. He is Chaddix Malchow, a sophomore in the information communication technology program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He also serves as the media supervisor of Stout Media.

Malchow worked as the slate operator. For those who aren't familiar with movie jargon, he's the guy that snaps the marker right before "action" is called. He also worked as a Grip, assembling sets and lighting. The role which he is noted for in the film credits is the boom operator, which is a major responsibility and a huge factor in the audio for the movie.
This is the first major Hollywood feature that Malchow has worked on. The movie was shot mostly in Clear Lake, Wis. and Minneapolis. The St. Croix Hotel and Casino in Turtle Lake, Wis. makes a cameo appearance while the remaining scenes of the film were shot in Los Angeles.

"It was by far one of the most fun things I've ever done," Malchow said. "Those guys from Los Angeles were hilarious."

The weather conditions while shooting the movie were less than optimal for the cast and crew alike. "It was minus 30 degrees and we were working 14 to 16 hour days."

That type of weather can make even the most rugged Midwesterner reach for a scarf and a cup of hot cocoa.
"If the movie does well enough here then it will move on to the Twin Cities," added Malchow.

The goal is for the movie to go national, but it will depend on how audiences receive the film. The director along with the lead actors will be in attendance at this weekend's premiers to sign limited edition DVDs. For more information on the film, visit www.clearlakewimovie.com.

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