Crowds sneak peek at movie

TOP: Gulf Breeze teens in the movie 'Chatterbox' include, from left: Jordan Taylor, Kelsea Naggatz, Megan Coley, Taylor Johnson, Miranda Coley, Sarah Cook, Josh Lawson and Maddie Bookout. Not pictured: Tara Swann and Macy deMahy.

Gulf Breeze Cinema 8 was the setting for a Hollywood-style movie premiere when cast and crew and their families got their first glimpse at "Chatterbox," the movie filmed almost entirely at Gulf Breeze Middle School last year.

The premiere had all the trappings of a Hollywood event, complete with a stretch limo carrying the cast, a red carpet and paparazzi, except that it occurred at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning to avoid conflicting with the theatre's schedule.

The movie is produced by Fort Walton Beach-based Chomer family films, directed by Jane Lawalata and cast by Rebecca Taylor of IZON modeling and talent agency.

Stars include Brianna Chomer, 14 a freshman at Fort Walton Beach High School, and Allison Bailey, 17, a junior at Tate High School. Kelsea Naggatz, 17, a senior at Gulf Breeze High School, plays a teacher in the film, coincidentally named Miss Naggatz.

Photos by Joe Culpepper/Gulf Breeze News ABOVE: Brianna Chomer walks down the red carpet as the papparazi documents her entrance. RIGHT: Kelsea Naggatz and Taylor Johnson face the media.

"They thought my name was so funny that they used it," Naggatz said.

Also featured prominently was Macy deMahy, another senior at Gulf Breeze High.

Maddie Bookout, 10, had one spoken line in the movie, "I like your shoes," spoken to the main character.

"It was exciting to see how the process goes and everything," Bookout said.

Co-producer Lisa Chomer was instrumental in bringing the production to Northwest Florida. Her daughter, Brianna, has been acting since she was 7 years old, and was in Los Angeles auditioning when she landed the lead in a thesis production by then-student Jane Lawalata. Her son Caleb stars as Alex, the main character's love interest.

Many production companies, including Disney, expressed interest in optioning Lawalata's "Chatterbox," a movie about middle school competitiveness, isolation, self doubt and losing oneself to get ahead.

Lawalata

I nstead, the Chomers formed a production company, hired the casting agency and selected Gulf Breeze as the setting for the movie, which was filmed in 15 days, usually between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. and on weekends to avoid conflicts with school.

By using all Florida residents for cast and crew, the production got a 15% rebate from the Florida Film Commission.

Lawalata was sold on producing the film in Gulf Breeze.

"I knew it had to be a small town, not L.A. When I came for the first two weeks, I saw the beach, the houses, and I make decisions very, very fast. I said 'Oh, OK, it's cool, it fits perfect with Chatterbox.'"

Lawalata has worked on other productions including "Through the Glass" which was screened in Los Angeles on Oct. 18. She is also working with AFI on a project with Sarah Silverman. This is her first feature film.

The screening of Chatterbox was an invitation-only event because tickets cannot be sold or it will become ineligible for film festivals, where a distributor may pick it up. Once that happens, Gulf Breeze may get the opportunity to host an actual Hollywood style premiere, the kind that occurs after dark.

Joe Culpepper/Gulf Breeze News Leading male actor Caleb Chomer (left) of Fort Walton Beach looks on as co-cast member Jerod Perez of Pensacola East Hill Christian exits the luxury limousine.

For now, the closest thing to seeing the actual movie is going online to view the trailer at www.chatterbox- themovie.com/trailer.php.