Cascade to be on the big screen -- again

John Russell Cring gives directions to extras at Cascade High School for his rock musical 'Four on the Floor.' (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cring and his Extra/Ordinary production crew were at Cascade High School Saturday night to film scenes for his latest indie venture, "Four on the Floor." He has used Bell Buckle and Cascade before, for his political thriller "The Drive." This time, however, he hit a snag early.

The scene calls for a football game to take place.

"The first time they wanted to come, it was during the 'dead period'," said Cascade Principal Sharon Edwards, referring to that time of year when football players and their coaches are not to have any contact concerning the game.

"They've been very accommodating," she added. "They just shot out of sequence."

The 'dead period' is over, but the players are still forbidden by TSSAA rules to put on pads.

"We had to get TSSAA permission to have the pads on," said Edwards. "If you put the pads on too soon, you get fined. Coach (Kenny) Parker took care of all that."

Getting fined is not something the state champs want, but then again, neither is losing to Community High School. Whether they do or not ... you'll have to see the movie to find out.

Cring, one eye on the advancing storm, coached the 150-plus extras who showed up for the shoot on how to react to that fumble. Their first reaction -- probably more suited to a head-on collision than a fumbled football -- drew a long sigh and a grin from the director.

"Maybe we need some acting classes," he joked.

The next take was better, with many of the local residents really getting into the spirit, jumping up and shouting when the direction called for it, or wincing as they imagined their quarterback getting sacked.

Football players and cheerleaders from both Cascade and Community also got into the spirit of the shoot.

"It's fun," said Cascade cheerleader Aimee Simms. "We've done a movie for him before. It's kind of cool to get to see him again. We're excited."

The movie is truly a family production. Jon Russell Cring directs, his father, Jonathan Richard Cring, wrote the script, his brother, Jasson, stars, and Mom, Dolly Cring, helps out by getting the extras to register and sign release forms.

"We all work together," she said. "When they started (Extra/Ordinary), I thought it was a great idea."

So did Bedford County School board member Dixie Parker, who came ready to cheer on the home team -- on cue.

"Why not?" she asked, laughing. "This is maybe a once in a lifetime thing. Who would have thought in 1972, when the school was built, that something like this would happen -- twice. We're thrilled to be a part of it."

Alex Dycus, left, and Jasson Cring take a break between scenes on the set of 'Four on the Floor.' (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Four on the Floor" is about four high school graduates who operate -- and live in -- a garage while practicing their music. Cring said he expects the movie to be ready in September and promised the crowd a Bedford County premiere.

The weather was threatening, he said later. "But we were able to finish up the scene and it looks good."

One of the stars, Bedford County's own Alex Dycus, was there, having just turned down a modeling opportunity in the Philippines for Fashion TV in Asia. She plays, naturally enough, a model.

"I was about to board the plane and changed my mind," she said of the overseas job. "I'm just really not old enough to be on my own, so far away from home."

She said she's enjoyed doing the movie with the Crings, and it has been fun showing them her home town.