SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — A Disney pilot project will be rolling cameras by the last week in July across southeastern North Carolina.
According to the Town of Kure Beach, Disney’s “Saltwater” is setting up July 29 through Aug. 6 in the Pleasure Island beach town. Rain dates are scheduled for Aug. 10-14, with the project wrap expected Aug. 11-21. Filming in Kure Beach primarily takes place at the pier, 100 Atlantic Ave., and Seven Seas Inn, 130 Fort Fisher Blvd. N., as well as along the beach strand.
“Saltwater” has been prepping in town now for a few weeks. The Disney pilot is a spinoff of the 2006 film “Aquamarine,” centered on two best friends who discover a mermaid washed ashore during a storm. The mermaid offers to grant them a wish if they help her find true love. The film was based on the 2001 young adult novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman and has become a cult classic in the last two decades.
READ MORE: Disney mermaid pilot to film in greater Wilmington this summer
“Saltwater” is a revival of “Aquamarine,” but instead of a film, Disney is making it as a potential TV series, should the locally shot pilot get picked up. Its premise follows a teenager who returns to a seaside town for the summer.
The logline reads:
“When Coral moves to a dreamy seaside town, she begins unraveling the truth behind her mother’s disappearance — and discovers her mother was a mermaid, awakening magical powers in Coral just as secrets beneath the waves threaten to surface.”
One of the stars of the original movie, Emma Roberts, is returning as an executive producer and will guest star in the pilot reprising her role as Claire Brown, according to Hollywood Reporter. The movie is being directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, who also directed “Aquamarine,” with screenplay from Sarah Watson.
The Kure Beach Town Council unanimously approved “Saltwater” film permits during its Monday night meeting. Multiple closures will be in place due to crews accessing public parking and facilities, roadways, and beach accesses in coming weeks.
For instance, on Monday, Aug. 3, North Atlantic Avenue between K and L avenues will close from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There also will be intermittent traffic controls in place along the beach strand of the pier and inn on Wednesday, July 29, through Thursday, Aug. 6, and at the Atlantic Avenue Boardwalk on Monday, Aug. Traffic control is planned for N. Fort Fisher Boulevard on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The town council requested proper detour signs be installed along N.C. Highway 421 along Fort Fisher Boulevard to help with traffic flow and properly direct the public during filming disruption.
Public parking spaces along Atlantic Avenue, Fort Fisher Boulevard, East L Avenue and near the Kure Beach Community Center will be utilized by film crews during various stages of filming, from July 15 through Aug. 21.
Two public beach accesses will be closed to the public at intervals during filming. Beach Access #99 will go black on Wednesday, July 15, through Friday, Aug. 21, while access #100 will be closed Wednesday, July 29, through Thursday, Aug. 6.
Rental of the town’s community center also is unavailable on Friday, July 31, and Monday, Aug. 3, through Thursday, Aug. 6, due to catering set up for film crews.
Multiple town ordinances are being waived to help facilitate production needs. It includes ordinance 10.06.040, driving on the beach strand, and 13.14.020 P., placement of beach equipment — though the latter will include leaving a pathway open for beach emergency crews as needed.
One scene will include fireworks, according to permits. Production has asked to waive 13.14.020 N. to allow for fire on the beach. The permit cites the need for a gas-powered fire pit, fireworks, and sparklers, with the production’s special effects team coordinating with the Kure Beach Fire Department to procure a pyrotechnics permit.
In addition to permitting being procured in Kure Beach, “Saltwater” is also scheduled to film in Southport, according to casting announcements from TW Cast and Recruit. The group already has posted for stand-ins, photo doubles and roles in recent weeks — including moms in a convertible honking and “Dr. Rambaldi,” a male in his 30s to 50s, both of which are needed in Southport on Aug. 12.
Port City Daily asked the City of Southport for the “Saltwater” film permits information; this will be updated upon response.
TW Cast and Recruit is also looking for extras to help in Kure Beach — including surfers, chicken-fighting teens and punk friends, a weather reporter and more moms in a convertible honking, among others.
“Saltwater” is the third production to film in the greater Wilmington region this year, behind ABC’s “RJ Decker,” also currently in production, and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” film, which wrapped earlier in the summer.
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