Park City & Deer Valley

"Stetson" features Notable Parkite Cameos

While the 2011 Sundance Film Festival has taken Park City by storm, behind the scenes local crews have been filming a live-action adaptation of the local children's book "Stetson: Street Dog of Park City."

The book, which was published by Le Petit Chien Publishing in 2002 by local author Jeanine Heil, caught they eye of Nancy Ogden, founder of video production company Campbell & Co. who thought it would be a great story to bring to life, said producer Patrick Lovell.

"The book is about Stetson, a dog that has been abandoned in Park City," Lovell said. "Jeanine, who moved here from Toronto in 2000, had always told stories about dogs to her children. One day, she developed the story of Stetson and thought it reflected her life, as far as she was always in pursuit of trying to find a stable home. She also thought about how important a home is for families and children."

The book ended up selling about 5,500 copies and is now on its second edition, said Lovell, who cut his teeth as a producer for Park City TV.

"Jeanine and Nancy shared the same vision and filmed a first-run last year," he said. "But they felt it could be better."

A mutual friend recommended Lovell who came on board as a consultant/producer.

"I put together a team that could deliver the quality they wanted and we started shooting two weeks ago," he said. "And it has been an amazing experience."

While filming throughout Park City, crews have captured some high-profile Parkite cameos within the frames, Lovell said.

They include Randy Barton of the Egyptian Theatre Company and KPCW radio; Amy Williams of PCTV, entrepreneur Beth Moon and local legend George the Hack.

"We also filmed Mayor Dana Williams, who was just terrific to work with," Lovell said. "He played the guitar for us in the scene he was in."

The hero of the story, other than Stetson the dog, is Dr. John Artz from the Silver Creek Animal clinic. "We cast Dr. John because he happens to be a veterinarian and also works on the ski patrol at Park City Mountain Resort, which are the two occupations of the man in the book," Lovell said. "John's the real deal.

"He worked well for the character because children respond to him as a vet," Lovell said. "People in Park City love their animals and when they find Dr. John, they love his bedside manner with dogs that are either sick or need assistance in some way or another.

"We also envisioned Stetson going on a multitude of adventures and journeys with him to help those animals and people who are in need of help in one way or another."

The film will continue to shoot throughout the next few weeks, Lovell said.

"We're hoping to get it into some film festivals down the line," he said. "We've also talked with the CEO of the Hallmark Chanel who showed great interest because they are launching a national campaign that ties into the concept of Stetson's mission awareness of homeless animals. So we'll see what happens with that.

"The endgame is to hopefully have a feature film and a TV series that is set here in Park City."

Lovell said he has become personally attached to the project because of his love for Park City.

"I know this place intimately and I think it's a tremendous backdrop," he said. "More importantly, we tend to love dogs in this town, and if you're going to be a stray dog or a stray person who happens to love mountain culture and you wander into this city, you will find a home because there is a culture of people here who are open, kind and sincere."

Lovell said the message of "Stetson: Street Dog of Park City" and bringing the story to the screen is important this year, especially since many families are dealing with the economy.

"If you keep your heart open and you keep moving forward, you will find a stable home."

by Scott Iwasaki OF THE RECORD STAFF : The Park Record

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