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Matt Haley's SoDel Film Company wraps short movie

March 1, 2013

SoDel Film Co., a production company launched by restaurant owner Matt Haley, has wrapped another short film, due to be released this fall. The film, tentatively titled “Skittles” and shot entirely at southern Delaware locations, tells the fictional story of a man who has been jailed for killing a child while texting and driving.

“This theme is something that’s hitting home every day, everywhere,” said Executive Producer Matt Haley. “ It is a community-minded issue that we hope will raise awareness. We want to make films that are based in reality and bring about bigger issues - locally and globally.”

Other films produced by Haley and SoDel Film Co. include “Hands of Harvest,” a chronicle of the struggles and fortitude of the migrant Mexican women who fuel the crabbing industry on the Eastern Shore, and soon-to-be-released “Motorcycle Chang pa,” which explores the travels and survival of the nomadic Chang pa tribe through the high-altitude deserts of the Himalayas.

“Skittles” was shot over the course of six days at local locations and landmarks such as the Lewes Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company, the Sea Air Village mobile home park, the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, and the jail at the Ocean City Police Department.

Haley said he feels happy and privileged to make a film in Delaware. “We are proud to be part of the southern Delaware community and the state of Delaware,” he said. “We’d like to bring about more of an interest in film - there are other filmmakers that we look up to in the state that are doing great work. We hope to expand the creative scene or platform of expression throughout the state.”

With small acting roles on hit shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Scrubs,” “NCIS” and “24,” lead actor Paul Webster, a three-year resident of Rehoboth Beach, wrote the script of the short film. He describes the location as a beautiful area. “There’s such a great mix of farmland and a full spectrum of income and houses,” he said. “I just couldn’t believe more things weren’t shot here. It’s a beautiful place to shoot, and you have the seasons as well.”

According to Haley, the film will be completed over the summer with plans for a fall premiere and submission to the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, among others. SoDel Film Co. aims to produce one to two films a year, Haley says, with plans to establish a film festival of its own that would include a scholarship program for local aspiring filmmakers 18 and under.

For further information, go to www.matthaleycompanies.com.

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