OKANAGAN – The Okanagan town of Peachland will be streamed on the small screen as the CityTV network broadcasts, Love, Bubbles & Crystal Cove, Friday at 8 pm PST. The romance movie of the week stars local actor Matt Brown and the debut of nine-year-old Haven Gin of Penticton.
Featuring beachfront shops, waterfront and the new pier at Peachland, BC, the producers from Champlain Media created Crystal Cove, a fictitious small American coastal town. Flying the American flag did not go unnoticed by the locals when filming happened last September.
“My appreciation for the Okanagan has been reciprocated by the communities there, which is what makes the relationship a success,” says Gilles Laplante, senior vice-president of production for Champlain Media. “I hope to make more movies in Kelowna and area.”
The romance movie follows the love-struck couple hiking Okanagan mountains, walking through vineyards, and sipping wine on the deck of the Bistro at Fitzpatrick Vineyards.
The bubbles in the show’s titles stem from the storyline where Sky Parker (Stephanie Bennett), owner of Lather & Luxury, is at risk of losing her beloved business. Things get heated up when the returning hero, Gavin (Jesse Hutch), the son of a Manhattan real estate mogul, sweeps in to save the failing company, without realizing the owner he’s partnering with is his childhood sweetheart.
Along to help the couple along is Matt Brown (Tucker Johnston), who celebrates his first principal role since signing with the Kelowna-based agency, Book It Talent Agency. Born in Mission, Brown was first on stage at the age of five. He attended Theatre West Van and Douglas College Acting and since continued working in live theatre, film and television both as a director and actor. He now resides in the Okanagan.
Scouting talent of all ages, talent manager and agent Brenda Connell of Book It Talent saw great potential in young Haven Gin, who at the time was eight.
“This was her first audition and she booked it!” says proud mom Rebekah. “We read the role and it fit Haven to a tee. They were looking for a ‘spunky, artsy little girl.’
“Haven always loved to perform and at two and a half started dancing at the Okanagan Dance Studios and is now also doing musical theatre and voice with Soundstage Juniors.”
Spending three days on set, Haven played a little girl who loves her aunty and loves art. She can be seen in the party scene and at the shop making bath bombs with her hands all stained purple.
Locally, CityTV broadcasts on channel 106 on Telus and 103 on Shaw, or catch the livestream from its app. The trailer can be viewed at imdb.com.