Local filmmaker shoots in Auburn; film now available on Amazon Prime

While the filming of Auburn resident Tom Maduell's movie "A One-Sided Affair" was two years ago this week, the locally shot film is now available to watch on Amazon Prime. The majority of the film occurred at a historic home on Almond Street in downtown Auburn. "The community's support was amazing," Maduell said. "We had over a hundred volunteers, a wonderful family who donated their house, help from the Placer Film Commission, local hotels, business owners, the neighbors around the shoot. Everybody was positive and supportive. I love living here, the people are great." The film, starring Lorenzo Lamas, Will Durst and Larry "Bubbles" Brown, pokes fun at nearly every aspect of society and answers the question, has America gone from the melting pot to the chamber pot? "My whole idea was to make it a local affair but with a broad sense," Maduell said. "It's about everything that is going on in the entire world, and to shoot that from a singular location in a small town I thought was the way to go." The film also features Auburn actress Donna-Lisa Otto, who starred as the matriarch. "It was so exciting to film in Auburn," Otto said. "It was absolutely amazing." Otto said a lot of regional talent was pulled in to help make the project a reality. The project was filmed on a $50,000 shoestring budget. Otto said the crew utilized nearby businesses for food, including offering sandwiches from The Baker and the Cakemaker. Maduell said the film's success hinged on the talents and name recognition of its stars – Lamas, Durst and Brown. The cast is rounded out by several Sacramento actors and includes Grass Valley's Timothy Hull. "Talented people donated their time and others were hired on for far less than they are worth," he said. "Local people pitched in their time and resources not just willingly but with energetic fervor. It was like the creation of a planet, once it got started, it just kept building off its own gravity." Maduell was thankful to the whole team of 160 people who helped create the movie. Although Maduell has a career as a screenwriter, this is the first film he's written and directed. "If anyone out there, no matter what their age, if you have any inkling to chase your dreams – do it," Maduell said. "This was the most fun I had in my entire life. It was an absolute thrill to do this." Maduell is currently working on his second film, which has a bigger budget of $1.5 million but won't be shooting in Auburn. He hopes to eventually screen "A One-Sided Affair" in town. "Any other success that comes is unimportant," Maduell said. "It was the making of this film that was such a thrill. I did not fully understand what I was undertaking." The movie is available to watch on Amazon Prime's streaming service.