''Magic Rock'' is a 2001

comedy-drama film Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc. ...

written by Bradley Gallo and directed by Bradley Gallo and Aditya Chandora.

Background

Gallo wrote the film's screenplay while a psychology student at

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

. Gallo based parts of the ''Magic Rock'' on his own 15 Summers spent at Camp Cody For Boys in

Freedom, New Hampshire Freedom is a town located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,689 at the 2020 census, up from 1,489 at the 2010 census. The town's eastern boundary runs along the Maine state border. Ossipee Lake, with a resort ...

when a boy, and filmed the project on locations in Lake Ossipee, New Hampshire. Prior to its screening at the

Stony Brook Film Festival The Stony Brook Film Festival, presented by Island Federal Credit Union and produced by Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, presents a program of new, independent films every summer since 1995. Features and short films from the ...

on July 18, 2001, ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' wrote that "The idea for ''Magic Rock'' was inspired by Mr. Gallo's own experiences at sleep-away camp. The fictitious Camp Kobie was based on Camp Cody, on the shores of Ossipee Lake in New Hampshire, where Mr. Gallo spent 12 summers." The film won the 'Best Cinematography Award' at the 2001 Angel Citi Film Festival in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

Plot

When a beloved Summer Camp director dies, the popular boys' haven will be closed by the heartless attorney who inherits it unless a dedicated young camp counselor can change his mind over one last summer, with the comic help of his oddball campers.

Partial cast

* Bradley Gallo as T.J. *

Adam Busch Adam Busch is an American actor best known for starring as Warren Mears on the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. Career Busch was born in East Meadow, New York. He had his first film role in the movie ''Léon: The Professional'' ...

as Kyle *

Miko Hughes Miko John Hughes (born February 22, 1986) is an American actor known for his film roles as a child, such as Gage Creed in ''Pet Sematary'' (1989), '' Kindergarten Cop'' (1990), ''Apollo 13'' (1995), '' Spawn'' (1997), '' Mercury Rising'' (1998) ...

as Jesse * Joanna Wasick as Liberty * Tom Delaney as Bud * Erik Parillo as Richard * Kimberly Jay Thomas as Eve * Edward Winrow as Bob Rosenberg * Eli Gelb as Mookie * Jimmy McQuaid as Cody * Ross Gallo as Blake * Daryl Wein as Tanner * Thomas Magnani as Zach

Recognition

Awards & nomination

* 'Best Cinematography' - 2001 Angel Citi Film Festival

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0251193, Magic Rock 2001 films 2001 comedy-drama films American comedy-drama films American independent films 2001 independent films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language comedy-drama films English-language independent films