Archer Avenue ghost story inspires Michael Lansu’s second feature “Resurrection Mary”

Carpentersville filmmaker Michael Lansu is taking a more personal approach to “Resurrection Mary,” the followup to his 2002 debut feature “Boo! The Movie.”

Lansu loosely based his script on the legend of Resurrection Mary, a ghost said to haunt Archer Avenue in the West Suburbs.

Jason Ryan Lovett, who also acted in “Boo!” stars as a man who is about to marry the love of his life (Rebecca Shea), but who is tempted toward infidelity by the apparition of Mary (Eva Bloomfield), leading to disastrous consequences.

Lansu himself just got married. “I was married once before,” Lansu said. “As I stepped forward to do it again, these things prayed on my mind, and I couldn’t help but weave them into the story. I could do something typical or do something completely different and make it a little more about loss, a little more about relationships.”

“Mary” lenses for 14 days through Oct. 25 in Lake Villa, Aurora, Des Plaines and Willowbrook, among other suburbs. “We’ll be shooting at the Willowbrook Ballroom, where they leave a drink at the end of the bar for Mary,” Lansu said.

Lansu is producing with his Cooked Goose Productions partners, actor Michael Wollner, art director/title designer James Tampa, and Btv Productions owner Bob Blom. DP Joe Farris is providing the HD camera package and grip/electric gear in-kind through his Visions of Light.

A single investor, Dr. George Piccolo of Aurora, is supplying the remainder of the $100,000 budget.

“He saw something in our first movie,” Lansu recalled, “and said ?let’s do another one, just get my money back and if I make a profit I’m going to make another movie with you ? I realize you’re at the start of the process, not the end.'”

Since 1999, Lansu has been creative director at retail marketing agency MAN Marketing of Carol Stream, where he is responsible for all TV and radio spots. NuTech Digital released “Boo!” last fall on video.

“Resurrection Mary” also features Joe Estevez and Leanna Quigley. Makeup/effects by Brian Freiburger. Music by local bands 40 Short, Leaving Madison, and Escape from Earth.

Reach Lansu at 630.251.0580.

– by Ed M. Koziarski, edk@homesickblues.com