INCLUDES BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO | Discover why the Rossi Vintage Films cameras are again rolling – and learn about their new program entitled, ‘James Prescott and the Battle of Marysville’, now in production …
In front of the “old hotel” on the Rossi Farms “back lot”, some of the cast members of the new Rossi Vintage Films movie, now in production, pose for a photo.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although it’s been twenty years since the last time, filming – actually, video production – has restarted in Parkrose, as Rossi Vintage Films auteur Joe Rossi has again assembled a cast of actors and production crew for the purpose, over the summer.
“Many of our actors in our new film have ‘starred’ in our past productions, and have been in our live-action shows at our ‘Barn Bash’ events over the years,” Rossi said. “And, we’ve enlisted the help of talented young people to form our production crew.”
Joe Rossi directs the “townsfolk”, as they prepare to shoot a scene.
For those who may not be familiar with Rossi Vintage Films, we asked Rossi to take us back to the beginning of his movie-making career.
“It started when I met ‘Turkey Creek Tom’ Mannen; he spoke of a movie set he built and used for creating a small movie project, as a birthday gift for a friend. He later produced live entertainment – the black-powder gunfight stunt shows – for our annual Barn Bash events. That was before helping with my first short-story movie project.” Rossi recalled.
After costuming, ‘Sheriff’ Tom Mannen stands for a photo, flanked by two loyal deputies.
With cast and crew in place, Joe Rossi checks the framing, before rolling the cameras an action segment of the new movie.
Those who were at the 2001 Barn Bash saw the premiere of the first finished “short subject” movie, which was entitled, “The Legend of Parker Rose”.
“The script was a fictious and fun account about the founding of this area that would later be called Parkrose,” reminisced Rossi. “It was the story of a virtuous mild-mannered civil war veteran – Sheriff Parkrose Rose – who clashed with Mayor Jason “Sandy” Sanders, a cunning, corrupt, self-absorbed rival who felt he needed to eliminate his nemesis, Sheriff Rose.
The cast stands by, as the video crew gets in position to shoot another take.
It’s not all work; here, the cast and crew break for lunch.
“It was the premiere that inspired me to produce more in that series of movies,” Rossi remarked. “It was fun, and lots of people said they enjoyed watching the clever entertaining story unfold, and they loved recognizing Parkrose people on screen, and our street names in the script.
But, after several short films, including “James Prescott and the Legend of Parkrose” and “The Tale of Nick Rose”, Rossi and his family got back to farming and maintaining their properties.
Getting ready for the “Town Hall” scenes, actors don true-to-the-period costumes.
Members of the cast stand by to be called “on set”, in the Rossi Barn attic.
Fast-forward two decades
His current production came about, Rossi told East Portland News, because he has had a “story stuck in his mind” for quite a while.
“The title character – James Prescott, is the villain in the movie we’re calling ‘James Prescott and the Battle of Marysville’ – it’s a film project I’ve had in mind all these years,” Rossi revealed.
Taking a moment before shooting begins, Joe Rossi tells the ‘townspeople’ the story that leads up to the action in the scene they’re about to shoot.
The ‘townspeople’ wait for the Town Hall meeting to start.
“I finally decided to poll friends about producing the movie. In a short time, I received so many offers of support, especially from my good friend Craig Flynn, and his Civil War reenactment groups – which led me to writing the script over about three months.
“I’m also working closely with William Warren, whom I met many years ago when he was the Executive Director of the Parkrose Business Association. Warren has helped a great deal with the dialog of the script.”
Ever see a movie being made? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at this production:
The core production crew of Rossi’s new film are Parkrose High School (PHS) students who are taking advanced video production courses. PHS student James Mitseff, Director of Photography, leads a team of four technicians.
The Production Director on the movie is Mt. Hood Community College’s Brian Moua, and he also will be helping out with post-production, joining Editor Jevoy Palmer of Palmer House Productions.
The Production Director consults with Joe Rossi before the cameras roll.
Tensions are running high as this simulated Town Hall meeting begins; and soon, the scene erupts into angry action.
Here’s the story …
In the final days of the Civil War, two lifelong friends and West Point graduates – and now Union Commanders – meet again and clash over the strategic defense of Marysville, Virginia.
One of the commanders sees war as destiny and a source of glory; while the other views it as a duty and a sacrifice.
How far will this conflict go? Who will prevail in the end? No spoilers here! You’ll have to see the movie when it comes out in mid-November! For more information, check production’s Instagram page: CLICK HERE.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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