Two days after our 2003-Vision Film Festival, my partner, Bootie Bell Chewning received a distant phone call from Seoul, Korea. At first she thought someone was playing a joke on her as she tried to hold onto her portable phone so she could hear the caller as she fought and tugged at her little dog Sassy’s leash. The wind whipped around her, Sassy’s constant yelping as she tried to carry on at least some kind of conversation and not sound frazzled. Bootie soon realized that this gentleman was really calling from Korea. Mr. Hong il Cha, Producer at SBS-TV was on the line.

Mr. Cha had visited our film office’s web site and had noticed that someone had won Best Director in our Documentary film competition. You see, his company was doing research on the Bedford tale of the Beale Treasure. He wanted to be able to contact Morgan Faust, of Faust Films because her documentary concerned the treasure of Thomas Beale. Bootie quickly left her barking dog outside and went into her den to take down Mr. Cha's contact information. Then, I sent off an email concerning our film office and offered our services. That was on Monday evening, and by Wednesday of that week, Bootie and I were hosting three people from Seoul, Korea!

We were delighted to show Brian Kim, Field Coordinator, who was the only one who spoke fluid English, Mr. OH, Producer/Director, and Mr. Lee, their cameraman what true Southern hospitality was all about. Our first call was to Dan Johnson of Johnson Apple Orchards in Bedford County, Virginia. Dan was delightful as he told the story of the Beale Treasure. Brian Kim asked Danny near the end of the shoot if he believed in the legend and Danny answered with a twinkle in his eye and a slight grin, "Of course I believe! If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have spend the last two days with you on my land showing you all the secrets!," and broke into one of his huge grins as he turned to walk away while giving me a quick wink.

When Bootie and I say we can find you what you want or need if you come to our 'neck of the woods' to film, we mean it. When Brian asked for a tractor, we got him one. When he asked for a police officer, Danny made a phone call and within twenty minutes we had a real live Bedford County Deputy complete with patrol car. He did an excellent job on camera telling about the do's and don’ts when you come to Bedford to dig for treasure. He even told the story about the time a woman came to Bedford and was convinced that the gold was buried in one of the cemeteries. When she started digging in the dead of night, no pun intended, she was arrested and tried for desecrating a graveyard. The Officer stated: 'We can’t have anyone doing that.'

Brian Kim and Mr. OH, Producer/Director interviewing Dan Johnson as Sandra Eubank observes.

When we needed an old house to film in, Danny took the Korean film crew down to the site on his farm that has been used in three other reenactments of the Thomas Beale Treasure. Then they needed an actor to portray Mr. Morriss, the man with whom Thomas Beale left the locked box that contained the coded map to where the treasure was hidden, Danny supplied the box and I supplied my husband. Don Eubank made his international acting deput and did a fine job of it too! Don is an old thespian from way back that could follow directions and was able to once again bring Robert Morriss back to life.

The next day, Bootie and I took the trio to the Bedford Museum in the City of Bedford. As usual, the ladies in charge met their guests with open arms and showed them all the articles that have been written on people that have searched for this allusive treasure. Through these ladies diligence, the Korean crew found a 'gold mine' of information. Their cameraman, Mr. Lee, and Mr. OH, Director took time to film several magazine and newspaper articles which were showcased in their show, '1 Million Dollar Mysteries' which boasts of over twenty million viewers!

After we finished at the Bedford Museum, we took a ride down Main Street to the Bedford newspaper. Then, the old hunger pains took us over and we took a break. The trio just sat down on the sidewalk in front of the newspaper office and discussed their next scenes as Bootie and I walked across the street to the fast food outlet. We wolfed down our lunch and took off to our next destination where we met up with author E. J. Easterling. Ed wrote the book, 'In Search Of A Golden Vault - The Beale Treasure Mystery.' Ed Easterling took us to several locations and talked about his theories on the Beale treasure.

After the shoot, we had a small cast-crew party at The Peaks of Otter Restaurant on top of the mountain for which the restaurant is named. Friday night brings with it the 'all you can eat' seafood buffet. As we waited to be seated, they got to see the gentle beauty of the lake outside the restaurant at sunset. A family of deer wandered past our location and calmly entered the woods. It was a time of sharing and relaxation with people from another culture. We had a few good laughs over them trying to understand our Southern accents and Bootie and I trying to understand Korean. But, we did find a way to communicate and after viewing the final product, know that we were able to assist in the behind the scene efforts that led to a well made and interesting show. Best of all, Morgan Faust SOLD footage from her award winning documentary. Because of her exposure at our 2003-Vision Film Festival and listing on our web site, The Blue Ridge-Southwest Virginia Film Office was able to meet a portion of our mission statement. We were the connection between the film and television industry, the community of Bedford, Virginia and producers and directors.

The cast and crew enjoying the Peaks of Otter!
(l-r) Mr. OH, Sandra R. Eubank, Mr. Lee, Bootie Bell Chewning, Ed Easterling, and Don Eubank.

No film shoot is complete without taking a picture of the crew. Bootie and I took advantage of this American tradition and posed with our new Korean friends on Dan Johnson’s farm. We will always remember their kindness, patience, smiles and laughter not to mention their dedication in making the best possible production. Their end product showcased the Bedford area’s beautiful mountains, quaint town, and the people that live there as gracious and warm people. We hope one day SBS-TV will send them back to Southwest Virginia to perhaps uncover another one of our many mysteries.

Bootie Bell Chewning and Sandra R. Eubank take their places in Johnson's Orchards Apple sign.

Brian Kim, Mr. OH, Mr. Lee, Sandra R. Eubank,
and Bootie Bell Chewning wrapping up the day's work.

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