The Emerson Inn By The Sea once again took on the title role for the filming of "Hatteras Hotel" yesterday.

And two of the film's producers, Karl Richards and Maurice Chasse, took time out to talk about the picture, which is due in theaters late next year, and why Rockport and Cape Ann got the nod for the set location.

Yesterday, the Times was invited to join the cast and crew on the set as scenes were shot on the grounds of the picturesque Rockport inn. As filming ceased for a lunch break, Richards and Chasse took time to talk about the movie and their Cape Ann experiences.

Q — Why'd you decide to film in Rockport and throughout Cape Ann?

Chasse: The original script called for a made-up New England town and this setting was just perfect. I lived in Boston for a number of years so it was a chance to come home and make a movie.

Q — Have you gone out to local restaurants or coffee shops?

Richards: We've tried everything. If it exists in Gloucester, we've been there.

Chasse: We've been to the Rhumb Line, where all the fishermen hang out, and Latitude 43 and a lot of the places here (in Rockport) are good, too.

Q — This is the first film being shot in the United States for Entertainment Motion Pictures (E-Motion). How has it gone and what are the biggest differences between filming here versus in Europe?

Richards: It's been a great experience. It's very different than in Europe because the United States is unionized while mostly Europe is non-union.

Q — Why did you choose the Emerson Inn By the Sea to portray the Hatteras?

Richards: Visually, it's very interesting looking and we were looking for something that had a wonderful view of the ocean.

Chasse: A friend of mine actually saw (the inn) online and recommended it.

In the film, which spotlights a collision of social classes in fictitious Salem Harbor, young heiress Roxanne Hall (Samaire Armstrong of "Not Another Teen Movie") represents the wealthy upper crust. Ian Martin (Wade Williams of "Prison Break"), the town's new police chief is a local boy demoted from the Boston detective squad and now returning to a broken home in sleepy Salem Harbor. Their stories intersect at the classy Hatteras Hotel, which is "played" by the Emerson Inn and, in the film, is owned and run by Mrs. Sarah Sharpe (Tracey Needham of "Life Goes On," and "JAG").

The film was written and directed by Rand Marsh with writing credit also going to New York-based writer and story consultant Paul Epstein; it's being produced by Richards and Peter Bevan of London-based Entertainment Motion Pictures (E-Motion) as well as by Chasse who runs his own production company, Tale Gate, and also stars in the film.

The film, which also stars popular teen heartthrob Ryan Sypek ("Wildfire"), should be set for release later next year, Richards said.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.

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