Lights, Camera, Action in Overland Park!
If you’ve wandered through Overland Park lately, you might have noticed some exciting happenings going on in the heart of downtown! What could be better than seeing your town on the big screen? Well, that’s just what’s about to happen with **Lifetime’s** new crime thriller, The Girl in the Garage, premiering on January 18.
Starring Big Names
This thrilling flick stars beloved actors like Paige Hurd, best known for her roles in “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Power Book II: Ghost,” along with Stephen Bishop, who appeared in “Moneyball” and “Battleship.” And let’s not forget Brad James from “Prisoners” and “A House Divided.” With such talent combined, it’s no wonder folks in the area are abuzz with anticipation!
Right Where the Action Is
Filming has taken place all around the metro area — from the scenic spots near Swope Park to iconic locations inside the Midtown Market grocery store and outside the charming Parisi café in downtown Overland Park. The cast and crew have also worked their magic at Monstera’s Books and various other local favorites. The atmosphere around the film crew has been electric, especially with the incredible backdrop of our city.
A Local Touch
Kansas City-based filmmaker Khalid Abdulqaadir is leading the project through his company, AGA Productions. Abdulqaadir is keeping the film’s plot a bit of a secret at this point, only revealing that it’s a psychological thriller based on a true story. Although the story isn’t set in Kansas City, he’s thrilled to have brought this exciting project to our neighborhoods.
Bringing Business to the Community
“We always try to spread the resources around, so we intentionally try to have an economic impact where we’re shooting films,” Abdulqaadir shared. With shooting locations ranging from downtown Overland Park to various other landmarks around the area, it’s clear he’s committed to benefiting local businesses.
For instance, the lovely Monstera’s Books provided the perfect scene for filming. The charming bookstore, located at 7930 Floyd St, matched the storyline beautifully. Even better, Studio 79 boutique helped source the costumes, showing just how much local talent is involved.
Excitement All Around
Krysten Brown, event activation coordinator for downtown Overland Park, was on hand for much of the action. “It was surreal to see the film crew set up shop,” she exclaimed, noting how the parking lot turned into a movie set filled with lights, sound equipment, and even director’s chairs. Brown also reminisced about peeking at the crew setting up, excited that the city is getting a taste of the Hollywood vibe.
The enthusiasm didn’t stop there! Umer Javed, owner of the Midtown Market, was bubbling with excitement as his store became the local star for a day. “Everyone felt like they were in California!” Javed shared about how he and his employees were surprised but thrilled to see their grocery store featured on film.
Hope for the Future of Filmmaking
Even if Kansas City isn’t the most popular filming location yet, there’s hope on the horizon. A recent film tax bill in Missouri offers tax credits that could encourage more filmmakers to explore our beautiful state as a backdrop for their stories. Abdulqaadir hopes this shift not only brings more projects to Missouri but also inspires underrepresented voices in the industry.
Wrapping Up the Excitement
This film isn’t the only cinematic creation to grace our city. While “The Girl in the Garage” is set to dazzle audiences in January, another film inspired by the romance of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, titled “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” will premiere on Hallmark on November 30. How exciting it is to see our towns get the spotlight!
So, mark your calendars for not just one but two thrilling premieres coming soon. And next time you’re strolling through downtown Overland Park, look around — you might just spot the next filming crew bringing your neighborhood to life on screen!
