Springfield native looks forward to highlighting Ozarks in feature film 'Big Mike's Cabin'

Rebecca Holopter and Verity Butler met over a bowl of chili in Los Angeles more than 14 years ago. Now, the two are trudging through the Ozarks, scouting cabins, old gas stations and caves for their first feature-length film.

Later this year, Holopter and Butler will star in a feature-length film they co-wrote, "Big Mike's Cabin." The film tells the story of two 40-year-old women, Marianne and Caroline, who reconnect during a trip to the Ozarks.

The Ozarks have become a popular Hollywood setting in recent years, with the release of television shows like Netflix's "Ozark." But while projects like these were filmed outside of the region — "Ozark" was mostly filmed in Georgia — the entirety of "Big Mike's Cabin" will be filmed in Missouri.

Holopter, who still lives in L.A., and Butler, who lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, are spending this week in the Ozarks scouting locations for the film, including Britain's Store in Everton, Ha-Bob's Market in Lampe and Stark Cavern in Eldon. They also checked out an A-frame cabin near Shell Knob that could be used as their main cabin setting. Although a production schedule has yet to be nailed down, Holopter said the film will be shot this year.

New to the "Big Mike's Cabin" team is John Crye, Holopter said. Crye is a producer who helped develop, acquire and distribute independent films like Christopher Nolan's "Memento," Richard Kelly's "Donnie Darko" and Niki Caro's "Whale Rider."

Crafting a new type of narrative based on lived experiences

More than 14 years ago, upon moving to Los Angeles from Springfield — where she was born, raised and attended Missouri State University — Holopter lived in a two-bedroom house with about five other roommates. One night, the roommates came together and held a little chili cook-off. Holopter whipped up her white chicken chili and Butler was one of several guests. It didn't take long for the two to hit it off (maybe this was because Butler voted for Holopter's chili as her favorite).

Around 2010-2011, Holopter had a dream about a project, which inspired her to collaborate with Butler — and others — on a Western horror television series. The project was in the works for about 10 years. Unfortunately, the series was never completed, but it did inspire them to keep working together.

"This project ('Big Mike's Cabin') kind of came from that, channeling that heartbreak into this story," Holopter said. "It was kind of cathartic to write it because it's about these two women who lose a dream and move through their grief and figure out their friendship and what it means after all of that."

In "Big Mike's Cabin," this lost dream for characters Marianne and Caroline is their flower shop, Flower City. After successfully opening the brick-and-mortar store, Flower City begins to fall apart. Hoping to salvage the shop, Marianne uses inheritance left to her from her father's recent passing and Caroline begins hosting after-hours children's parties, but the shop is doomed to close. Afterward, the friends decide to go their own ways.

A year later, Marianne and Caroline reunite for a getaway in the Ozarks. The two transcend into the world of the Ozarks after a cave tour that serves as a "portal" to a place that will prove to be a safe-haven realignment, both physically and mentally. During the trip, Marianne and Caroline interact with a hodgepodge of characters, including a grounded maintenance man, ghostly father and talking rooster.

Holopter and Butler are the film's leads — Holopter as Caroline and Butler as Marianne. Many of the characters' experiences are direct representations of situations from Holopter and Butler's lives. For example, Ghost Dad, who visits with Marianne in the film, is based on Butler's father, who passed away recently, too.

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In addition to Holopter's and Butler's life experiences, "Big Mike's Cabin" is inspired by '90s romantic comedies. Holopter said she was interested in writing a more platonic-type of romantic comedy that represents 40-year-old female friendships in a way she hasn't seen before.

"I think a lot of times, the films you see about women in their 40s or older friendships, it's usually a slapstick comedy, which is great and I love those, but I think there's a place too for a relationship (where) they're going through stuff," Holopter said. "Yeah, there's funny times but it's also really meaningful as well."

Holopter also was intentional about how she wanted to depict Marianne and Caroline managing difficulties.

"There is no big fight between them (Marianne and Caroline), which I think is important," she said. "I think a lot of times when you show women getting upset at each other, there's a big ... cat fight. (Verity) and I, in our 14 years of friendship, we have never yelled at each other."

When it comes to visual inspiration, the two hope to capture elements from some of their favorite movies and television shows, "20th Century Women," "Nomadland," "I Love Dick," "Thelma & Louise" and "Practical Magic."

Holopter and Butler included, the "Big Mike's Cabin" cast features about 25 to 28 speaking characters. Holopter said the majority of these roles have been filled, including a role that will be played by St. Louis-based Cleo King. King is known for her roles playing the police liaison officer in "Pineapple Express," Marcie in "Magnolia," Officer Garden in "The Hangover" and a minister in "Bubble Boy."

Filming in the Missouri Ozarks

Setting "Big Mike's Cabin" in the Ozarks, where she grew up, was important to Holopter. As an L.A. resident, Holopter said she is often met with skepticism about why she would want to film back home.

"I just think it is really beautiful here and I really want to highlight and show that because I feel like what people think of Missouri is not the best," Holopter said. "I also really think the artistry, especially from the Ozarks, is incredible. I love the kitschiness of the area so much; it just feels so good."

More: These 16 television shows, movies are set in Missouri — but were they filmed here?

One local artist Holopter is especially excited to partner with Ozarks-based musician Ingrid Chiles, who performs as ings, and is scoring the film.

While "Big Mike's Cabin" was written with Missouri as its setting, the two are also looking forward to taking advantage of the new Show-Mo Motion Media Production Tax Credit program, more commonly referred to as the Missouri film incentive, which was passed in July 2023. The incentive authorizes a tax credit equal to 20% of qualifying expenses for filmmakers.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New feature film 'Big Mike's Cabin' to be filmed entirely in Ozarks