In May, German director Helmut Metzger was back to helm his 11th movie, Das Traumschiff (The Dreamboat) in the Mid Hudson Valley.
“Hello, here's Helmut, director of Dreamboat. This is my 11th movie here in the Hudson Valley. No I can only say and emphasize this is a great time to be here today in Kingson, which is a wonderful village, a wonderful city. I was in Poughkeepsie. I was in Millbrook. I was in New Paltz, in Rhinebeck, in Rhinecliff. I really love the Hudson Valley. Thank you very much.
Joining Metzger was a team of about 50 accomplished cast and crew members from Germany and America. Das Traumschiff is in its 41st year of production. Every episode features a cruise to a different spectacular location aboard a German luxury liner. There are usually several storylines, mostly of the romantic kind, involving the passengers and sometimes the crew of every cruise. There is always a feel-good factor and usually a happy ending for all. Hudson Valley scenes featured German actors Barbara Wussow, Daniel Morgenroth and Adnan Maral.
Locations that have been featured over the past 41 years, include Argentina, Australia, Bali, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Cook Islands, Curaçao, Disney World, Dominican Republic, Dubai, The Galápagos Islands, Grenada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, New Orleans, Norway, Oman, Samoa, South Africa, Seychelle Islands, Singapore, St. Lucia, Tasmania, Tahiti, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vancouver and others. The Hudson Valley can now be added to this illustrious list.
The Hudson Valley Film Commission started working Polyphon Film and the amazing production supervisor Mona Lessnick, back in December of 2023, when location scouting began in the Mid Hudson Valley.
"As a traveling producer for the past 13 years, this was my 25th episode for Das Traumschiff," said Lessnick. "I have rarely experienced such lovely support from so many people in a region; whether it be the supportive film commission, private location owners, local businesses, local crew, local police officers, town clerks, mayors - you name it. I only had lovely encouraging and supportive contact with everyone! What a pleasure and joy it was filming in the eautiful Hudson Valley!“
At the wrap party (held at Brickmen), Lessnick called the Hudson Valley Film Commission "the Wikipedia of the Mid Hudson Valley.” We’re grateful for the kind words and the wonderful rapport that was created with the entire team.
Line producer Manuel Schröder, service producer Paul Van Wormer and several other key team members were also involved with the lead team with many others traveling to the region in for the May production. Many of the crew members for Das Traumschiff, previously worked in the region while filming the ZDF TV series Katie Fforde, from 2009-2014. Many local crew members also worked during that period including Rachaell Dama, Erica Pearce, and Jeremiah Wenutu, to name just a few.
“Shortly after interning with the Hudson Valley Film Commission in 2012, they recommended me to Paul Van Wormer and the Katie Fforde production team,” remember Wenutu. “They would go on to hire me for my first professional job out of film school. It was amazing to jump into production so early in my career and get that valuable experience of working on an actual film with a veteran team. Some of the friends I made that summer are still dear friends of mine and it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today, with the network I have, if it wasn’t for that first 2012 summer with Katie Fforde.”
For Das Traumschiff, the film commission recommended several new local crew members including electrician Rob Fattorini and recent SUNY New Paltz graduate, Gabby Gagliano.
“I was honored to have been a part of such an amazing production,” said Gagliano. “The idea that the places I know are going to be seen by people in another country feels surreal. The cast and crew of Das Traumschiff are some of the nicest people I have ever met. This was my first official gig working on a professional set and every single person was so eager to answer all of my questions and teach me how things are done. They would always include me in conversations where they were mostly speaking German. The first AC, Kris Lerch, was my personal translator as well as designated bestie and camera mentor. The production team let me help out with responsibilities in every department so I could get a better understanding of how things flow on set. I couldn’t have asked for a better first set experience.”
"It is absolutely critical for students to have professional, on-the-job experience when entering the workforce,” said Gregory Bray, PhD, who chairs the Digital Media and Journalism Department at SUNY New Paltz. "It's really what all the training in the classroom is for--being ready to work on a professional set, in a professional environment. It's equally important for students to take advantage of every opportunity presented--and having the Hudson Valley Film Commission in our backyard over the past 25 years has been an enormous asset. The professors and students at SUNY New Paltz are grateful for the opportunities HVFC brings to our area."
Other HVFC recommendations included picture cars that were provided by Owen Clarke, a Tour Boat and more. Other local crew members included Lekker Catering and Amy Hutchings Casting.
“It was such a joy to work with the German production team again,” said Amy Hutchings.“This is the most organized and considerate crew I've ever worked with. It's been close to 10 years since we worked together on the Katie Fforde shows and they were thrilled to return to our magnificent Hudson Valley. The feedback I received from the extras I cast was nothing short of fabulous. They felt valued and appreciated and were always treated with respect. The producer was so complimentary and felt that the film commission helped far and beyond in helping to find locations, local crew, housing and all things production. Hoping they will return again soon.”
The film commission also worked behind the scenes to help with locations, permits and other matters. Select locations included the Hudson River, the Maritime Museum, an historic local mansion, the Historic Red Hook Diner, the Beekman Arms, the Overlook Drive-In Theater in Lagrangeville, Pugsly's Barbershop, Minnewaska State Park, Rhinebeck streets and more (see photos below).
The Film Commission signed off with service producer Paul Van Wormer, with whom we had also worked with on the ZDF TV series Katie Fforde. We look forward with hope to future German productions returning to the region.
“My name is Paul Van Wormer. I'm a freelance production manager and producer. I have been working in the Hudson Valley on various film and commercial projects since 2009 and it's an absolutely wonderful place to work and stay. And many thanks to Laurent at the Hudson Valley Film Commission for all his help. He always comes through when we need him and I can't say enough good things about working and filming in the Hudson Valley.”
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. In 2024, we celebrate our 25th year, and will continue to recommend thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background extras, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more.
Please help us continue our efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport