In Fredericton, an adaptation of Stephen King’s Last Rung on the Ladder is being filmed, directed by Michael Stafford. The film is part of King’s Dollar Baby Program, which allows filmmakers to secure the rights to his short stories for $1. Stafford, who obtained the rights before the program ended in 2023, is passionate about bringing King’s story to life on screen. The film follows the story of a childhood incident involving a ladder in a hayloft and the suicide of main character Larry’s sister Kitty. Stafford aims to stay true to King’s original story and satisfy the audience’s expectations for a King film.
The film features Erica Whitman in the role of adult Kitty, who faces the challenge of capturing the story’s heavy emotions with her expressions. She sees playing a character from Stephen King’s dark and twisted mind as an exciting acting challenge. Special effects makeup artist Marc Deveault is excited to work on the film’s monsters, which are a variation from the original story. Having previously worked on Stephen King projects, he aims to meet King’s standards and bring the film’s terrifying visuals to life. Ten-year-old actress Reagan MacNeil, who plays young Kitty, sees this as an opportunity to showcase her talents and hopes the film will be successful.
With a local cast and crew, Stafford hopes to draw attention to New Brunswick’s film scene and potentially attract larger television productions to the capital city of Fredericton. He believes that the city is gaining momentum in filmmaking and is optimistic about the future of the industry in the region. By creating opportunities for local talent and showcasing the capabilities of the film industry in Fredericton, Stafford aims to elevate the profile of the city as a destination for filmmakers. The production of Last Rung on the Ladder is just one step in the city’s journey towards establishing itself as a hub for film and television projects.
Overall, the filming of Last Rung on the Ladder in Fredericton represents a significant moment for the local film industry. Through the adaptation of Stephen King’s story, director Michael Stafford is showcasing the talent and potential of the region’s filmmakers and actors. With a focus on staying true to King’s vision and delivering a satisfying experience for audiences, the film has the potential to make an impact and generate interest in New Brunswick as a filming location. By bringing together a dedicated cast and crew and working on creating visually stunning and emotionally resonant scenes, Stafford is contributing to the growth of the film scene in Fredericton and setting the stage for future projects in the region.
