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32 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2019 "Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane," produced by Rocky Hill-based Synthetic Cinema, was filmed in Old Wethersfield and will air on the Hallmark Channel later this year. I was on some big, big blockbusters and it was intoxicating, exciting, but I wanted more. I wanted to understand how I could take the next step," he said. And for the Cromwell native, that next step was film production. "Filmmaking is the culmination of hundreds of people's skills on one project and that is the fabric that really inspires me because you have to put it all together and make it work." In 2012, Gere drew on that inspiration to branch out and become more involved in the business end of moviemaking. "I realized that I really might have a good mind for producing, and started to produce some smaller, independent films," he said. "I played them close to home in Cromwell, Middletown, realizing that I could get some help from friends and family and resources I had access to." Since then, Gere's been involved with the production of more than 41 films, including seven feature films shot in Connecticut. "I really have a wonderful opportunity to bring some of these bigger projects back here, which is great for communities, great for local talent, great for the economy," he said. Among his recent Connecticut-based films are "The Find," a horror film shot in Chester, "My Adventures With Santa," a holiday movie filmed in Cromwell and Meriden, starring Denise Richards, and "CREDIBLE," a documentary on ECW World Heavyweight Champion PJ Polaco. Last year, Gere along with producer and partner, Chelsea Vale, formed the production company, Shadow | Vale Productions, which has a variety of projects in development, along with the film "Avery's Sin," a psychological thriller that begins production later this summer. "I'm very proud of being one of the people at the helm of the movement to bring film and different elements of multimedia to Connecticut," he said. And going forward, he hopes that it only continues to build momentum. "I want to continue to make great feature films, up the ante in terms of the scope, and really play some great projects to Connecticut and continue the longevity of that process for myself, for my company, and all the people I work with here." Cromwell native David Gere on the set of "My Adventures with Santa," which was filmed in Meriden, Middletown and Crowmwell. [Photos | Ryan Sweeney ] DIGITAL MEDIA & FILM