When Eric Hendershot makes movies the entire family can enjoy, he's not talking about just when the movie is finished.
In his latest film, "Down and Derby," scheduled to premiere in Utah today and nationwide on Friday, every member of the Hendershot family took part in the production.
Eldest son Steele Hendershot produced the film, eldest daughter Hayley Hammond designed the costumes, Taylor Hendershot was art director, twins Beau and Brock Hendershot were couriers, Kade Hendershot was propmaster and Khalee and Chrissy Hendershot added creative ideas to the script.
There, that's the whole family, other than of course Eric's wife, Dickilyn, who did just about everything everyone else didn't, including helping with film editing, script editing, casting, composing and making breakfast.
Fortunately, the movie — it's about a Cub Scout Pinewood Derby competition — was shot on location in St. George. Fortunately, because that's where the Hendershots live.
This isn't to say that "Down and Derby" is some low-budget shot-on-a-minicam-in-the-backyard testament to nepotism any more than Eric's other movies, nine of which are currently under contract to HBO and Showtime.
A cast of hundreds joined the Hendershots. And for "Down and Derby," the stars came to St. George. Lauren Holly — whom "Dumb and Dumber" devotees will recognize as Jim Carrey's love fantasy — is the female lead (so yes, this is her second "D & D" movie). Greg Germann, from TV's "Ally McBeal," is the male lead, and Pat Morita — better known to you and me as Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" — plays a Japanese businessman.
They're all part of a movie that is a role reversal from Hendershot's usual kids-in-adult-situation plots. "Down and Derby" is about overly competitive dads taking over their boys' race — definitely an adults-in-kids-situation plot.
The inspiration for "Down and Derby" came not long after the name "Eric Hendershot" began registering on the entertainment radar screen back in 1978 with the successful release of "Takedown," a movie co-written by Eric and Kieth Merrill that was based on Eric's experiences as a high school wrestler.
Then came a solo script by Eric called "Impostor," which ABC turned into a TV movie. The payday from that success allowed Eric to leave his day job as a wrestling coach and English teacher at Alta High School. He hoped forever. So far, so good. He's been a moviemaker ever since.
It was when Steele became a Cub Scout in the early 1980s that the Hendershots first discovered the Pinewood Derby phenomenon of the tendency of fathers to take over the race.
"I remember when I took Steele to his first Pinewood Derby," says Eric. "We thought we had a hot car until we got to the cultural hall. I couldn't believe the other cars — the factory paint jobs, the futuristic designs, the record-breaking speeds. When it was time to race, suddenly all the kids ran to the other end of the hall to play basketball while the dads, with jaws of granite and white knuckles, pressed in close to the track. I could tell this was serious business. I can still remember saying to myself, 'There is a movie here.' "
And now, 25 years and a grown-up family later, there is.
Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.