It has taken decades, but an actor best known for his role on The Dukes of Hazzard TV series is finally doing what he always thought was his calling: producing films.
The Associated Press reports John Schneider, best known for his role as Bo Duke on the show, is celebrating the recent release of his horror-comedy movie Smothered, which was shot at his John Schneider Studios in Holden.
But it has taken years for him to reach this point, and Mother Nature nearly wrecked his dream when massive flooding earlier this year covered all 58 acres of the studio grounds and left thousands of homes in the area under water.
“It was awful, not being there,” he says. “I was helpless to do anything about it.”
Schneider opened John Schneider Studios in Holden—between New Orleans and Baton Rouge—two years ago.
Schneider says he has considered himself a filmmaker since the age of 12 but knew even earlier that he wanted to be in the industry.
“I was the kid with the Super 8 and splicing tape in Mount Kisco, New York,” he says. “I believe that when you get in touch with your design, you know it. You know when you’re young, but then adults try to talk you out of going after your dreams.”
Now 56, Schneider says he can recall going to theatres to see movies and knew deep within himself that he was in the “wrong seat.”
“I would say, ‘I should be there, not here,'” he said.
John Schneider Studios, located on 58 acres that includes a swamp and bamboo forest nestled against the Tickfaw River, is his way of tapping into that inner struggle, he says.
“This is a haven for independent filmmakers,” Schneider said of his studio. “You can stay here, bring your script here, film your movie here and swim in the pool while it’s being edited. If you’re a storytelling person then you’ll like this space. It’s a place where you can dream and fulfill those dreams at the same time.”
