Fairhaven High School featured in actor Paul Giamatti's next film 'The Holdovers'

FAIRHAVEN — Actor Paul Giamatti is set to play a crabby high school prep teacher in his next film “The Holdovers” and the production crew has its eye on Fairhaven High School to shoot some of the motion picture.

The School Committee met with Patrick Brazile and Tom Cadrin, of Honest Scholar Productions, LLC, based in Acton, on Wednesday to discuss entering negotiations for the crew to use one classroom, the auditorium and cafeteria during filming.

“This is the real deal,” School Superintendent Tara Kohler told the school board.

The film crew will roll in with roughly 130 crew members and plan to work at the school from Feb. 22 to 26, over the school’s winter break.

Cadrin said crews will set up on Feb. 22 and 24, shooting will be on Feb. 25, and everything will be packed up and moved out on Feb. 26.

“We’re really excited for the opportunity to film in your beautiful school,” Cadrin said.

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The film crew trucks and heavy equipment will be parked at the Whale’s Tooth parking lot on the New Bedford waterfront. Police detail will be used during the preparation and filming time at the school. There will be two trailers containing props for the film that will be parked on the street at the school and will have round-the-clock security on hand.

He also said strict COVID protocols will be followed.

The film, Cadrin said, is set in 1970 and Giamatti plays a cranky prep teacher who takes care of a 15-year-old student who is not able to go home for Christmas break. They are joined by the high school cafeteria worker, who is also not going home for the holidays.

“It’s a Christmas movie...a heartfelt, wonderful story,” Cadrin said.

The project reunites Giamatti and director Alexander Payne. They last worked together in 2004 for the Oscar-winning movie “Sideways.”

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Kohler told the committee that extensive talks and meetings with the production company have taken place and reported the company was nothing but professional and respectful.

“We put them through the ringer,” Kohler said when vetting the production company.

The school board approved a motion to allow Kohler to continue negotiations with the film company to use the high school during the time requested.

Standard-Times digital producer Linda Roy can be reached at mailto:lroy@s-t.com You can follow her on Twitter at @LindaRoy_SCT. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Fairhaven High featured in actor Paul Giamatti's film The Holdovers