Anyone who has walked the streets of DeLand knows what a jewel it is. After all, its downtown was named “America’s Mainstreet” in 2017. But, what you may not know is that DeLand is home to a new local “celebrity” thanks to a commercial for the prescription drug Chantix. Mark Blanchette, a fine arts photographer who calls DeLand home, was featured in the commercial that started airing in January. One of the settings is DeLand's Forno Bello restaurant.
Mark wrote to the company around 2010 to tell them his story of the success he had using the smoking cessation aid medication. Then in 2013, they responded with some interest in speaking with him further. Nothing materialized after that phone call until February of 2017 when a representative called again, this time wanting to delve further into Mark’s story. After numerous interviews and medical and pharmacy record checks, Mark was asked to film a commercial for the company.
The film crew descended on DeLand in June 2017 for a week of production. As much as Mark tried to convince the crew that long sessions outdoors in the Florida, June sun weren’t a grand plan, they insisted and some fell victim to the relentless heat and humidity. Production continued with filming scenes of Mark at home, in his darkroom working on his artwork, enjoying Barkley Square with his wife and two of his dogs, walking Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, in DeLeon Springs, and then eating at Forno Bello in Downtown.
When asked if he enjoyed his Hollywood experience, Mark said, “I can agree wholeheartedly … it was a blast!” And, once you see the commercial, you’ll agree that he did a great job representing his hometown and showing our jewel of a city off to the millions of people who will watch.
The film crew descended on DeLand in June 2017 for a week of production. As much as Mark tried to convince the crew that long sessions outdoors in the Florida, June sun weren’t a grand plan, they insisted and some fell victim to the relentless heat and humidity. Production continued with filming scenes of Mark at home, in his darkroom working on his artwork, enjoying Barkley Square with his wife and two of his dogs, walking Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, in DeLeon Springs, and then eating at Forno Bello in Downtown.
When asked if he enjoyed his Hollywood experience, Mark said, “I can agree wholeheartedly … it was a blast!” And, once you see the commercial, you’ll agree that he did a great job representing his hometown and showing our jewel of a city off to the millions of people who will watch.