Romantic Movie Will Feature Eastern Market Metro Plaza

Octet Productions sets up on the NE quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza to film a scene from A Kismet Holiday.

Octet Producers Chuck and Bree West (center and right) confer during a break in the shooting.

Romantic Movie Will Feature Eastern Market Metro Plaza

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 7, 2023

Thursday morning found a local production company filming scenes for A Kismet Holiday, on Eastern Market Metro Plaza near the children’s’ playground.  The holiday love story is based in DC and is a spinoff of the 2001 film Serendipity which starred John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

The film is the latest project of Octet Productions, owned by Executive Producer Chuck West and Creative Producer Bree West.  According to Bree West the film portrays a couple who meet “in a series of serendipitous path-crossings, overcome obstacles, and experience some Christmas magic which works in their best interests.” 

She added, “It’s important to showcase the beauty of our own city and to employ its residents.  Washington is home to a lot of different things and destinations and this movie shows off the heart of the city.  It’s a beautiful love story and you can feel the beauty and love on the set.” 

Assistant Director Al G. Sillah (in white sweatshirt) gathers crew members before the shoot for a Safety Meeting – part inspiration, part aspiration, part expression of gratitude, part prayer circle, and part bonding ceremony. 

The film will feature scenes in every quadrant of the city.  West said that after the morning shoot, the company would move to Northwest where a holiday tree vendor has kept a Christmas tree lot open past the holidays so a scene could be shot there. 

From left, A Kismet Holiday Director, Chazitear, Octet Creative Producer Bree West, and Octet Executive Producer Chuck West.

OCTET Productions was founded in 2015 and is based in DC.  Their website lists 15 productions – for more info, go here:  https://octetproductions.com/   Octet is active in the academic community and works with Duke Ellington School, Howard University, American University, and Bowie State University in film production education programs.  According to their website, Octet partners include BET, BETher, TVOne, and UMC.