Local filmmaker helped make ‘Cabrini’ happen in Buffalo

When Buffalo turned back the clock to 1890 during the filming of “Cabrini,” Orchard Park’s own Keanna McLaughlin helped make it happen. The 26-year-old served as locations coordinator for the film project, serving as the go-between of the location manager and the homeowners. She collected permits, got leases between studio and homeowners signed, coordinated with police and fires departments. She even had to find a safe spot to “drown” a child.

Buffalo, which has seen notable films from “The Natural” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” filmed here, appealed to the producers of “Cabrini” due to its architecture and natural landscape that could replicate New York City in the 1890s.

“I think it (the location decision) was between a couple places,” McLaughlin said. “The producer was from Philadelphia, so I know they were considering that area. But Buffalo really had everything they needed. They needed waterfront. They needed city and architecture that could mimic 1890s New York. They had vast landscapes. We shot at Knox Farms. In the film, it looks so amazing. You need all of that in a small radius. To get that is not super common. So, having Lake Erie right there to mimic New York City’s waterfront so they could add in the Statue of Liberty was a great thing. They didn’t have to travel to many places to shoot.”

Buffalo could also replicate Italy, and there was a tax incentive involved to make production in the Nickel City even more appealing.

“Buffalo checked a lot of those boxes,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin has dreamed of being in the film industry since she was 6. She studied Video Production at SUNY Fredonia. Her big break came when her father, Kevin McLaughlin, mission advancement gift officer for OLV Charities, met with an advertising company and casually mentioned Keanna’s goals. 

“I met with (commercial producer) Melanie Morse and she got me on my very first film (2019’s “Crown Vic”). She has been an amazing source for my questions. We’ve worked together so much. Buffalo really has a fantastic film community. It’s very family-like, which is awesome, but they’re open to new faces who are fresh out of college and want to work in the industry.”

She went on to work on “A Quiet Place Part II,” “Catch the Fair One,” “Nightmare Alley,” “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.”

The small crew of “Cabrini,” gave McLaughlin many opportunities to learn other aspects of the filmmaking process.

“Typically, you are in the production office and not on the field, but because we had so many locations and were so short staffed, I ended up being pretty mobile in my job,” she said.

Along with permits and leases, she had to scout secondary locations when the first choice didn’t pan out.

“In the Locations Department, we were coming across a lot of places saying yes and then pulling out. So, we were scrambling quite a bit a few times where we had the perfect location, then they would change their minds right before they signed the agreement.”

A simple shoot on downtown Main Street involved making the Metro Rail disappear to be accurate for the period drama.

“We put dirt all along that. I was the one communicating with NFTA Metro to be sure we were set on what days we’d be shooting, what times, and we could stop their traffic pattern for that day. Unfortunately, the Locations Department is the annoying department. If there’s road closures or delays in traffic, that is us.”

Another task involved finding water clean enough for a scene where a young Francesca Cabrini nearly drowns.

“Looking back after watching the film, it felt like Mother Cabrini had a hand in this, because we thought, ‘This is great. We have something good,’ then all of a sudden it would get pulled out from under our feet. There was a lot of faith that things would work themselves out.”

She briefly met Emmy and Tony winning actor John Lithgow, who plays Mayor Gould, on set. But became good friends with Cristiana Del’Anna, who plays the lead role of Mother Frances Cabrini.

“Cristiana and I became real close while shooting,” MacLaughlin said. “I spent July 4 with her. She was very, very sweet. She was excited about this role. You could tell she took it seriously and it meant something to her. Which is always lovely to see in actors. I think they all feel for their characters, but she truly was such a kind person.”

It’s not common for a number one (the first on the call sheet) to bond with the crew members. 

“Cristiana was out there with grips and electric, the rough and tough guys. She said, ‘They have all the good stories. I want to hear all the fascinating stories.’ She was so genuine about it.”

McLaughlin is proud of the final result. It’s hard for her to get lost in a film she has worked on, but when she saw the finished “Cabrini” with some friends in Atlanta, they all cried. “I felt so proud to have worked on something so beautiful. I knew it was going to be visually beautiful when we finished it. This story came together so well.”

Horror movies are meant to scare an audience and action films should thrill a viewer. How should viewers feel after seeing a film about a 19th-century nun battling politicians and Church hierarchy?

“I want them to feel … ambitious,” McLaughlin said. “I want them to think about their lives and how they can be doing better for others. I want them to leave feeling like they may not be a saint. Some people may not be women watching the film. I want them to feel empowered that their choices mean something. I want people when they leave to feel empowered that they can help others.”