Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:
While the campus has quieted down considerably since the spring semester ended, you can expect an uptick in activity in the coming weeks.
As has been recently reported, Navesink River Productions will soon begin shooting a feature film at locations throughout Monmouth County, including right here on the Monmouth University campus. The film, “Miranda’s Victim,” stars Abigail Breslin, Andy Garcia, Ryan Phillippe, Sebastian Quinn, Donald Sutherland, Emily VanCamp, and Luke Wilson. Enrique Murciano, Josh Bowman, Mireille Enos, Kyle MacLachlan and Taryn Manning round out the cast.
The film chronicles the 1963 arrest and conviction of Ernesto Miranda for the kidnapping and rape of an 18-year-old woman, Trish Weir, in Phoenix, Arizona. Weir’s life is destroyed by her quest to put Miranda in prison, while it subsequently leads to the establishment of the Miranda rule, which the Supreme Court recognized as a constitutional right in its 1966 decision Miranda v. Arizona, requiring that suspects be informed of their Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights prior to interrogation if their statements are to be used against them in court.
“Miranda’s Victim” will showcase both interiors and exteriors of The Great Hall, which will be transformed to resemble an Arizona Trial Court and the United States Supreme Court, among other locations. Navesink River Productions has also hired 10 Monmouth University student interns, providing an opportunity for both practical professional experience and academic credit.
Set construction began earlier this week, and filming and production will extend through June 24. Impacts on access to specific campus facilities will be detailed under separate cover. Employees whose daily employment activities will be directly impacted by the filming and production will be contacted by their respective division leaders and given additional instructions.
We have assured the production team that we will do everything we can to maintain privacy and confidentiality during the filming and production. All sets are closed; photography, videography, social sharing, and interaction with cast and crew is not permitted. We appreciate your cooperation to ensure this production is a success.
Beyond the opportunity to showcase our magnificent campus, I am very proud that the University will play such a prominent role in the telling the events behind this significant legal milestone in American history.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President