A movie now filming in Altadena filed a permit with FIlm LA that concealed the identity of its director -- a filmmaker who is a registered sex offender and served over a year in prison for it.
A Film LA staffer says that a permit was filed for a feature film called "Desert Road," directed by Don Fauntleroy, which is wrapping up this weekend on the 2300 block of Highland Ave
However, a check of the Internet Movie Data Base shows no film by this title with Fauntleroy as director. It does, however, list Fauntleroy as a cinematographer for a film called "Rosewood Lane," which both IMDb and horror movie fan sites say is being filmed right now. "Rosewood Lane" is written and directed by Victor Salva.
Salva is an acclaimed horror film director ("Jeepers Creepers" I and II) who has also filmed warm-hearted features such as "Powder" (for the Walt Disney Co.) and "Way of the Peaceful Warrior."
But Salva served 15 months in prison in 1988-89 for having sex with a then-12-year-old actor who starred in one of his first movies, "Clownhouse." Salva is still on the Megan's Law website as a registered sex offender.
Altadena Station sheriff detective Ruby Munshi confirmed that Salva was involved in the production. She was alerted to his identity by a concerned neighbor. "It would have been nice if they would have told me [he] was in the city," Munshi said.
Munshi said that sex offenders only have to notify authorities if they are moving into the area as a resident. The laws involving their proximity to schools and daycare centers is presently being litigated.
According to a 2006 profile in the LA Times, Salva has said he has moved on with his life -- he's in therapy, he volunteers with a group that runs workshops for juvenile sex offenders, has apologized to his now-adult victim, and continues to write and direct films.
But that apparently doesn't mean the people he works with are willing let on that he's involved with a film.
In a phone interview, location manager Lawrence Dotson was asked if "Desert Road" was actually "Rosewood Lane," and if Salva was actually directing. "Whatever's on the permit is correct," he said.
Asked if it was possible that Fauntleroy could direct one film and be cinematographer for another at the same time, Dotson said, "Talented guy."
Film LA gave us another number, which went to David Van Houten of Borderline Hollywood. Van Houten said that his company "represents a number of behind-the-scenes features." When asked for more information about "Desert Road," he said "the movie you're talking about is keeping a low profile because it's a special movie." When asked if it was actually "Rosewood Lane" and if it was being directed by Salva, he said that he would have to contact the producer.
Borderline Hollywood is touting its association with "Rosewood Lane" on its website, but no word about "Desert Road." David E. Van Houten is also listed as an uncredited publicist on "Rosewood Lane."
