GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Director Junior Ashwood hardly ever sat in the chair labeled “Director.” Instead, he stood eagerly right in the action, just right out of frame. The director has a keen vision for “Rights of a Father” and the passion and patience to tell a compelling, thought-provoking narrative. Should an expecting father have a say over his unborn child?

“Cut! Just like that! One more time!”

“Rights of a Father” is Clay County resident Ashwood’s sophomore production following his film debut of “First Coast Affair.”

The film presents a unique perspective on family versus career, paternity versus maternity. The premise begins with Ramond, who is overjoyed upon learning his fiancé is pregnant. Rose, his fiancé at the start of her promising career, reluctantly tells Raymond she is considering other arrangements to deal with the pregnancy. Out of options, the couple takes their unflappable disagreement to court. In an electric courtroom battle, Raymond sues Rose to carry their child to term and deliver the child to him to raise as a single parent.

“Rights of a Father” needs you to be a film extra for the jury. Extras can participate in the cast and production.

Extras are asked to dress in business casual, as they would for jury duty, as they will have screen time and will be included in the film credits. Filming will be at 8 a.m. at the Historic Clay County Courthouse at 915 Walnut St. on Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and Dec. 9. Filming will also take place at the current Clay County Courthouse at 825 N Orange Ave. on Dec. 2, at 8 a.m.

“I will make sure any and all extras are in the film. I have plenty of room for them in and out of the courthouse scenes. The only thing needed to be prepared as an extra is to show up on time and be ready to shine on camera,” said Ashwood.

On jury duty, extras will have the opportunity to witness the cast in action.

Julie Jones plays the plaintiff’s attorney, Jordan Moss. She is excited and honored to debut in her first lead role. She says this production has an important political message in the conversation regarding women’s and men’s rights, where one ends and the other begins. Jordan Moss is the protagonist, Jones said. However, the audience will empathize with the other side.

George Smith plays the defendant’s attorney, Drake Wells. Smith was inspired by his parents, who were both in theater. He participates in the annual Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project, which is part film festival, part speed run. Having only “48 hours” to plan and act in a film has allowed the actor to be quick on his feet, confident and capable on set.

The dynamic between the characters of Smith and Jones is a film highlight. The actor and actress have chemistry when the cameras are off as much as when they’re rolling.

“I am on the winning side,” said Smith, taking five.

“That’s interesting that you think so,” responded Jones.

Later, when filming was set to begin in the courtroom, Jones took an extra moment to rehearse her lines.

“She’s not ready, your honor,” Smith quipped.

While the cameras were rolling, Smith briefly forgot his lines as he addressed Jones’ character.

“You should be ashamed of … of …” he said, trying to remain in character.

“No, YOU should be ashamed,” Jones quipped back.

The off-camera rivalry is all in good fun, an iron-sharpens-iron philosophy. Because in the context of the film, the attorneys’ stakes couldn’t be higher. The court case is over the life of a child at a potential cost to a family.

Darcy Stinnette plays Rose Lane, the defendant, the pregnant and paralyzed mother with a bright professional future.

“Being Rose is so interesting because she has such an interesting dynamic. She is still in love with Raymond. But if they’re really in love, why not wait? Rose hasn’t even enjoyed her engagement. Rose would be the one carrying the baby to term. The news is jolting.”

In her own personal life, Stinnette has suffered complications with pregnancy. She channels feelings of that difficult, emotional time in her life as she portrays Rose on set.

“(The film) is as emotional as it is political. After a scene, (Blue) would check up on me. I lost my voice screaming (in character) during filming yesterday. That’s why my voice is hoarse today.”

Especially in the context of Roe v. Wade being overturned, Stinnette commented on what it meant for Rose and her child to be on trial.

“My parents and friends in real life have their own thoughts. We all have our thoughts. Rose is a whirlwind trying to grapple with her feelings. She’s forced to take on the feelings of others. There’s a lot of conflicted feelings and nuance that I want to convey to the audience.”

She continued.

“In Rose’s view, she wants to give Raymond the world but is not ready to give it. So, he’s taking it.”

Greg Blue plays Raymond Carter, the plaintiff, the father who believes in the sanctity of life and is willing to do whatever it takes to hold his child one day.

“When portraying Raymond, I want to put myself in his shoes. Raymond is taking drastic steps because he loves his family above all else. Childbirth isn’t an everyday occurrence. (Raymond and Rose) are already financially (secure). Starting a family is not something Raymond would allow to be put off.”

Blue said it’s rare for men to win custody battles over their children. Men provide financial support but are not commonly viewed as primary caregivers. For a variety of sociological factors, single fathers are a significantly smaller percentage than single mothers.

“A tremendous joy in my life is my nephew. Friends and relatives assume he’s mine. In my own life, I plan on having a child of my own. Yes, I am channeling those feelings to resonate with Raymond’s motivations, ‘In a perfect world, it wouldn’t have come down to this. But I will be saving my child. Whatever it takes. So be it,’” Blue said.

“It’s baby fever meets birth control,” he summarized.

Production Manager Kristal Stallings is eager to entertain as much as she is to foster dialog. She is responsible for ensuring consistency between shots and scenes. She talked to actors one-on-one to communicate the intention of each scene. She wanted to portray the subject matter with respect. She said that it was intentional for a woman to represent the plaintiff and a man, and a man to represent the defendant, a woman.

“Once people see the message, it will open up a lot of conversation,” said Stallings.

The director laughed when he realized his film would be premiering next year, an election year.

“Honestly, that wasn’t planned,” Ashwood said. “I’m bracing for a lot of smoke, especially after (Roe v. Wade) was overturned.”

The director is determined to share his film, his story, regardless of controversy. He is thrilled to work with such a dedicated cast. After filming in Green Cove Springs, he plans to film at the Hoptinger bar in downtown Jacksonville, then Middleburg and Tampa.

“This is a huge step up from ‘First Coast Affair,’” he said. “You’d think I’d be (overwhelmed), but the cast is one cohesive unit. Everyone has their own lane. Everyone has their job. Everyone is helpful.”

“I want (the audience) to lean back and think, ‘I didn’t think about it in the angle. I didn’t think of it from that perspective.’ When men become fathers, it’s as if the courts turn around and tell them to ‘sit down and shut up.’ Where do the father’s rights begin? Let’s turn the conversation. Let’s not just say, ‘My body, my choice.’ Because it takes two to make a life.”

On the other side of the country, on the other end of I-10, is Hollywood, California.

“To think that over 100 years ago ‘Hollywood’ found its start in Jacksonville and then moved across the country at the whim of an oil tycoon,” said Dean Phillippi, who plays the judge.

With his talented cast, Ashwood plans to bring the silver screen back home. “Rights of a Father” will premiere at Terry Theater in Jacksonville in spring 2024.