RiverScene Magazine | Aye Matey – Pirate Movie Filmed In Havasu Released

By Janet Cruz

Hollywood is usually the center of the entertainment industry, however Lake Havasu City has been home to many music videos and films including the film “Time Pirates” which is now streaming.

Filming and production began March 2022 in Lake Havasu City with some parts also shot in Los Angeles.

The film is a comedy and musical directed by Anthony C. Ferrante who is also known for his work on the “Sharknado” movie series.

“Time Pirates” also features scenes around Lake Havasu which include the London Bridge and the pirate ship Siren’s Gate that can often be seen on the lake.

“The pirate ship, the open water, Windsor Beach – it’s perfect,” Ferrante said.

“We were trying to find a pirate ship in Los Angeles but couldn’t find one. Our producer said there was one in Arizona so we came down to Lake Havasu and saw the open water and the pirate ship here, and it was just perfect,” Ferrante said.

Cast and crew work on the Siren’s Gate Pirate Ship during the filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“Our very first event after bringing Siren’s Gate to Lake Havasu was a Hollywood movie! How cool is that? It was so fun seeing how things worked behind the scenes and we loved that local talent got to be involved,” said Siren’s Gate co-owner Layla Wade.

The film stars include all members from the band SM6 who quickly rose to fame on Tiktok and are known by young fans for their positive and upbeat music.

“These kids are very talented. They are really really good,” added Ferrante.

Lake Havasu movie SM6 "Time Pirates" RiverScene Magazine Jillian Danielson Photos

Anthony C. Ferrante poses with the band SM6 during filming of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Angela Cole learned about the project after she was approached by Ferrante who wanted to create a fun musical.

“When I heard it was going to be a pirate musical, I was like who could say no to that,” said Angela Cole. I auditioned, got the role, and was excited about it,” Cole added. “I read the script and thought it was fantastic.”

Cole’s role is Anne Bonny, the love interest of Captain Miles Cooper played by actor Jack Pearson.

Film crews work on the “Time Pirates” set in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“I was finishing up filming a previous project when I learned about this film and was excited to learn that SM6 was going to be in it,” said actor Jack Pearson. “I love the band – I am a fan.”

“Havasu has a small town feel here and the people here have been warm and kind and accepting to us,” said actor Julian Sensley.

The film also features actor Richard Grieco as Black Beard who is best known from the Fox Series “21 Jump Street” where he played Detective Dennis Booker and its spin-off “Booker.” He has also starred in various movies which include “Mobsters,” “Night at the Roxbury,” and “If Looks Could Kill.”

Time Pirates Lake Havasu City, AZ. movie production SM6 Anthony C. Ferrante Jillian Danielson Photos RiverScene

Richard Grieco who plays Blackbeard, gets his makeup touched up on the set of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The film starts as a fun music video, until band members discover a partial treasure map and are quickly sent back in time. Band members soon try to make their way back home while taking its viewers on an adventure back in time through parts of Lake Havasu City.

“To be part of something similar to movies I used to watch as a kid is great it is so surreal,” said SM6 member Adam Jones.

“None of us have been in a movie before, so to really see how it’s all being made, it’s really interesting cause now whenever we watch movie, we can see how much work really goes into it,” says SM6 member Jack Jones.

“This is so fun. This is so exciting (making a movie).It didn’t really kick in that we were doing this until I was getting my makeup done,” said SM6 member Eli Jones.

“Havasu is beautiful. I think the views are great and the people here are really kind,” said Anna Telfer who plays Beckett. “Its been a really nice experience so far,” she said.

Anna Telfer and Julian Sensely film a scene for “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Actor Julian Sensley is cast as Two Pegs – Black Beard’s right-hand man. “We’re the bad guys,” he said.

Senslely said he has enjoyed being in Lake Havasu City. “I had never been here. It’s a pretty majestic place. I drove out here from LA – then you hit the body of water. The people for me have been the most exciting – warm and friendly – like home,” he said.

“Time Pirates” stars Angela Cole, Anna Telfer, Jack Pearson and Julian Sensley. Lake Havasu locals can also be seen as background extras in the film.

“Time Pirates” was released this month and is rated PG13. It is now streaming for free on Tubi Tv.

Anthony C. Ferrante directs Richard Grieco during the filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Angela Cole and George Jones are two of the stars in “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jen Albert works with Julian Sensley on sword fighting during the filming of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Angela Cole and Richard Grieco in a scene during the filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Time Pirates Lake Havasu City SM6 Richard Grieco

Lights and camera crews work on the filming of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Havasu locals cast as background film a scene in the movie “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Time Pirates Lake Havasu City, AZ. movie production

Adam and Emily Jones of SM6 climb the stairs of the pirate ship during the filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

George, Ellie, and Adam Jones of SM6 climb the stairs of the pirate ship during the filming of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Angela Cole, Anna Tefler, and George Jones rehearse during the filming of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Anthony C. Ferrante directs “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Mado Ismailova works on the set of “Time Pirates” in Lake Havasu City. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Adam and Jack Jones of SM6 work on the set of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Adam and Jack Jones of SM6 work on the set of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Film crew work on the set of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Adam and Isabel Jones of SM6, along with film crew, work on the set of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Angela Cole, SM6, and Jack Pearson take a break during filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Havasu local Tyanna Wilson is cast as a mermaid in the filming of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Sean Wyn works on the set of “Time Pirates.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Richard Grieco works on the set of “Time Pirates.” Grieco plays the role of “Black Beard.” Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The cast of “Time Pirates” have some camera fun during a break. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Siren's Gate Pirate Ship Lake Havasu City AZ.

The Lake Havasu Airbnb ship “Siren’s Gate is transformed into the “Red Queen” for the filming of “Time Pirates.” The ship is co-owned by Layla Wade and Ryan Dimit. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene