Lights, Camera, Action! Movies Filmed at Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia’s second largest lake has been the star on big screens and little screens over the years, with two movies filmed at Smith Mountain Lake.

“Lake Effects” starring Jane Seymour

Most recently, Smith Mountain Lake served as the setting for the movie “Lake Effects,” an independent film produced by Life Out Loud Films, LLC, in 2011. The movie stars Jane Seymour, Jeff Fahey, Scottie Thompson, Madeline Zima, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Richard Moll.

“Lake Effects” is a family “dramedy” – a drama and comedy – centered on a young woman, estranged from her family, who returns to the lake after her father’s death to help settle his estate.

The film is the young woman’s journey as she struggles to reunite with her mother and sister, rediscovering the beauty of the lake and understanding what the lake meant to her father.

The women’s lives cross paths with local oddballs searching for “Smithy,” the Smith Mountain Lake monster rumored to lurk beneath the deep waters.

Where was “What About Bob?” filmed?

The last major movie to be filmed at Smith Mountain Lake (SML) was the 1991 comedy “What About Bob?,” starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss, that supposedly took place at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

20,000-acre Smith Mountain Lake is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This four-season destination is home to 20,000-plus residents and hosts special events throughout the year, including bass tournaments, 4th of July fireworks on the water, a wine festival, fall chili and craft festival, charity home tour of lakefront homes, and a Christmas boat parade.

Four golf courses plus a county and state park (both with beautiful sand beaches) provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.