Whew, That Was A Close One! :j

So sadly we were not able to get Episodes 1 & 2 filmed these last few weekends.  Though it may have turned out for the better because what was supposed to be a really awesome setup, was not really prepared like it was supposed to be after all.  That's all an afterthought anyways, so let's back up a bit to mid October:

Day -14
It's two weeks before the first scheduled film shoot, we have had a short meeting with a bunch of the extras already and now we're meeting with Cody Ketcher (playing Running Red).  We do a Skype meeting with him since he's moved up to Salt Lake City, most of the crew are physically present along with a couple other actors.

Day -10
All actors, actresses, & crew are still commited and keeping their schedules clear for the film dates (bless their volunteering hearts).  CK & John Johnson meet with Darrell Phillips to see their prosthetics being created for the film, they look great!

Day -3
Due to school, work, and other film duties CK isn't able to get some costumes made for some of the characters till today.  Some of the accessories aren't mailed on time and arrive the following Monday, clearly after the scheduled film shoot (but it's due to a babysitter's slacking, not the seamstress that created the parts).  Another full costume is made and ready the day of filming.

Day -2
7:00pm  ~  A actor playing a raider extra texts CK telling him he wants to drop out.  CK spends the next 30 minutes recommiting him to show up (he was needed because another actor had to work, making this recommitment essential).

Day -1
11:05am  ~  Cody sends CK a text telling him due to unexpected financial difficulties he might not be able to drive down to STG from SLC for the film shoot.
12:00pm  ~  CK pulls out all the stops and tries to see if any of his many great relatives in the Salt Lake valley can talk to Cody and/or help him out.
2:05pm  ~  Cody sends CK a text telling him that CK's Grandpa & Grandma Stratford visited him and that he should be making it down to St. George.
5:45pm  ~  CK speaks to Katherine Tyler for some advice about creating a prop and gets a second confirmation that Cody is indeed coming down for the film.
7:00pm  ~  Due to time constraints CK has to tell a actor that since the actor can't get a ride, and CK is swamped with other film duties (preventing him from driving up to Cedar City to pick the actor up), he'll have to let the actor go for this coming film shoot.  Thankfully the actor understands and is still willing to act later.
7:05pm  ~  One of the main characters, one of the guys that know parkour, texts CK telling him he's sick and can't show up.

Day 1
7:00am  ~  A actor texts CK telling him he's really sick and can't show up.
8:45am  ~  CK sends a couple actors to pick up the still sorta sick/queazy parkour actor.
10:30am  ~  CK contacts Darrell to make sure he doesn't waste time showing up to a "practice" film shoot

Then on the morning of that first scheduled film day, BESIDES the actor problems, a bunch of the equipment was either missing or didn't work (gunshot effects, missing batteries, forgotten camera parts, etc).  So CK had gotten so depressed and lost at this time, not because he couldn't do the film he wanted to create but because he was letting everyone down and felt he was wasting everyone's time.  Especially those that had truly gone out of their way to help him out.  It was at this point that CK Stratford very seriously considered pretending to film for just a couple hours, canceling that night's shoot, and then never EVER look to film or anything like it again.

Thankfully at this extremely low time, Cody of all people (the one that had given the most time & money) suggested that the filming just be considered a "rough draft" and that we just film at a later date.  So that's what we've decided, have done, and will do.  :)  We'll see you later!

Getting Better And Better!

Boy, this is just getting better and better! These coming film shoots will be two webisodes filmed at once, officially episodes #1 & #2, and thankfully the Lord's blessed us with even more interested talent. The few flyers around town (& on Craigslist) have produced many more connections to create a MUCH better film. How much better will these episodes be than the pilot? Let us count the ways...

1. Bob Willard
• Professor at Dixie State University, but before teaching he'd worked on a multitude of films (most recently Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) with special effects. He teaches classes in special effects, lighting, & production design. He'll be lending some of his effect equipment.
2. Cragun Clayburn
• Excellent makeup effects artist with body parts, but learning how to create great face masks too (he's a sort of apprentice to Darrell). Deals mostly in pretty gruesome prosthetics, hopefully he'll branch out.
3. Darrell Phillips
• Awesome face mask/prosthetic creator, has done legit creations for many films.
4. Eric Pickett
• Great guy beginning into the lighting field, owns a few lights with gels to create the right mood. Also an aspiring actor!
5. Chris Johnson
• Good amount of audio experience by helping his father who has been dealing with audio (including DJing) for over 40 years.
6. _____ ________
• Great portfolio of music experience, has the ability & talent to go really far in life with their work.

So how does all that sound? Oh, you want pictures too?!  ;)  Okay, here's a few samples for you: