"Smuggler's Ransom" OFFICIAL THREAD

[Brandon]

Ok everyone I am posting this information for Smuggler's Ransom up here, and I'll continue to update as we go along.

Some of you may know that I am currently in pre-production on a film titled Smuggler's Ransom.  Well, I wanted to give everyone a little more information on the film and what the timeline looks like, etc.  I'll update this thread from time to time during the course of the next few months as we get into production and then post-production.

Anyway, here's the story.  My friend and I have acquired full funding for this 35 minute short film, and we are aiming at selling it to a distributor in the Christian film market.  We feel very strongly that the Christian market lacks good, dramatic films, and we want to make one.  



We have begun casting, and have already cast the lead role.  We were very blessed to be able to cast Anthony Tyler Quinn as the lead.  He is a very experienced actor who has been acting for 20+ years.  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0703761/



We will be holding auditions and casting the remaining 9 speaking roles next week.  



Shooting of Smuggler's Ransom will be done in Southern California.  Primarily in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley's (30 min - 1 hr. outside LA)  Filming begins on July 13-17.  We will shoot any pick-up shots we need on July 19.  

Hopefully you find this film interesting and we look forward to updating you all as we continue this exciting process.  

For more information visit: [COLOR=\"Blue\"]www.smugglersransom.com  [/COLOR]

[Ginafish]

How exciting to have a backrow seat to how this movie will be put together. I've seen commercials put together from brainstorming to tv/radio, but not a short film. Cool!

[Brandon]

Update: I never knew that holding a simple audition could be this much work! Our casting director Briane is doing most of the legwork, but working with me as well. Its been taking up so much time + energy. Looks like everyone is going to be able to show up though! Also spoke with our lead, Anthony Tyler Quinn. He's been working on the script and really has grasped the character! He's excited about the film.

[thartley]

That's great Brice!  Have you spilled a synopsis of this thing yet, or are you waiting until principle shooting is finished?

[Brandon]

Hey T!  You can read a synopsis on the official website www.smugglersransom.com

[thartley]

I loved the 80's...  sounds pretty action-packed, with the whole rescue thing going on.     Did you storyboard it?  (Yes, I'm going to go back to the website and see if I cant answer my own question! haha!!)  I am just wondering from what point the movie picks up the story and how you're gonna fit the script into the shoot schedule you gave up there!  :blink:  

Lemme go read more on your page there....

[thartley]

Okay, if you feel like homouring me and answering my questions....

How many pages is the script? I see you have a five day shoot schedule with one more day for pick-ups.  

Do you have someone lined up already to score it, and if so, who is it?

If you have any location photos from your scouting, I'd love to see them.

[Brandon]

Hey, we've got lots of location photos actually, and am planning on adding them to the site soon.  The script is 35 pages long, and yeah, we've got my buddy Matt scoring it (He also scored A Price Too High).  Keep the questions coming, I enjoy them!

[Brandon]

We had all our auditions yesterday, and it went fantstic!  We've got pretty much the entire cast casted!

[ZeroG]

Sounds ambitious. Good luck with it. It is great to see people get creative and passionate about things.

You mentioned that it was for the Christian market. That got my attention, as my wife is getting into that same market with her singing/song writing.

Apart from the smuggling of Bibles into Romania, what other story elements are Chirstian or faith based?

-ZeroG

[Brandon]

Thanks for the comments!  Hey just a bit of an update on things.  We held our auditions yesterday, and we have nailed down our cast!  We have a few non-speaking roles we want to cast still, but all the speaking parts are cast!

[thartley]

Do you have distribution plans for this and if so, what are they?

[Ginafish]

And Briceman, don't forget ZeroG's question up there.

[Brandon]

ZeroG wrote:

Apart from the smuggling of Bibles into Romania, what other story elements are Chirstian or faith based?

-ZeroG

So as not to give away the entire plot.  Lets just say the agent sent into rescue Carmen has a christian background that he has rejected.

[Brandon]

thartley wrote:

Do you have distribution plans for this and if so, what are they?

We want to bring an exciting, well done film to the christian market (which really lacks good content) and we also want the film to have a mass secular appeal as well.

[thartley]

Will you be shopping it after is complete for a dist deal, or do you already have a deal worked out?  

[Brandon]

We'll be shopping it.  We'll make a sweet trailer and one sheet for the film, and send it to a bunch of companies.

Update:  Cast page updated with photos of cast.

[Ginafish]

I don't know what \"shopping it\" means? :huh:

[Brandon]

It means having people look at your film to potentially sell it to them.  I'll make a trailer and one sheet (almost like a DVD cover of the film, making it look cool) and send it to different companies who could potentially buy the film.

[ZeroG]

agent sent into rescue Carmen has a christian background that he has rejected.

Sound like a song I heard once...

So the foundation
of what you believe,
has been shaken,
by what you have heard and seen.



Seriously, having a plot based on deep stuff like belief, really gives a solid foundation to the movie. You gotta have it all, story, acting, cinemaphotography, score. Looks like you have a good start.

Good luck,

-ZeroG

[Brandon]

Thanks.  What song is that?  I know we'll have solid acting.  The cast we got is great.

[ZeroG]

It is a song my wife wrote for me.

-ZeroG

[Brandon]

cool.  I'd really like to hear it, if she's recorded it.  We are looking for a song for the end credits of the film.

[Brandon]

Down to our last week here... finishing up last minute things for pre-production... getting schedules hammered out... going to buy craft service stuff for the set... getting the last minute props... painting orange tips of toy guns to black  Casting the last few remaining non-speaking roles... lots of work... little time... we shoot next Thursday!

[Ginafish]

Craft Service! Woohoo! I know what that is! Yummy things to eat. I can just see you sitting for an hour to paint toy guns. HA!