The Cascade Film Collective

arrival

April 7, 2010

This is a story about a generous collaboration in filmmaking that produced a project greater than the sum of its parts.

The project is an entry in a competition launched by Moby to produce a new music video for his song “Wait for Me.”

The story began on a rainy Sunday night in October 2009 when Editor Ryan Horner and Writer/Director Mark Titus saw a Moby show in Seattle. Both agreed it was phenomenal – and fervent discussions about Moby’s work with independent filmmakers through his site Moby Gratis ensued.

Four months later Ryan told Mark he’d stumbled on a competition. Hosted through Genero.tv – the contest had already started – they’d have about five weeks to put the whole thing together – with no budget – for a Moby video – Ryan downloaded the song…

…Initial images started to flow – a woman, red-hair, of the earth, with green eyes and pale skin – emerging from the wilderness –from water – traveling across land to a decrepit city….

…Story meetings followed. They wanted to elucidate a narrative about the emotional isolation that pervaded the music – from a woman’s perspective – with images of the earth coming alive again with springtime – and the cherry blossoms that had just erupted in the neighborhoods around Seattle – and water – and the woman coming alive to herself somehow out of that water – and…

…The water spilled over the dam. More story meetings followed. The dam busted and Mark fleshed out a script – rendered as a modern, industrial retelling of the Greek Persephone myth. To be shot, cut and posted in three weeks. Without a budget…

…They agreed it was ambitious but could be done with the right people involved. If they could find them. And they had the time. And the inclination to collaborate on a project with no budget.

Ryan ran a Craig’s List ad for an indomitable actress who could pull off a modern industrial goddess. He received one, confident response.

Five minutes into their meeting with actress Trin Miller Mark and Ryan knew they’d found their Persephone.

Ryan’s fiancé Susan Barela had been at the Moby show back in October and dug it as much as they had. She agreed to come on to produce.

Mark had been in conversation for months with director/DP, Ron Gross about a chance to work on some kind of project together. They’d talked about finding a way to use the Canon Mark II 5D camera on something creative. Ron had just returned from directing the 2010 Seattle Mariners’ Spots in Peoria, AZ. He had the time – and access to the camera and agreed to come on as Director of Photography.

Mark had produced a short film, Knowing the Game with writer/director J.B. McGowan in 2006. J.B. was busy writing a new feature script but liked the project and generously agreed to come on as 1^st Assistant Director.

Costume Designers Gerard Parr and Ron Leamon had just finished a feature project and somehow had a three week window of availability to design original looks for a gritty, modern, urban fairytale.

Hair and Makeup Designer Jeanne kobayashi’s schedule was open, amazingly, during the proposed shooting schedule as well. Jeanne read the script and could visualize the different looks Trin would need in several “Worlds.” Jeanne agreed to come on board.

They needed to lock down the actor to play opposite Trin. The look they wanted was someone subterranean – hip – grimy – as if he’d been playing in a band all night. And he had to have chops. During the first costume design meeting J.B. McGowan suggested his friend, actor Brandon Dorr. J.B. called him – he was available. After a 30 minute meeting the next day, Brandon was cast as Hades…

… Peter Delacruz made the time to come on as both Production Coordinator and adroit still photographer….

…And to create a set out of the basement space donated by Judy Endejan – production designer Shannon Weathermon and Associate Producer Paul Moore scrambled to procure the mass of withered vines and the set pieces needed to turn a cellar into “The Underworld.” Mark Quinn came on board to help construct it all.

Shannon created scale models and somehow found a useable pomegranate in March. They also scouted for and found a park in Seattle, which became the set for an ethereal rainforest. Paul worked additionally as gaffer, grip and source of calm during the shoot.

Wenche Friis crafted service – feeding the crew and wrangling the ubiquitous stunt dog, Clara.

Somehow, it came together. They squeezed the shoot into three days. (And an extra afternoon to make a dead Magnolia blossom come back to life.)

Ryan edited the piece over several days from his studio and he and Mark went through two cuts before posting the finished piece to Moby’s competition on April 3^rd.

They called it Arrival. And it arrived as a complete collaboration.

You can watch it here: http://genero.tv/watch-video/5186/

If you enjoy it, please vote for it – and share if you wish. Thanks.

. CfC .

Welcome to cascadecollective!