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PRODUCTION “Principle photography began September 21, 2006 after months of preparation and fundraising. Producers Bryan Carmody and John Versical arrived a week beforehand to prep the “The Shiawassee Ranch” for the arrival of over 18 crew members. Located in northern-lower Michigan near the town of Curran, the 640 acre property had no native electricity, and could not house more than a few people. A ‘crew village’ needed to be built from motor-homes, tents, portable shower tents, food service tents, etc. Generators were brought in to power the ‘production office’ – a small cabin near the main pond on the property. An edit suite was made out of one of the motorhomes, where editor David Lynch loaded and cut the HD footage as we shot it. During a rather hot and difficult prep day involving the construction of the actual swing-set in the film with a chainsaw, and the cleaning of a very dirty motor-home, Bryan asked, ‘Are there any other rules we can break for our first film?’ ‘Sure,’ said John, ‘Lets make a movie with a child actor, a dog, and even throw in a car stunt or two…’ Production designer Merje Veski arrived early to begin prepping the world of Jacob King, a task that included everything from the task of prepping hundreds of beer cans and cigarette packs (a few of Jacob King’s ‘vices’) with original brand names, to the more daunting task of making everything on the property accurate to the time period of 1985 – including the main cabin which served as Jacob King’s house. Line producer Claire Connelly, Assistant Director Marty Shea, and the rest of the crew arrived from Chicago and Detroit in full force September 20th – and principle photography began September 21st and continued through the 27th, with director of photography Kimmer Olesak, sound mixer Byron Smith, Bryan, and John staying a few more days to finish second unit photography. The shoot finished on schedule, despite every possible attempt of the weather to rain on the production. By September 29th everyone except the founders of Screen Door Films had left the Shiawassee Ranch. And within a few days, were too in Chicago beginning the long and arduous journey of post production. Editor David Lynch and John Versical worked for several weeks until a final picture cut was made, then the footage went to post facility “I^3” for color correction. Brian Jennings of Chicago Film Sound designed the 5.1 surround mix. Bryan Carmody put yet another feather in his cap and composed the original soundtrack on his grandmother’s Steinway baby-grand piano, and with the collaboration of violinist Remus Badea and cellist Isabel Carivelli designed the original score. Screen Door Film’s is set to premiere ‘The Swing’ at the Gene Siskel Film Center February 17th, 2007. For more information, please contact us at:
Bryan Carmody 312-656-8440 John Versical 773-742-6497
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