TransPharm Pre-Clinical Solutions in Napoleon, Michigan: The doctor is in!

What a fantastic venue TransPharm Pre-Clinical Solutions is!

Dan Ross and his team have made TransPharm into one of the true gems of Napoleon, Michigan. The lab contains several areas that were perfect for shooting this trailer, and Dan and Samantha Ross were not only gracious hosts, but professional, cautious and safety-conscious to make sure that nothing could go wrong. Dan oversaw everything carefully to prevent accidental exposure and his steady professionalism, engaging personality and quick wit helped disarm any fears. (Why are my hands still shaking?)

We had a chase and fight scene outside the facility where lead actor Todd Lutz gets injected with a revolutionary process designed to rewrite the human genome. Inside, we had a wonderful hand-to-hand combat scene between Todd Lutz and John Lennox that was choreographed beautifully by John and his team.

TransPharm's Dan Ross and Samantha Ross don the gloves prior to their scene, while Brian Greenway, Jon Rowland and Brian G. Walsh discuss the shot sequence.

The filming of the trailer is complete

Cut and print that!

After arriving at TransPharm shortly before 8:00 AM, Brian Greenway, Amanda Trudell, Jon Rowland and I walked the grounds to the area we would shoot the scene where Todd Lutz's character chases the renegade scientist which leads to a desperate confrontation. This is the scene where Todd's character becomes injected with a revolutionary process that threatens the future of the human species.

Then we moved out of the rain and shot inside the lab. This included a brutal fight scene between Todd Lutz and John Lennox filmed along the breezeway of the lab. We concluded filming at the lab with a scene involving TransPharm's own Dan & Samantha Ross, who discover an act of horrific treachery.

We took a break a little after 2:00 PM. Brian Greenway, Amanda Trudell, Jon Rowland, Todd Lutz and I met at Midbrook Products at 5:30 PM to perform a walkthrough of the important rooftop confrontation scene. For a change, the weather and our sun cooperated to enhance the shoot. We parted with handshakes and hugs, weary but satisfied with all that we've accomplished over but three days of filming.

Todd Lutz waves a bloody hand from the roof at some of the cast and crew below after filming was complete.

The last day of shooting is upon us...

The shooting of the presentation trailer for the feature film, "Walking Apocalypse," officially concludes tomorrow, Sunday, September 29, 2013.

With an early start in Napoleon that begins with exterior action scenes and concludes with interior lab scenes, we have a full day of shooting ahead. After finishing the lab scenes, we'll take a short break and reconvene in Jackson for two exterior night scenes, including one of the most important in both the trailer and the feature film.

There's always the possibility that we may have to reshoot a scene or two, but for the most part, this will conclude the filming. After that, we'll prepare the film for editing before we get down to the business of putting the presentation trailer together.

Left to right: Jon Rowland on sound, Paul Broussard, Director of Photography Brian Greenway, Producer-Actor Amanda Trudell, Director Brian G. Walsh, actor Jimi Bommarito.

Looking for a Hummer, SUV or similar vehicle for Sunday shoot in Napoleon, Michigan...

HUMMER or black, newer model SUV or similar vehicle wanted for Sunday's shoot in Napoleon. Owner can drive and will be credited for participation during action scene. Will need the vehicle from 8:00 AM to approximately 12 Noon at the latest.

It's not absolutely vital to the shoot, but would add production value and make for some nice visuals if we could get a Hummer or similar vehicle. If you or someone you know has such a vehicle and would like to participate in the last day of shooting for our feature film trailer, please comment on this blog or on the similar post on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WalkingApocalypseMovie?skip_nax_wizard=true

Night Shooting with a corpse in Parma, Michigan

Shooting the the night scene was challenging last Sunday, September 22, 2013 in Parma, Michigan. If you're not familiar with Parma, it gets very dark in this quaint village. Although there was ambient light from the MACI plant in the distance, when darkness falls in Parma, it absolutely envelops you.

Brian Greenway was able to rig sufficient lighting, with help from Amanda Trudell, to get the shots we needed. Not only did we have to film Todd Lutz approaching with his gun drawn, but we had a nice little scene involving a fresh corpse with a bullet wound to the head. We had to get the shot completed before the blood oozed out of proper position.

Left to right: Amanda Trudell, Brian G. Walsh, Brian Greenway, Jon Rowland, Phil Foster.

Sunday, September 22, 2013 was a very productive day. We filmed two important scenes which required special makeup work, one an interior day scene and the other an exterior night scene. We shot both multiple times until we were satisfied, while actors Jimi Bommarito and Lisa Douglas, the “victims” of the makup jobs, practiced their craft with skill and good humor.

We began the day in Jackson, and concentrated on interior scenes only from 10:00 AM to about 6:20 PM, then took a short break before resuming in Parma after 7:00 PM. The Parma shoot consisted of only one scene, but we required angles on actors that began the scene a good distance from each other spatially. In the trailer these scenes will probably take up a few seconds, but we didn't finish in Parma until after 10:00 PM.

Left to right: Brian G. Walsh studies the position of the actors while Brian Greenway adjusts the tripod and actor Lisa Douglas prepares for the scene.

The cast and crew were great, as usual, and were primarily concerned with getting the shots right and making sure everyone was safe before proceeding. Only one more full day of filming for the trailer remains, Sunday, September 29, scheduled to shoot in Napoleon. Then it's on to the process of editing.

Day & Night Shooting

We start the day in Jackson, Michigan, for five or six scenes, all interiors, along with recording some filtered audio for an exterior scene that was filmed Sunday, September 15 in downtown Jackson.

After the sun sets, we reconvene in Parma, Michigan, for a night scene which should have considerable impact. It's an important moment in the feature script for the protagonist, a moment that causes him to distrust everyone.

I worked on the camera angles last night and this morning in order to give Director of Photography Brian Greenway my vision for today's shoot. Brian is excellent at offering several options, including new shot angles, that enhance the visuals.

Parma, Michigan: 10 miles west of the Apocalypse

We shot three interior scenes for the trailer today in Parma, Michigan. In these scenes, the lead character, Nick (Todd Lutz), got some very disturbing news regarding his personal and professional lives from actors Amanda Trudell and Mahalia Greenway.

Again, the weather wasn't cooperative. We were hoping for the sun (sun, what sun?) to enhance the natural lighting, but it remained aloof. But we were still able to get some very good shots we can use in the trailer.

We've got a real big day coming Sunday, with both day and night shooting on tap, and some scenes with great impact scheduled to be shot.

Welcome to Parma, Michigan...

We'll be filming in the Village of Parma, Michigan tomorrow, Friday, September 20, at a private residence.

We don't need any extras this weekend, but again I want to thank all of you who helped us film that important crowd scene with Todd Lutz and Paul Broussard in downtown Jackson on Sunday, September 15, 2013

My friend and fellow screenwriter and filmmaker Sharma Krauskopf is a local celebrity in Parma. I assisted Sharma with two of her three independent filmmaking workshops at libraries in Parma and Jackson. I am working for Sharma as a Co-Producer and Screenplay Consultant for her independent feature film, "Keepers," a Michigan production.

Sharma and Dominick Oliverio, also Co-Producer and Screenplay Consultant for "Keepers," provided invaluable feedback on the 1st draft of the "Walking Apocalypse" screenplay.

Production Assistant Jacquelyn Marks

Jacquelyn Marks kept a tight rein on the administration of our extras, and she did an excellent job. Jacquelyn has been with us since a little before the first shoot, so she's one of our first crew members. Without her tireless help and support, the downtown crowd shoot would not have been possible.

Jacquelyn relaxes after preparing a set for the "Walking Apocalypse" team in Parma, Michigan.

Jeff Makarauskas – Camera Assistant

Jeff Makarauskas was another indispensable asset at yesterday's shoot. Jeff assisted Director of Photography Brian Greenway and helped him set up some very challenging shots that enhanced the feel of this film. We couldn't have done it without you, Jeff, and we hope you'll return for the rest of the shoots.

Left to right: Director of Photography Brian Greenway, Director Brian G. Walsh, Actor Phil Foster, and Camera Assistant Jeff Makarauskas.

Megan Tipton – Makeup Artist

Megan Tipton is our makeup artist. She will be the one applying the artistic touch to the nasty infection that protagonist Nick Candelaria suffers, and Megan will also be creating some more difficult makeup that greatly impacts the trailer. We are pleased and proud to have Megan on our team.

Makeup Artist Megan Tipton examines her work on Star Todd Lutz' arm.

Extra needed -- must be willing to have extensive facial makeup done

We need someone to volunteer to play a man who has been mutated by the sabotage of the revolutionary genetic process in the film. As with all roles and positions on our first film, we cannot offer pay, only film credit.

We need someone who is not allergic to latex and has no allergies regarding makeup, as there may be partial facial prosthetics and makeup combined for this role.

Those interested must be available on Sunday, September 22 and Sunday, September 29. We will only need you one of those days, but we are juggling the shooting schedule as of this writing, so we need someone available either day to make sure we can slot this scene where it maximizes our time.

To apply, you may comment on this post, or comment on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/WalkingApocalypseMovie?skip_nax_wizard=true

Or simply send me an email at: brian@walshbrothersproductions.com

Jon Rowland – Sound & Lighting

Jon Rowland provided expert sound & lighting work in helping make the day a winner. Sound is so important that Jon's contributions to this project cannot be understated. Sound problems made much of the footage of my former film, “The Devil of the Desert Sands,” useless. That film was never completed, but I'll probably take another crack at it in the future.

Jon was everywhere and always on top of his game. This project is lucky to have him and I am grateful that he believes in "Walking Apocalypse" and our plans to establish an independent filmmaking hub right here in little old Jackson, Michigan.

Left to Right: Jeff Makarauskas leaves for equipment as Actor Toney Delgado, Director Brian G. Walsh, Sound & Lighting Jon Rowland & Director of Photography Brian Greenway prepare for the next shot.

A Great (Rainy) Day in Downtown Jackson, Michigan...

The downtown crowd scene was a smashing success, thanks to Producer Amanda Trudell, Production Assistant Jacquelyn Marks, and all of the wonderful local Jackson residents who imbued the scene with the necessary authenticity. Actors Todd Lutz and Paul Broussard were a hit with the crowd, and both did a great job with this scene.

To access a larger version of this image, please visit out Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WalkingApocalypseMovie?skip_nax_wizard=true

The only element that refused cooperation was Michigan's infamous and temperamental weather. It sprinkled off an on, but we're grateful we eluded one of the region's notorious downpours.

I arrived early to walk through the scene alone, just to have a fresh perspective on how the scene should play out. Then Director of Photography Brian Greenway and I conferred on options. Brian had outstanding ideas, as usual, on additional approches regarding how to frame several shots. We wrapped this portion of Sunday's shoot before 3:00 PM, and then broke for a brief bite to eat.

From here we moved on to Midbrook Medical, which offers several outstanding interior locations perfectly suited for this film. A huge “Thank You” to Midbrook Medical for the use of their fine facilities.

The shoot at Midbrook went beautifully. DP Brian Greenway framed some beautiful and very creative shots, including a marvelous innovation for a windshield scene of a moving vehicle. We had some great local actors involved at the Midbrook shoot, including Amanda Trudell, Toney Delgado, John Lennox and Phil Foster.

We also connected with a couple of local actors who will be auditioning for us this week. Even though our focus is almost entirely on “Walking Apocalypse,” there are many other films to follow, and actors who do not get cast in this film may be cast in another. We're here to stay.

Thank you to everyone who made this shoot a success.

Brian G. Walsh Director, “Walking Apocalypse”

Notice to Extras for Sunday, September 15 Downtown Jackson Crowd Scene

Location: Bucky Harris Park, corner of W. Michigan Ave. & S. Jackson St., across from City Hall. Reporting Time: 12:00 Noon

Please try to avoid wearing anything white or with stripes. And absolutely no logos, pictures, text, brand names of anything, including sports teams, is allowed to be in the shoot.

You must first either turn in your signed actor agreement or sign one at the location. You must then provide us with contact information so we can return a copy to you later.

This should be a fun shoot as we utilize our first chance to showcase Jackson, Michigan and its people. I think we've got a lot of talent in this area, but we've been lacking opportunities. If we are successful, all that is going to change.

It is my oft-stated goal to transform Jackson and the surrounding areas into an independent filmmaking Mecca. Many say we can't do it. But I say we can!

If you get a chance, please visit our Facebook page and show your support by liking "Walking Apocalypse."

https://www.facebook.com/WalkingApocalypseMovie?skip_nax_wizard=true

Thank you to everyone who has responded to this project and helped spread the word.

Brian G. Walsh Director, "Walking Apocalypse"

Thank you to the Ann Arbor Screenwriting Group

I want to thank the members of the Ann Arbor Screenwriters Group who read, reviewed and provided feedback for the 1st draft screenplay of my feature film "Walking Apocalypse."

Specifically, but in no particular order since I am grateful to all for taking the time to share their opinion, I want to thank:

Local screenwriters: Sharma Krauskopf, Dominick Oliverio, Dianna L. Zimmerman, Bradley M. Jost, David Liu, Patricia McLaughlin, Judy Hatfield & Matt Pinard.

The group met on Tuesday, June 25 to "workshop" this script during a roundtable discussion and offered suggestions for improvement and other assistance during the question and answer portion of the meeting.

Obtaining critical, objective feedback from screenwriters is an invaluable part of the process. There's no such thing as a 1st draft script that is good enough to shoot, and without the generous help of fine people and writers such as these, projects like this would be far more difficult.

1st Day of Shooting the Trailer is upon us...

It begins!

Day One of the filming of the trailer for “Walking Apocalypse.” We're shooting in the village of Parma, Michigan, a quaint village less than a 20 minute drive from the west side of Jackson, Michigan.

At the conclusion of filming, we will have a production meeting at a local restaurant or bar & grill in Parma to assess the shoot and discuss Sunday's shoot in downtown Jackson.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All extras who wish to appear in the downtown Jackson scene on Sunday, September 15, please make sure you arrive by 12 noon and bring your signed actor agreement. If you don't have one, we will provide one for you there. Please also make sure you leave your name and email or other contact information with us so we can send a copy of the actor agreement to you after the shoot.

The scene takes place at and around Bucky Harris Park, directly across the street from City Hall in downtown Jackson, at the corner of W. Michigan Ave and N. Jackson St.

Walking Apocalypse Press Release & Casting Call

Local Film Explores Peril of Speeding Up Human Evolution

Casting Call for Extras Sunday, September 15, 2013

Hollywood is full of cautionary tales warning against the perils of unbridled leaps of progress. Now revolutionary technologies and genetic advances have put the human race on the verge of taking control of its own evolution. An awesome and potentially dangerous responsibility, but it's not the science or genetic engineering that is the problem. Ironically, it's the human element that poses the biggest threat to annihilation of the human race.

“Walking Apocalypse” tells the story of a man infected with a revolutionary new genetic process originally designed to cure all hereditary disease -- but the process has been sabotaged. In 72 hours, the infection will spread to contaminate everyone this man encounters. And the process has been reprogrammed to rewrite the DNA of everyone it infects to change their genome. Unless he can find a cure, it's the end of the human species as we know it.

We are seeking extras for a scene this Sunday, September 15 in downtown Jackson, Michigan, for a crowd scene at Bucky Harris Park at the intersection of W. Michigan Ave and N. Jackson St. Extras should report to this location at 12:00 PM and be prepared to sign an actor agreement before the shoot.

This trailer for an independent feature film being shot in and around Jackson, Michigan, is the first step forward from a new local film production company that intends to shoot at least one independent feature-length motion picture every year.

Director-Screenwriter Brian G. Walsh, Producer Amanda Trudell, Director of Photography Brian Greenway, and lead actors Todd Lutz and Mahalia Greenway are all local residents dedicated to making this film a successful first entry towards building an independent filmmaking Mecca in Jackson, Michigan.

Brian G. Walsh and Gary R. Walsh of Walsh Brothers Productions, LLC, plan to recruit as much of their cast and crew as possible from in and around the Jackson, Michigan area.

Brian G. Walsh has been a judge of three international screenwriting competitions, taught screenwriting at the Ann Arbor Senior Center in 2012, and was a Semi-Finalist in Francis Ford Coppola's 2006 Zoetrope International Screenwriting Contest. Walsh is also a two-time Finalist for the Writer's Arc Screenwriting Fellowship, has placed in several other international screenwriting competitions, and authored an article on independent filmmaking in Michigan for Metromode Media in 2007. http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/MIFilmmaking0045.aspx

# # #

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Brian G. Walsh, please email brian@walshbrothersproductions.com

Brian G. Walsh Director, "Walking Apocalypse" http://walkingapocalypsemovie.blogspot.com/

Amanda Trudell named producer of "Walking Apocalypse" trailer

Local filmmaker Amanda Trudell has been chosen to produce the trailer for "Walking Apocalypse.

Amanda's focus has been on documentaries, but she has experience working on narrative fiction films.

Amanda brings skill, organization, dedication, and a commitment to excellence that will greatly enhance this project. We are pleased and proud to have Amanda as our producer.

For a sample of some of Amanda's work, please point your browser to:

www.behance.net/amandatrudell

Production Meeting tomorrow

Mahalia Greenway and I will be hosting a production meeting tomorrow morning with potential new additions to our team.

We are excited at the prospect of two new talented individuals we will be meeting tomorrow whose skill and creativity would greatly enhance our film trailer.

We're also going to be joined briefly by our star, local actor Todd Lutz, for a brief discussion regarding recent developments for the upcoming shoot.

Following the production meeting, I will be meeting a local gentleman with a video production background regarding the use of a vehicle in our trailer shoot scheduled for Sunday, September 15 in downtown Jackson.

Walking Apocalypse Facebook Page

Please visit and like our film's Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/WalkingApocalypseMovie?skip_nax_wizard=true

We're finalizing the shot list, the call sheets and coordinating schedules for the upcoming trailer shoot.

Meanwhile, we are still hosting auditions seeking actors and still looking for additional crew. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a great adventure.

There are roles to fill in this movie that are not going to appear in the trailer, but we're looking even now to fill them, so you are encouraged to contact us if you wish to be involved with this film and with our future films, all expected to be filmed in and around Jackson, Michigan.

To apply, visit the Walsh Brothers Productions site, click "enter" and then "contact:"

http://www.walshbrothersproductions.com/,/p>

Another location scout & more auditions today

The day starts with another location scout.

Director of Photography Brian Greenway and I will be doing a location scout in Parma, Michigan, this morning. We're checking lighting, acoustics and anything else that will impact filming. We'll have the preliminary shot list with us to guide us regarding the scenes shot inside. There are also extensive, beautiful grounds that might be utilized in the feature film if we aren't able to use them in the trailer.

After we're finished with the location scout, it's back to Jackson, where Mahalia Greenway and I will be hosting another round of auditions. It's going to be a very busy day.

Brian G. Walsh -- Director, "Walking Apocalypse"

Rewriting the human genome, is it possible?

The plot of “Walking Apocalypse” has to do with one scientist's blanket approach to rewriting the human genome in order to cure all hereditary disease. A noble endeavor, to be sure, but what follows is all-too-typical of the pattern of real life. Something goes terribly wrong.

With protagonist Nick Candelaria infected by the genome-rewriting process and on the run, he finds that his options are severely limited. This is not something you can check into the local hospital for, and if he notifies the authorities they would quarantine him, cutting off any chance of finding a cure to save his life in time.

But is such a thing as rewriting the human genome possible in real life?

The answer is yes, and it's being done. Europe has approved medicines that will rewrite your DNA to cure genetic disorders. This is different from treating symptoms to alleviate suffering, this is an outright cure – and some of these treatments are becoming available now.

It's exciting to think of a time when the human species will be freed from all genetic disorders, but the danger is in outside interference with this noble effort. In the wrong hands, such a process could be used to cause great harm.

For more, please point your browser to:

http://www.dvice.com/archives/2012/11/europe_approves_1.php

Image courtesy of:

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=31530&picture=structure-of-dna

Brooklyn Exponent Newspaper Front Page Story

We made the front page of the Brooklyn, Michigan Exponent Weekly Newspaper.

This is the link to the Exponent's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brooklyn-Exponent/309085142482833?group_id=0

Paul Broussard chosen for important role in “Walking Apocalypse”

Actor, Entertainer Paul Broussard has been chosen to play the role of Skeet Wilson, the protagonist's partner and best friend.

Paul is a multi-talented creative professional who wears many hats, with experience that includes entertainment sales, promotion, acting, radio advertising production, voice over artist, event hosting, musician, vocalist, music production, restaurant and bar management. We are pleased and proud to have him as a member of our cast.

Todd Lutz chosen as lead actor for "Walking Apocalypse"

After due deliberation, Todd Lutz has been chosen to play the lead role of Nick Candelaria in "Walking Apocalypse."

Todd auditioned last week and made an immediate, pronounced impact reading the lines of our protagonist. Todd has the physical presence, skill and acting ability to make this a truly memorable role.

Todd was previously the lead in a local Jackson, Michigan production of "The King And I," but we don't want him shaving his head for this role. As is, his hair color, length and style is perfect for the lead role in this film. So no head shaving for those of you who enjoyed Todd's turn as the King of Siam.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/jackson/index.ssf/2012/10/todd_lutz_shaving_his_head_for.html

This is exciting news for our production as we had some good auditions for the role, but nobody quite

nailed it in every single way like Todd did.

Keep checking back for more exciting news as we get closer to shooting.

More auditions, locations & vehicles sought

More auditions are scheduled for today, along with an afternoon meeting with potential stunt & fight scene coordinators for the trailer and possibly the feature film.

There may also be a special announcement later today. Please check back with this blog later today for the news.

We're also still setting up location scouts as we approach the tentative shooting dates. We still are in need of a local bar, a warehouse, an apartment living room, and a basement lab.

As for vehicles, we're looking for the use of a Hummer or black Suburban-type SUV, along with a pickup truck and a black van. The owner's of said vehicles may appear as an extra and receive credit in the film for the use of their vehicles.

Regarding auditions: Mahalia Greenway is our expert on auditions and she runs this process while I assist and film the actor to get an impression of them in the role they are reading for.

We like to have people come in without having seen the material they are going to read. The actor has to understand that this is our first film, and we are at ground level as a production entity. All we can offer is credit for now, but we do intend to shoot a feature-length film every year. As we grow, the opportunities will increase and we would love to assemble a core group to work with us on every film.