Donnybrook Production Services

In a year that’s witnessed such professional escapades as holing up in a centuries old ‘Church’ to brave the winter, camping out with zero ‘Remorse’ on a vast colonial estate to enjoy the lazy days of summer, and setworking (oh yeah, it’s a thing) with such silver screen sirens as Ashley C. Williams, Lili Bordan, and Katrina Law, deciding on an encore is no easy feat.  But I suppose shipping out to the Potomac-panhandle town of Harpers Ferry, WV is as good a follow-up as any.

That’s where the karmic tides of Donnybrook Productions saw fit to take me for my latest production foray, to UPM the ‘World Wars’ mini-series for History Channel.  So I strapped the ol’ mountain bike to my truck, and in true Clampett-like fashion packed up a few production necessities and joined my friend and Producer colleague Brian David Cange & Co.  In this instance, the aforementioned ‘co’ is represented by PoC Adam Schoon, his trusty sidekick Trish McMiniment, the tireless AD tandem of Hall & McGarry, and Locations phenom John Galloway, all of whom represent long time collaborative partners in crime.

With a story line that spans both WWI & WWII, the production logistics have been challenging.  Jimmys, tanks, troop carriers, and the occasional horse chase sequence with Poncho Villa’s revolutionaries have ensured that the gig remains a whirlwind of production-centric merriment daily.  But being the workaholic type, and a glutton for productionment (I mean punishment), I probably wouldn’t have it any other way.  Being en’trenched’ in work has taken on a whole new meaning…bah duhmm bump!!

A few important shout outs are fully warranted here, since I have found fast allies in both Peacemaker National Training Center and the Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles.  And the fine fella’s over at Sunbelt Rentals have been terrific as well.  All in all the project amassed a fantastic crew, and it’s been a lot of fun…and now I’ll have my own war stories to tell for many years to come, I’m sure!

So it’s looking like I’ll be traversing to the north end of the NJ Turnpike once again.  As of next week, I’ll be coming on board in a more official and full-time capacity as the UPM for the NYC-based Crook Brothers Productions.  I’ve been involved with the sibling duo behind CBP since wrapping the indie feature “Backwards” in October, when Line Producer Brian David Cange introduced me to Jeff & Josh Crook.  The Crook Bro’s, in tandem with Animation Collective, have been gearing up to get two shows into principal production since late summer, when a sizzler for their kid’s TV concept “Black Dawn” was picked up by FremantleMedia.  As it stands, I’ll be grabbing the production reins of their second kid’s concept, “Team Toon”.

The Cartoon Network bound ‘Toon’ is an amalgamated live action/animation concept that follows the scholastic-set adventures of a foursome of middle-schoolers, as they engage in daily adventures.  The show will pepper in contemporary, tech-infused components for a demographic of kids that are all too well versed in the digital arena.

The show’s principal filming location, and main production headquarters, will be in the small shore town of Lindenhurst, NY…just 30 or so minutes south of the Hamptons.  We’ll be bouncing back and forth between Long Island and the outer boroughs of NYC, as key supplemental locations have also been secured in the Brooklyn-based hoods of Greenpoint, Cobble Hill, and Park Slope.  So it looks like the chilly winter months will find me at the North end of the Turnpike…i’ll have to learn to circumnavigate those pesky Met’s fans!

There’s something to be said for a gig that solidifies nearly two straight months of steady work…long live feature film opp’s!  However, I’m finding a number of fringe benefits to my current run as the UPM on “Backwards”, in addition to the welcomed financial stability.  Chief among those benefits has been a privileged glance behind the curtain of Philly’s very own Boathouse Row.

With more than a week’s worth of production along Kelly Drive, and pit stops at the Waterworks and Philadelphia Art Museum, we’ve set up camp in Vesper Boat Club…one of the more prominent rowing clubs along the waterfront stretch that is Boathouse Row.  Surrounded daily by more than a century’s worth of history, it’s been a humbling experience to say the least.  And the funny thing is, I’m one (of many, I’m sure) that’s come to take this world-famous strip of Philly real estate for granted.  I’ve driven, peddled, and even strolled past these houses countless times over the years, all the while largely oblivious to the daily goings on taking place on their docks.  It’s been fun to gain such all access status to such a historic location, and i’ll never look at this section of the Schuylkill the same way again.

In fairness, working for weeks on end with the talented crew and cast has been a noteworthy fringe benefit as well.  Director Ben Hickernell and I have been pals for years, so working with him was bound to be fun.  The film does, however, mark my first teaming with Line Producer Brian David Cange, and only my second with 1st AD Michael DelPolito…both of whom I look forward to subsequent collaborations with for sure.

With wrap looming ever closer, it will be equal parts refreshing to get some much needed R&R, yet a bit of a bummer to part ways with the crew…bittersweet.

Well, it’s seeming pretty official…local Director Ben Hickernell will be helming this summer’s Philly-based indie film “Backwards”, which is set to commence principal photography sometime in mid-July.  Written & Produced by Sarah Megan Thomas, and Line Produced by Brian David Cange, “Backwards” is a dramedy focused on an Olympic-hopeful rower who’s faced with  a few 30-something life decisions that leave her at an emotional crossroads.  Thomas will also play the lead role of Abi Brooks, in addition to producing.

As it stands, I’ll be joining Mr. Hickernell as well this summer in the role of UPM for the film.  I’m looking forward to yet another chance to team with Ben, as we’ve developed a long-standing relationship of successful collaborations over the years.  It’s good to see another indie select Philly as their backdrop of choice, as the CoBL will be featured pretty heavily in the film.