Tater Tot & Patton

Intimate Settings on the Prairie

In this movie, the prairie really serves as a character in the film.

We were very lucky to have doors opened for us and private land offered to us because of personal connections that allowed us to film on very remote ranches, well outside of population centers.

This gave the movie an authenticity that can't be captured otherwise.

The farmhouse that serves as the main location was provided by a family we had a connection to, and they allowed us to be in the place for two months and completely dress it however we liked.

A Day Without Sound

Around midday one day, the DIT came to me to give me bad news. He was panicked. We didn’t have yesterday’s sound files. He couldn’t find them anywhere. We talked with sound and the sound crew didn’t have the backups. We had a full day where sound was missing.

It was a punch in the gut.

My coproducers and I put our heads together and came to the same conclusion…there was nothing we could do.

We assured everyone it was ok. That we’d handle it. And reminded everyone that at least we have the footage so we can ADR whatever we need. Which is exactly what we did.

Our ADR budget went up, but at least we were able to make the day work in the final movie.

A Real Community Project

This movie was a real community project. Leroy, our character named “Stuntman” is a guy from the community that we know. He’s helped us on multiple other projects behind the camera and has always been a supporter.

We had locations opened for us and the community really came out for our 4th of July party where we filled the ranch with locals that were supportive as we prepped for the project.

The community support on this project was phenomenal.

Rattlesnake Haylactica

One thing we have to contend with when filming on the prairie in South Dakota is rattlesnakes.

They sit in the sun, hide under rocks, and pop up when they're least expected.

This movie was no different. Thankfully, we had a snake wrangler available to us. A local in the community whose side gig is wrangling snakes for people who have a snake problem.

There was this fantastic shot where we were near a haystack… our actors Jessica Rothe and Bates Wilder were supposed to be sitting against or standing on the hay.

As Andrew Kightlinger, the director, gave them direction for rehearsal, everyone heard a telltale rattle.

Our snake wrangler Ben was called out and ended up finding a rattlesnake den under the haystack. He cleared the place and we shot the scene. But not without and adrenaline rush to get it started.

As Andrew Kightlinger, the director, gave them direction for rehearsal, everyone heard a telltale rattle.

Our snake wrangler Ben was called out and ended up finding a rattlesnake den under the haystack. He cleared the place and we shot the scene. But not without and adrenaline rush to get it started.