Behind the Fan-Film: Jason Beware 2

Now that Jason Beware 2 has been out in the wild for a few months I figured I would offer a little behind the scenes look at how this fun project came together.

Back when we created the first video for Jason Beware we had no idea what we were doing. We went to a park, dressed up as some creepy characters and did a couple shots on an iPhone. I think the idea was originally just to do a photography session with the kids dressed up but it kind of turned into it’s own thing and we made a very short movie with no lines and really no plot.

A year went by and my son asked if we were ever going to do another movie and I said “absolutely!” So we got to work on the sequel. I had an idea of how we could make the sequel really a prequel that tied into the first movie so I got to work writing the script. Before I knew it, I had written a nice draft that actually could work with our zero budget, non-technical skill, and amateur child actors. By April 2021 I had the script finished and started planning the production, however there was just one issue. I had 1 extra role than I had actors and that’s when I thought of a cool idea. Secure a popular actor or celebrity to perform this extra role. It was a voice only role, so I figured it could possibly be easier for someone to lend their voice than it would be to schedule them to be on set. So I started my search.

I began my search by just reaching out the easiest way possible, social media. So I crafted a message that I could send to various people with the hope of getting someone to reply and hopefully join our cast. I must have sent out a dozen or so messages to different voice actors, screen actors, YouTube stars, and more. I casted a wide net and I wasn’t very confident that I would even get a reply, and I was right.

A little bit after my contact blitz I learned about a website called Cameo. On this website there are dozens upon dozens of celebrities that will send you a video message for a fee. I thought, maybe this is how I can make this happen. So I got myself a budget of $20 and found who I thought would be an amazing additional to the cast, George Hardy from Troll 2. His Cameo was only $20 and it looked like he was pretty responsive to previous orders, so I figured why not, let’s try it out. I will admit, I was very disappointed in Cameo’s interface, you are very limited in what you can send to the actor. You only get so many characters to type out what you want. So I had to convey a message of what I am trying to do, as well as send him the script, all in under 150 characters. I figured this wasn’t going to go well, but I got to try for the sake of the fan-film. I trimmed as much from the lines I needed as possible and sent the message. The next day George Hardy sent his Cameo, and it was nothing like what I thought we would get. What I was sent though, is still amazing and something that we will cherish forever.

@dadstl

It’s George Hardy from Troll 2! I reached out via #cameo to see if he would do a part for our Friday the 13th fan-film Jason Beware 2! #excellence

♬ original sound – dadSTL

Now a month after the script had been finish I was dead set on making this happen. At this point I got the bright idea to start reaching out to former Friday the 13th actors, writers, and directors. First I started with some of the actors like Adrienne King, Derek Mears, Warrington Gillette, and several others. I never got a response from anyone and I was feeling a bit defeated until I tried one more, Victor Miller. He was the screenwriter for the original movie and I had read that he had also done some voice work. So I reached out and not even 20 minutes later I had a reply! Mr. Miller agreed to help with our fan-film. So I sent over the small part and by the end of the day Victor had already recorded and sent his part back to me!

After three months of searching for an actor for this very small role. We were finally ready to make this movie happen.

Everything really started to come together once that piece of the puzzle was found. I gathered up props and did some scouting for a nice creepy shooting location and made a plan for it all to happen. Luckily for me, my other actors and actresses had been practicing their lines this whole time. So when the time finally came for a table read, they were ready!

Because of how organized I was with everything, and how prepared the kids were, we only had two days of shooting! The kids did great, from the acting, to helping with set design, handling clapsticks, props, and other behind-the-scenes stuff, I am very proud of them all and the work they put into the movie.

Editing took a bit longer to finish up. I knew I would need some sound design for post-production, so I reached out to my cousin to see if his aspiring beat making son would like to produce some scary music for the fan-film. I wanted to create some creepy tunes as well to really round out this production.

After about a month in the editing bay, things were looking good and I could see a target goal of August 13th, 2021 for a release date. It was going to be Friday the 13th after all. With the final things left to do being designing the movie poster and planning a premier party, I would say things were just rolling right along.

Our party was a success and the fan-film has been getting some views. We are all extremely proud of the work we all put into making this and we all honestly cannot wait to make another. My wife and I even decided to get little Oscar awards to give to the kids for things like best actor, best death, etc. They loved getting them and also enjoyed the goodie bags with fake weapons, Jason mask, and candy!

It’s crazy that even a small project like this can take months to come together, and then when it finally does, it is amazing. This crazy cast of characters are sure to make you laugh and probably wince a little too. Our movie is creepy yet funny and definitely worth the watch.

So please, enjoy our Friday the 13th fan-film, and also be sure to like and subscribe to our Facebook page for Jason Beware, the kids love seeing the views go up, likes, shares, and comments! Anyways, without further ado, may I present, Jason Beware 2: The Origin.

Richie’s Bone Chilling October Home Horror Daily Double Feature!

This month my wife and I always watch as many scary movies as we can. This week is a special week as we are watching a different horror original and a remake each night. I have been sharing some of the horror movies we have been watching on social media, but why not share them here too!

For the first weekend in October we decided to start a Stephen King marathon! As we made our way through the weekend we watched Cat’s Eye, Carrie, Salem’s Lot, The Shining, Children of the Corn, Maximum Overdrive, Firestarter, and finally, Tales from the Darkside. I am sure we will sneak in a few more of King’s tales before the month is over but for now, we are on to double features!

We kicked off our Double Feature week with The Omen from 1976 and 2006. A perfect introduction into an original/remake double feature week.

Next up is Night of the Demons from 1989 and 2009. We think the original is hilarious and the remake does provide a bit more of a back story and an interesting take on the Angela character. We loved the pink ballerina cameo in the remake! It was a perfect call back to the original character.

The Last House on The Left 1972 and 2009. Both of these movies just creep me out big time. Home intrusions are pretty freaking scary.

The original Dawn of The Dead (1978) is the first zombie movie I have gotten my son to watch. It doesn’t have much gore in it at all, and the music really makes it all that more entertaining. James Gunn and Zack Synder did a complete 180 with the remake, leaving me on the edge of my seat during the entire flick… and the clips during the credits… no, no, no, no!

The Hills Have Eyes is this weird but absolutely horrific story that has only improved as time as passed. Both the original and the remake are worth a viewing every spooky season.

Terrifying from start to finish. As a kid, Candyman was the one name you never said alone or during a sleepover. The original and the remake are fantastic horror movies.

Evil Dead. What else could be said about this masterpiece of horror. Watch it and love it and stay tuned for more horror movie watch lists during Richie’s Bone Chilling October Home Horror Daily Double Feature!

Snake Eyes Now Available on Digital!

Like many sneaky ninjas, Snake Eyes, has surprised all as his movie has come out of the shadows and will be available on digital and VOD platforms earlier than most expected. Paramount Pictures has announced that starting Aug. 17, consumers can get early access to Snake Eyes via digital and VOD.

Snake Eyes is a G.I. Joe franchise origin story that released exclusively in theaters on July 23.

Paramount Home Entertainment sent over a great promotional kit to help announce the release of this action packed movie! Be sure to grab the popcorn and the family for an origin story you never knew you needed!

WIN A DIGITAL COPY OF SNAKE EYES!

If you are on a budget this summer, well you are in luck as I have one digital code available for one lucky commenter! Just comment below with who you think deserves the next origin story from the G.I. Joe franchise! On August 31st I will randomly select a winner, so be sure to use an updated email address!

This post is sponsored by Paramount Home Entertainment, check out Paramount+ today!

Lights! Camera! ACTION!

That’s right! Filming has started on the newest short-film coming from St. Louis Dad and his tiny cast and crew. This time we are picking up where Jason Beware ended. It will be our first sequel/prequel film with the premise being it starts off where the first Jason Beware ended and then quickly sends the audience back in time to learn the true beginnings of this new generation of horror.

The film is filled with an all-child cast except for one highly notable name that will be announced soon! The kids are doing everything from acting to working as the crew behind the scenes with help from myself and my amazing wife. The sequel had been in the pre-production stages for a few months before we finally got everything in place for production to begin this past weekend. We will be shooting on an iPhone and in 4K HD, and editing in Sony Vegas! We also have a sound engineers working on an absolutely spectacular sound design for this fan-film. We plan to premier later this summer for free on YouTube. Be on the lookout for more news, clips, and more for Jason Beware 2!

We shall see how everything comes together over the next few weeks of principal filming. Then it will be onto post-production where we edit it all together, put some sounds to add some depth, and of course the special effects!

Wish us luck!!!

Jason Beware 2 is being produced by Missouri Mobile Productions and is starring Alex Williams reprising his role as the deranged serial killer Jason! Abby Williams will be playing a new character Investigator Annie Summers, and of course we have plenty of supporting roles that will be announced very soon! Check out the original Jason Beware fan-film to see where it all started! I am super proud of these kids. They are working hard memorizing their lines and helping getting the sets ready to go.