
You ever have one of those ideas that starts as a casual “Hey, what if…?” and then suddenly you’re knee-deep in production schedules, casting calls, and scouting locations in the middle of nowhere? Yeah, me too.
Back when I was still in Idaho, I pitched a story to a professor at Boise State University who wanted to make a film. He said, “Write a script.” I said, “Okay.” Then I did, because apparently, I respond really well to peer pressure.
The script was For Their Land, a story about a cattle rancher, Randall Mogan, who takes his own life in a desperate attempt to bring his estranged children, Hunter and Candice, back home to take over the family ranch. Problem is, neither of them really wants to return, and they definitely don’t know why their father did what he did. The story is heavy, but it’s also raw, emotional, and drenched in that good old-fashioned family dysfunction we all love watching—because it reminds us our own families aren’t that bad.
Anyway, the professor read it, loved it, and then—plot twist—gave us the money to actually make the thing. Cut to today: I’m in Oklahoma, the cameras are about to roll, and I’ve realized there’s no turning back now.
We’re currently deep in the fun part: casting and location scouting. Oklahoma has an insane amount of talent, so we’re pulling from the local acting pool for many of the roles, but we’re also trying to bring in some name talent for the lead. (No, I can’t say who yet because we are still trying to get them but trust me, it’s exciting. Or at least, I’m excited.)
If all goes well, we’ll start filming this late spring, and I’ll be keeping you updated along the way. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected hiccups, and at least one instance of me panicking over something completely avoidable.
Stay tuned. This is gonna be a good one.
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