The Missouri Strain

[WesX]

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Hello to the DVXuser community.

My name is Wes. I'm an official director in the Director's Guild of America. I currently work in television but am starting to realize film is the way I want to go.

I've been a member of the forums for over a year but never really got involved in any discussions. I've been following a couple of the user films, like Marlon's film "The Jones" and Faith's "Deuce of Spades". I really got inspired from the work they were doing and decided it was either time to get to work on a film or die trying.

I had a great little short film script dropped into my lap called The Missouri Strain from a guy who is involved with the Writer's Guild of America. Great guy with great writing ability. His name is Ryan McLaughlin.

Normally I would say this project wouldn't be for me since it's a cross between a Drama and a SCI-FI film but it sounded like fun. Here is a synopsis of the film:

Missouri Strain is a short film with a story about a small family trying to escape a fast-acting virus sweeping across the planet that instantly mutates people into flesh-eating zombies. The virus spreads so rapidly that the family has very little options to escape. They turn to their last resort and enter into the deep east coast forest hoping they will be safe. The film focuses much more on the emotions of the family and the impact it has on them rather than the impact of the virus and zombies.

Not to take anything away from Marlon's film, this is just a different spin on the whole zombie thing.

Here is the final one-sheet poster version B:


Here is the NEW final one-sheet sheet poster:


Here are the one-sheet teaser posters:



Here is the original teaser poster:


I had an open casting call last week and I was able to lock in some great non-union actors/actresses with some great experience under their belts. They are:


Frederick Cowie


Olivia Szego


Nadia Williams


Douglas Adams


Ryan Marshall


I have been campaigning on IndieGoGo to try and help raise funds to rent the equipment necessary to fund the project. That can be found below:
http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Missouri-Strain

It is a low budget film with lots of potential. Through a friend of a friend I was able to lock in the rental of a RED ONE camera for the shoot. Most of the funds raised will be going for that. Some of the other funds will go for props, wardrobe, makeup, etc.

I'm really hoping I can get people involved. Even if it's just to share the film with others.

My website is:
http://www.weskopictures.com

I am also on facebook, myspace, and twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/weskopictures
http://www.facebook.com/missouristrain
http://www.myspace.com/weskopictures
http://www.myspace.com/missouristrain
http://www.twitter.com/weskopictures
http://www.twitter.com/missouristrain

Please feel free to check it all out and I hope that I can make something that catches people's interest.

[dre83]

"28 days later" :-p But seen from another view ?

[WesX]

"28 days later" :-p But seen from another view ?

Sort of like 28 days later. Less zombies though. More emotion from the main characters as the family struggles to stay alive.

[dre83]

1 day later ? :-p

[WesX]

1 day later ? :-p

LOL. Maybe more of a mix between I Am Legend and 28 Days Later.

[J Davis]

I wish you the best of luck Wes but I would be remiss in my duties as a fellow filmmaker if I did not point out that this sounds identical to the original comic book series The Walking Dead which won Eisner awards for its story that concentrates on the personalities, emotions and arcs of a family surviving in the face of a zombie apocalypse. The graphic novel series started in 2003 and the TV series has started as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead

[WesX]

I wish you the best of luck Wes but I would be remiss in my duties as a fellow filmmaker if I did not point out that this sounds identical to the original comic book series The Walking Dead which won Eisner awards for its story that concentrates on the personalities, emotions and arcs of a family surviving in the face of a zombie apocalypse. The graphic novel series started in 2003 and the TV series has started as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead

Thanks so much! Unfortunately, I've never even heard of The Walking Dead up until now. I've seen other programs on AMC and never realized what The Walking Dead was about. That's a strange coincidence. I don't know how well the TV show does in the ratings so I won't know how many people will notice the similarities. Hopefully I can make it different or better than the series currently airing now.

[Marlon Ladd]

Can't wait to check it out, Wes! It sounds cool and interesting. I think "The Walking Dead" has been so successful, because it's also a different take. That's why I like it. It's not the typical run from zombies and see how you can get away kind of thing.

[WesX]

Can't wait to check it out, Wes! It sounds cool and interesting. I think "The Walking Dead" has been so successful, because it's also a different take. That's why I like it. It's not the typical run from zombies and see how you can get away kind of thing.

Thanks Marlon! Your work has definitely helped motivate me to get to work on stuff.

I can't wait to see your film when it's completely done. Everything I've seen from it has been beautiful and badass.

[WesX]

First officially released picture from The Missouri Strain.