Playback Magazine Mention

Playback magazine About Production, Broadcasting and Interactive Media in Canada mentioned the film 'Search Dog's Raven', production dates, locations and 'Candle Films' in their May 23, 2005 Issue and their Internet 'In Production List'

Internet Movie Data Base Listing

I am very pleased, but also surprised that the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB.com) listed my first filmmaking effort 'Search Dog's Raven' SearchDogsRaven.com

But then I'm still amazed at the amount of support we’re receiving for the film, despite none of the cast or crew names being recognized in the IMDB. Ebbey may be the only exception. She's the canine actor who plays the lead wilderness search dog in the film, and seems to be building quite a fan base.

I think it's pretty rare for the IMDB to list an independent production before it's been in a film festival. Let alone while it’s still in production like Search Dog's Raven. And who can blame them. Now with digital video so accessible, upwards of 50,000 films go into production every year and maybe 20,000 are ever finished. Maybe seven to ten percent of those are shown in film festivals and just a few hundred are released theatrically. Those are incredibly high odds against any new film.

I’m also surprised at the IMDB listing because their registration processors didn't believe that this kind of film could be made with a budget under two million.

Left Over Film Stock Demand

Three companies have now called to buy our left over film stock. I had no idea there was such a demand.

Improvising After Equipment Damaged

While transporting our three big film lights and scaffolding, from Prince George to Calgary, a friend dodged a deer and ended up in the ditch. Our light scaffolding structure was badly damaged, but all three lights and their pricey glass lenses survived the accident and two day stay in the garage unscathed. With the scaffolding damaged, we bought articulating ladders which worked quite well to hang each light from. Each ladder was also secured to wall studs.

Kwad Actor uses a Camelbak

Just a week before filming quadriplegic actor 'Marcus Ross', who plays search backup liaison 'Jesse' in the film 'Search Dog's Raven', I discovered Marcus uses a Camelbak 'Unbottle' for drinking water. Unbottles are common wheelchair accessories allowing easier access to drinking water and I wanted to include a Camelbak drinking system in the film.

Producer Lynn Wood contacted Camelbak's Global Marketing Manager Lea Morrison who graciously allowed Candle Films to show Marcus Ross drinking from the Unbottle in the film. Though there are only one to two shots where Marcus drinks water and under ten shots where the Unbottle is noticeable as a background prop on the back of his wheelchair, it's essential to have permission for every product placement.

I am incredibly grateful for all the support we've received for Search Dog's Raven. It's amazing that so many well known brands would be willing to give us a product placement. Everyone seems to love the film’s concept.

Other product placements in the film include: Columbia River Knives, Dickies Boots, Doggles Dog Sunglasses, Eurocopter, Hirobo Models, Quickie Wheelchairs, Kong Bonaiti Carabiners, Kong Company Dog Toys, Manfrotto Tripods, Mr. Goodbar, Neopaw Dog Booties, Silva Compasses, SnowClaw Shovels, Solarshield Sunglasses, Thermos, Vestas Wind Turbines, Winsor & Newton Art Supplies and Yule-Hyde Bird feeders.

Allex

Hollywood Reporter Attention

Getting a small mention in the May 17, 2005 weekly issue of The Hollywood Reporter: Hollywood's Premier Trade Publication for the Film Industry, really made my day. I haven't got my copy yet, but apparently they talk about production dates, locations and the Producer 'Candle Films'.

Now every week seems to get busier and give me more hope that 'Search Dog's Raven will be a success!

Allex

Ebbey Revisits the Banff Gondola

In order to reorient myself to the scenery, Ebbey (Ebbey.com) and I went to the Banff Gondola as tourists. The Banff Gondola summit and surrounding area is one of the locations in the upcoming film 'Search Dog's Raven'.

Ebbey was reluctant to get on the gondola car again, but allowed me to pull her inside. The other visitors went wild over Ebbey, asking to have their photo taken with the dog and petting her. It was wild considering none of them yet knows that Ebbey is in a film.