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A cannibal, a political prisoner, a religious zealout, and a lone law enforcement officer battle for freedom and survival in the latest S&N Films action/sci-fi thriller, P R I S O N E R 8 4 7. This short is the first film produced in the new studio. Making full use of the latest in digital non-linear editing power, this explosive journey takes the audience through a miriad of exciting action sequences and special effects. |
Following the crash, the survivors are attacked by bugs, trapped in a cave, and nearly drowned. The cave that was used in the film was another trashbag creation on a sound stage. The cave creatures were also made from the same material and the heads were cardboard wrapped in plastic. When this sequence was filmed, the weather was nearly 90-degrees with 85% humidity. Special thanks go to Dena Dietrick, Steve Niles, and David Errickson for persevering under the extreme conditions. The underwater sequence was filmed using a patented S&N Films production technique. And no, the camera is NOT waterproof!
An amusing annecdote about the final fight between Khoram and Galavan is that 75% of the fight was filmed without a camera man. Kevin and Steve grabbed their equipment and adjourned to a quiet park to do battle, taking turns filming when possible.
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The crash sequence was accomplished using a mix of live footage from a moving vehicle and Terragen to generate the scenery, and Simply 3D for the models of the Erasmus. The hanger of the Erasmus wreckage was filmed entirely against a blue screen, and again the live actors were composited on 3D images generated using Simply 3D. This sequence leads into the final battle for the landing craft. The 'plasma batons' (not to be confused with George Lucas's light sabers), were actually lengths of PVC pipes carefully disguised using a trade secret known as rotoscoping. While Hollywood has assigned a special name to the process, it essentially painting. Keep in mind that there are 29.97 frames/second (NTSC Standard). For the 40-minute movie, the plasma charge for the batons was drawn on over 6,000 frames! The laser beams and explosions were applied in a similar manner. |
Maynard Galavan | Steven Niles | Directed by | Steven Niles |
Isladek Khoram | Kevin Spotts |
Produced by: | Kevin Spotts |
Jolie Bedford | Kim Smitheman | Written by: | Steven Niles |
Luscious | Greg Niles | Kevin Spotts | |
Commander Briggard | Andy LaRue | Post Production: | Kevin Spotts |
Captain Dvorsiak | David Nosagrav | Music: | SLoS |
Judge | Dave Errickson |
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Nurse | Robin Niles | ||
Alpha-18 Crew | Dena Dietrick | ||
| Kyle LaRue |
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Erasmus Guards | Kevin Spotts | ||
| Steve Niles | |||
Cave Creatures | Steve Niles | ||
| Dena Dietrick | |||
| David Errickson | |||
Approximate running time 40 minutes.
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In the depths of space, something is about to go wrong on a routine mission. A prisoner transport vessel isn't going to arrive at its destination. The passengers on board have other plans...
The full spectrum of the Eastern Pennsylvania climate took its toll on the actors, especially at the end of the underwater sequence. The sequence where Galavan and Bedford emerge from the water was filmed in the winter time, and it was estimated that the water was a blamy 35-degrees, and winds were blowing from the south east at nearly 15 mph. Hypothermia was a very real threat during this segment.
After the prisoners escape from their cells, they attempt to seize control of the transport vessel. The wide shots of the cell block were generated using Micrografx Simply 3D. These shots were composited with the live actors in front of a blue screen in post production.