Yet another example of what great talent and creativity can be found right here locally! October 30th began as a twisted dream of its writer and director Ryan Byrne. Having grown up as a fanatic of the horror movies produced in the 70s, 80s and 90s, Ryan longed to one day create his own unique entry in the storied tradition.
After gaining experience with the mainstream media route, Ryan decided that the only way he would be able to bring his vision to life would be to produce a film independently. In the winter of 2012, he secluded and tortured himself into bringing forth the culmination of his years of impassioned research. The result was the first draft of the original screenplay October 30th: All Hallows Eve. Written as the seminal entry in a trilogy, Ryan had produced a story which would blur the lines between cinema and reality, and laid the groundwork for a brand new saga of terror in the dark north.
After seeking out experienced actors and collaborators to assist in editing and reworking the script, including Anne-Marie Caicco and Mandi Knight, Ryan’s next step was to put together his production team and seek out funding for the independent film. The first two team members would become the integral core of the project: the brilliant Julie Hryniewicz, who took on the role of producer, and the ambitious savant Zack Trunzo, who became the director of photography. Between the three of them they canvassed the city and drew support from more than 4 dozen volunteers including a cast of 22 local actors. With assistance from local businesses and generous contributors the team managed to raise $9,000 with which to shoot a full feature-length film. To describe the project as ambitious is a significant understatement.
Regardless, the production moved forward and principal photography took place over 25 days (21 continuous, with a 2 day break for Thanksgiving) on location at Echo Lake. For the months of September and October the cast and crew rented the Echo Lake Cabin as their headquarters and filmed in Ryan’s parents cottage, VanderMolen Cottage, and at various points along the coast and roads surrounding Echo Lake. With the raw beauty of the fall foliage providing a natural backdrop, and with a surprisingly cooperative run of fair weather, the crew overcame every obstacle they were faced with and managed to bring the project to completion on-time and on-budget. While exhausted from the days and nights of shooting, frequently lasting more than 12 hours at a time and not ending until 4am, the crew was able to leave happily, satisfied that they had all the footage they needed to bring the film to life.
Since October, the film has been in post-production in the modest studio of Absolute Complete Entertainment Incorporated. Continuing in their previous fashion, the team has relied exclusively on local volunteer talent to handle every facet of production, from special effects and animation to audio mastering and scoring. It will truly be a film produced entirely by the talent of Northern Ontario. The goal of the October 30th team is to submit the film to festivals in the summer of 2014.
Synopsis
The first entry in a trilogy, October 30th: All Hallows Eve is a psychological thriller which pays homage to the horror and slasher films of the 1980s while bringing a fresh perspective on the nature of evil and the motivation which drives people to murder. The film opens in 1988 and depicts a Pagan family terrorized by their tyrannical patriarch Harry Pearl. Shifting to the present day, the action then follows Ethan Pearl as he leads an amateur film crew through his secluded childhood home, in an attempt to produce an independent horror movie under his father’s watchful eye. As mysterious events begin to transpire, and cast members start disappearing, the crew realize that the line between fiction and reality is quickly becoming blurred. If they are to survive they must attempt to uncover the Pearl family’s most powerful and ominous secret: the nature of the fabled Lady In White.
For more information you can visit the website at www.october30thfilm.com as well as follow on Facebook here.
Partial Credits
ABSOLUTE COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Presents
A Film by
RYAN BYRNE
In Association with
FUDGESICLE FILMS
Directed by
RYAN BYRNE
ARIELLA ARBUS ADRIAN GABRYLEWICZ
Written by RYAN BYRNE
Produced by BRENDAN GARLICK
Executive Producers CLINT BYRNE
BONNIE BYRNE
JULIE HRYNIEWICZ
RYAN BYRNE
Director of Photography ZACK TRUNZO
Edited by COLTON MYERS
Production Designer MANDI KNIGHT
Costume Designer KRISTY EPP-MEAROW
Music by AARON ALESSANDRINI
Music Supervisor CHRIS GRAMOLA
Casting by ANNE-MARIE CAICCO
RYAN BYRNE
And introducing
First Assistant Director BRENDAN GARLICK
Second Assistant Director MARC JAMES LAPORTE
Co-Executive Producers NANCY TRUNZO
FRANK TRUNZO
CAST
Jade ARIELLA ARBUS
Harry ADRIAN GABRYLEWICZ
Ethan RYAN BYRNE
Heather MARIE-JOSEE DIONNE
OCTOBER 30TH
Gene KEN REID
Sally ANNE-MARIE CAICCO
Molly ANN SARICH
Young Ethan AIDAN BASS
Young Jacob RODNEY JR WILCOX
Milton STEVEN SKEGGS
Sarah CATHERINE-RAIN WILCOX
Jacob DYLAN COOK
Sheilah MIKAELA FYFE
Mr. Campbell MARK FISHER
Katelyn SAMANTHA JADE PALMER
Cody RYAN BIOCCHI
Emily KARLY MULLIN
Eva EMILY JEAN
Eli ELIE GERMEIL
Steven JEFF BYRNE
Child ARIEL LOWE
Old Man DOUG HOOK
CREW
Production Supervisor JULIE HRYNIEWICZ
Script Supervisor MANDI KNIGHT
Set Decorator SANDY KNIGHT
On Set Dresser MANDI KNIGHT
Camera Operator ZACK TRUNZO
1st Assistant “A” Camera MARC JAMES LAPORTE
DIT Technician BRENDAN GARLICK
Still Photography by ALYSSA EDDY
Best Boy Electric BRENDAN GARLICK
Key Grip CHAD EDGAR
Grip MARK BOYCHUK
Grip Assistant EMILY SOPHIE EDGAR
Makeup Department Head KATHRYN PERRY
Key Makeup Assistant MIKAELA FYFE
Makeup Assistants BRANDI LOWE
ARIEL LOWE
TAYLOR MCMILLAN
Hair Department Head EMILY JEAN
Hair Colourists and Service MANE STREET SALON & SPA
Wardrobe Supervisor KRISTY EPP-MEAROW
Key Set Costumer MANDI KNIGHT
