How Could Christians Have Made Final Destination: Bloodlines?

I saw Final Destination: Bloodlines in the theater a few weeks ago with a friend. It was very suspenseful, knowing the formula that Death stalks characters with Rube Goldberg-style, gory deaths; but constant twists and mystery created tons of suspense. The gore was shocking, but I enjoyed the movie overall. Before you watch it, read this review from MovieGuide, for guidelines on language, violence, one blasphemy and over a dozen f-bombs: 

Throughout the movie, I kept wondering; How could I as a filmmaker who claims to be a Christian have made this, and how would I have guided the story and its presentation differently? 

First of all, I have a pet peeve when a movie depicts characters facing life-and-death and no character even acknowledges God or mentions spiritual things or wonders what happens after death. This seems entirely unrealistic and inauthentic to me. Although, I suppose the Erik character is a blatant atheist, denying or defying fate or death. For starters, I would have at least one character represent some sort of faith or spiritual worldview, to contrast with the others. Then, I would consider comparing the devious, conniving, clever Death character with Death that’s personified in Revelation 6:8 who’s given temporary, limited authority to kill, but then meets its own death in the lake of fire in Revelation 20:14. Instead of making Death a final authority over who lives and dies with a certain chronological fatalism, I would allow at least one character to claim the authority that Jesus gives Believers in John 14:12 to do greater works than He did on earth. But, realistically, we all face the first death on a long enough timeline, unless the Lord returns first.

At the end, I remembered a story that I’d read about the first Final Destination movie, where characters live at the end and the test screening audience wasn’t satisfied because of genre expectations. Years later, I was influenced by that story to rewrite the ending of Prey for Mason (preyformason.com). 

Sadly, “Whatever’s happened in the last 14 years, people have become incredibly bloodthirsty and just wanted way, way, way, way more gore than they did before.” So, I don’t really know how I’d make a Final Destination movie, but the deaths would likely be more implied, there’d be a Biblical worldview for contrast, and there’d be no blasphemy and no gore titillation and I usually can’t see an argument for any f-bombs, although they're ubiquitous IRL.

Juggling a New Ball that's Not So New!

Now that the extreme push for Vengaence Trail's theatrical premiere is over, not that there aren't tons to do to continue to promote it, another project in development has percolated to the top, again. 

PREY FOR MASON is a teen thriller feature that Brandon Riley and I have been developing for years. A year ago, we signed with LOOR.TV and last September I shot a proof-of-concept short version called "Pray v Prey." Yesterday, a teaser for "Pray v Prey" launched on LOOR TV to earn finishing funds.

LOOR TV is a gamified, streaming and crowdfunding technology for non-woke movies. They are the punk rock of faith-adjacent indie film, something I call Edgy Faith. The creators at Loor are somewhat anarchistic and nomadic, film producers without a home. Subscribers exchange their cash for Loot and choose which projects rise to the top. The quality is excellent!

As you can see from a cast and crew clip from set, we had a lot of fun making it. 

And, as you can see from the table read, those actors loved the feature film screenplay.

Ian Max

WORLDWIDE THEATRICAL PREMIERE DAY!

April 23 was a banner day. Check out the photos from the Red Carpet.

And credit where credit is due:

• Judi Stiner Gray helped me plaster the Memphis with posters and set up the event.
• TB Oatis helped with cash sales at the door.
• JC (Joseph Miller) played magnificent cello - support him @jaycello.
• Lawrence Evans brought his photography crew.
• Ty Stinson shot BTS video.
• Anfra Boyd hosted the Q&A live on The YAMS Show.
• K Toomer a.k.a. Fat Jitsu printed the t-shirts.
• 901 Print Shop printed the posters and Bingo cards.
• Stickers & Banners printed the banner.
• LaDell Beaman of Heal the Hood Foundation loaned me his banner stands.
• Malco Cordova presented the movie in glorious picture and sound.

And here's the banner. Follow the QR code to see what all the images are about:

What did I learn?

• Ask for help. Memphians are generous people.
• Form a brainstorm group of people who have host film events, to learn what I don't know.
• Anticipate people leaving before the credits finish, and get their exit interviews on video.
• Consistency. One event is a loss leader. Many events and movies is a career.

What did I do right?

• I made sure everyone had fun. 
• I gave the star actor/producer, Keven Russell McCaulley & wife Rhonda the VIP treatment.
• I invited everyone to walk the Red Carpet and take pictures with me.
• I focused on audience interaction with the Bingo Cards, the photos and video, and the Q&A.
• I also had fun.

What's next for Vengeance Trail? 

• Send pictures from the red carpet to each attendee. Done tonight.
• Fix some lip sync issues I noticed, especially when Sheriff Emery interviews the Gilkey Brothers.
• Gather all the stunt people on Zoom and talk shop for BTS video.
• Launch the soundtrack on Spotify.
• Design DVD and Blu-Ray art and menus for AlliedVaughn.com to print on demand.

What's next for Eyre Films?

• Prey for Mason funding/streaming on Loor.TV drops this week.
• Writers group expects pages for a new monster comedy.
• Write a long-overdue newsletter.

Good night!

Ian Max

STAR in ATTENDANCE!

(Day T-1 Count Down to Worldwide Theatrical Premiere on April 23!)

Tomorrow's screening will be a chance for our audience to meet one of the stars, Keven Russell McCaulley. Not only is Keven one of the initiators, financiers and historians of Vengeance Trail, he also played the bounty hunter/hitman Garvey. Come out and hear more from Keven tomorrow evening! 

Here's a clip from today's test screening at the theater (Keven Russell McCaulley as Garvey, Garrett W. Roberts as Jack the Barkeep, Jeff Dolan as Sheriff Emery):

As a former law-enforcement officer from California, and an equestrian and historian, Keven brings authenticity to his roles. Acting has been a hobby of Keven's since 1992. You can find his work on IMDB as Keven Russell and as Keven McCaulley. Stay tuned, because now that he's retired, Keven has been auditioning lately.

And when Vengeance Trail makes its money back, Keven would love to make more movies.

Hope to see many of y'all tomorrow!

Ian Max

LIVE TALK SHOW SHOUTOUTS!

(Day T-2 Count Down to Worldwide Theatrical Premiere on April 23!)

It's fun meeting new people. And, I've never being invited onto a talk show. The last three days saw me on two shows!

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of being on the Couch Convo With Coach Karla Show. I met Karla Lewis last Sunday at the premiere of "5th Step" in Memphis. She invited me on her show the same week so that Vengeance Trail could benefit from being introduced to her crowd. If you saw the show, I started off with a groggy throat, but I soon warmed up to Karla's prepared questions and interaction. Thank you Karla!

Then today, I expanded on my burgeoning experience as a talk show guest, on The YAMS Show with Anfra Boyd. I didn't see myself on the screen yet, so I warmed up my voice real quick. Haha, that was a fun way to break the ice. Anfra Zoomed in with Stephen McCurry, the director and editor or Vengeance Trail. We had a great discussion about the movie and indie filmmaking. Thank you, Anfra!

Feels like the people who do come to the screening in two days will bring a lot of enthusiasm!

Ian Max

MOMENTUM!

(Day T-3 Count Down to Worldwide Theatrical Premiere on April 23!)

I can't keep up! People are responding on social media. A second review came in. And, Thursday's talk show was rehearsal for Sunday's talk show! Now, to incentivize more ticket sales.

I really love what Film Threat wrote. They understand the limitations and intent of the original movie, and appreciate it for what what it is, a fairy traditional, old-style morality tale. 

Tomorrow evening, Memphis' Anfra Boyd will be hyping the movie, with a possible surprise guest. Tune in at 7pm Central HERE. She calls her show The YAMS (You Are My Sister) Talk Show!

Today's accomplishments:

• Finished updating my wardrobe and my wife's wardrobe for the premiere.
• Purchased prizes for best costume and the Bingo-style interactive movie-watching game.
• DCP delivered and ingested successfully. I will see a test screening on Monday.

Still lots to do:

• Automate ticket response email.
• Incentivize my kids' high school friends to come.
• Borrow stands for the banner.
• Confirm all the talent for putting on the event: cellist, stills photographer, videographer team, box office.
• Watch the test screening. Learn the system of the movie theater.
• Start post bios of cast and crew.
• Post social media links to all the businesses around Memphis that displayed the poster.

And after the screening:

• BTS videos with the stunt team and animal wranglers.
• Video from the Worldwide Theatrical Premiere.
• DVD and BluRay authoring through Allied Vaughn.
• At least 3 more Rotten Tomatoes reviews.

Time to rest the eyes and brain!

Ian Max

Live Music to Set the Mood on Tuesday's Theatrical Screening!

(Day T-4 Count Down to Worldwide Theatrical Premiere on April 23!)

Vengeance Trail is excited to announce that all attendees on Tuesday will be treated to the symphonic vibes of cellist Joseph Miller. 

Joseph Miller is a cellist and native of Memphis, TN. A recent graduate of the University of

Memphis, he is a classically trained performer and music educator who works to bring the arts to

all communities of the greater Memphis area regardless of socioeconomic status. Miller is a

member of several performing organizations such as the Jackson Symphony in Jackson,

Tennessee, the Prizm Ensemble, and Sinfonietta Memphis. His quartet Ensemble X is unique for

being the first black string quartet in the Mid-South region that specializes in highlighting and

performing music of the African American tradition.

Please some support Joseph. Purchase tickets now at VengeanceTrail.com!

Ian Max