FAQ’s
What is the film about?
ORIGIN is the Story of protagonist Simon Kane, a computer hacker searching for answers about his estranged father’s existence. As Simon finds that he has been the victim of a sick scientific experiment, only two can help him. . . a ranting street bum and a mysterious mute. Simon’s lifelong search finally brings him to the center of a dark, multinational conspiracy.
Where did you find your actors?
We went through great lengths and hundreds of applicants to find many of our actors. However, lead characters Dennis De Barnardi and Lai Salee, were working with Callahan from the beginning.
Do you really know Martial Arts?
Yes. Many of us had extensive martial arts training, in various disciplines, before the film’s undertaking. Sheldon Callahan is a 9 year student of Shaolin Kung Fu. He worked with his long time friend and chorographer Leon Echols 15 year Shaolin student to incorporate Shaolin kung fu and acrobatics. Dennis De Barnardi (Bishop) who’s background is in Tia-jitsu worked with Callahan and echols to create a new style for his character based on classic kung fu animal forms. “ I wanted to create an unexpected and vile, snake-like creature in Bishop, and so I choose to use a collaboration of snake style, and drunken boxing in style, and De Barnardi Tia_jitsu.� says Callahan.
Lai Salee (The messenger) a practitioner of Kenpo Karate, collaborated with Callahan and De Barnardi to create her direct, hard-hitting character. “ To create a direct and more non descript style, I gave The Messenger very cold and direct movements with less accent in any style. The whole team contributed to the choreography and the ideas surrounding the fight scenes.
How long did you train your team in stunts and kung fu?
The team has trained for 3 years with Callahan and continued to fine tuning our skills before and during production.
How did you fund this project?
The Crew believed in this project and was generous with their commitment and hard work. Thanks to their volunteer efforts much of our funding was phenomenally, self-generated by the team
Callahan and Hiraoka also provided their own money to source the project, and Executive Producers, Christine Wheeler Carson, and Pete Smiths made charitable contributions of film gear, time, and expertise. Many others made donations of their time and equipment. Dana J of DJC productions, a Teacher at the Institute of Art, provided sound and encouraged students to help out with the project. Callahan’s parents catered several film shoots, pushing the project forward with a low to no budget.
Where/How did you establish your crew?
We networked with other filmmakers, professionals, students, friends and co-workers to build or team of people. Essentially, we just kept talking about our project and people became more and more interested as that they saw it coming together.
How did you obtain special effects, props, and locations?
The special fx have been provided by a team of CG artists we put together, and were lead by Kevin Hoppe. With many special effect shots anticipated, we had to come up with many computers and physical solutions to tell the story. Props were created and modified by industrial designer, Andrew Roland. Locations have been provided by guerilla filmmaking, friends donating spaces and colleges permits for use of campus facilities.