Sons & Daughters of Thunder

Open Call Movie Extras for February 8 & 9 Scenes in "Sons & Daughters of Thunder"

CASTING MOVIE EXTRAS FOR "SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER" Men and women ages 18+. The film, produced by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, is set in 1834.  See www.LaneRebelsMovie.com for more information. Filming will take place in Andover, IL (30 min. SE from Moline) on February 8 and 9, 2014. While the “extra” role is non-union and non-paid, we are grateful for your contribution to this project. Extras are responsible for their own transportation to and from the movie site and should plan for a long day shoot (call times TBA)--meal(s) provided if your call time is scheduled during breakfast and/or lunch. Extras will receive screen credit and a copy of the DVD when released. The film will be released in 2015 with screenings at film festivals, art theaters, PBS stations and a national DVD release. More details will be provided. Please email name, phone number, email address and a photo to assistant director tysondanner@gmail.com.  February 2014 marks the 180th anniversary of the historic Lane Seminary debates, the first public debates on the topic of the abolition of slavery.  We hope to see you in 1834 on February 8 & 9th!

"Thunder" Topic of Discussion on Radio WVIK-NPR 90.3 FM Sunday, Jan. 26 1pm

Tune in to WVIK-NPR 90.3 FM Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. to hear "Sons & Daughters of Thunder" director Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, acclaimed actors Thomas Alan Taylor (Theodore Weld) and Jess Denney (Harriet Beecher) chat with Bruce Carter on "Art Talks" about the exciting new movie. The Thursday evening, January 23 program was pre-empted by a gubanatorial debate.

WVIK also streams online: http://www.wvik.org/about-us.html.

Extra! Extra! Extras Needed for "Sons & Daughters of Thunder"!

Seeking 15 MALE "Extras" for the new movie SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER (ages 18-30) to play Lane students sitting in a convocation. You will need to come dressed in black/dark pants, black/dark dress shoes, dark suit jacket and white collared shirt. Call time is 8:30A-4:30P on Saturday, January 18 in Andover, IL. While the “extra” role is non-union and non-paid, we are grateful for your contribution to this project. Extras will receive screen credit and a copy of the DVD when released. The film will be released in 2015 with screenings at film festivals, art theaters, PBS stations and a DVD release. For this special opportunity, please email us at fourthwallfilms@aol.com with your name, phone number, acting experience and attach a photo.

We will also be casting 25-30 MEN & WOMEN (18+) as Extras for crowd scenes to be shot in February.  No acting experience necessary.  Contact casting director kim@thecurtainbox.com if you are interested in being considered for the February filming in Andover, Illinois for SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER!

Step into the Past

'Thundrous' New Docudrama to Star Q-C Cast

By Jonathan Turner, Dispatch-Argus

Harriet Beecher (Jess Denney) and Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in a scene shot at the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling, Illinois for Sons & Daughters of Thunder.

A little-known turning point in slavery in America is the subject of a new docudrama being filmed in the area, featuring an impressive cast of Q-C actors.

"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" takes place in 1834 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and depicts the first public discussions of the abolition of slavery in the United States. The shocking oratory at Lane Seminary sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher Stowe to the horrors of slavery.

Sons & Daughters of Thunder Director of Photography Kevin Railsback and Director Kelly Rundle.

The feature film -- based on a 1970s play by Earlene Hawley (who now lives in Waverly, Iowa) and Curtis Heeter -- is written by the husband-and-wife team of Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films, who have made award-winning documentaries. This is their first narrative movie, with Kelly directing and Tammy producing.

Co-producer Kent Hawley and Thunder playwright Earlene Hawley.

" 'Sons of thunder' is a Biblical phrase, and because of the role of Harriet in the story, the narrative version emphasizes that," Mr. Rundle said. "Harriet does write the book, literally, that changes history."

Harriet Beecher Stowe (portrayed by actress Jess Denney) wrote the history changing novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

In 1852, Stowe's anti-slavery novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was published as a two-volume book and was a best seller all over the world, translated into over 60 languages. The novel was described by President Lincoln as the book that started the Civil War.

"The playwright makes the argument that Harriet was so moved and influenced by what went on at Lane Seminary and by the writings of Weld later on it prompted her to write 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' and it literally changed the course of the nation," Mr. Rundle said.

Behind the scenes--setting up for a shot with Weld, Calvin Stowe (Daniel Rairdin-Hale) and Harriet Beecher.

Weld -- who virtually is forgotten today -- was best known for his work "American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses." He founded Lane Seminary in 1833, attended in his 30s and became leader of the "Lane Rebels," a group of students determined to engage in free discussion of the abolition of slavery.

A series of debates was held over 18 days in 1834, and when the school's board prohibited students from discussing slavery, over half (more than 60) of the students left Lane for Oberlin College, near Cleveland, which then admitted African-Americans and allowed free discussion of the issue.

Click here Dispatch-Argus to read the rest of Jonathan Turner's story on Sons & Daughters of Thunder.

To be a part of the new docudrama and make a contribution, visit: http://docublogger.typepad.com/thunder/how-to-contribute.html.