top of page

HENRY CHASTAIN

SPREE, making of
(2013 - 2015)

I had stopped going to high school at the end of my sophomore year to focus on a feature film project which would ultimately fall apart. Still reeling from that disappointment, we (my ex-classmates and I) set our sights on another film—an "easier" film—that could be completed before everyone graduated and went their separate ways. Spree is that movie; An angsty and choppy and somewhat satisfying but mostly unsuccessful film, that embodies our rejection of (what we felt like were) the expectations of young filmmakers then. We committed every available weekend over two years of our lives to make what was functionally a black-and-white chamber piece with almost no dialogue, action, or even the basic levels of gore you might expect from a horror movie. An intentional iconoclast. In that, for better or for worse, I believe we achieved our goal and, despite not being a serious narrative or financial success, the film ended up being the greatest thing that any young filmmaker could wish for: honest. It's a movie that is true to who we were and what we wanted. And I would be thrilled to ever again make something half as assured and confident.

Here's a look back behind the scenes at that passing time, where nothing seemed to matter except the movie.

First scouting trip, March 2014 for Spree (2015).

First scouting trip, March 2014

Scouting for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis.

Scouting for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis.

Scouting for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis.

Scouting for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis.

Costume tests for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis.

First costume tests.

Costume tests for Spree (2015).

Bandit, screen test

Costume tests for Spree (2015). Connor Maginnis and Cyrus Westerlund.

Connor and Cyrus screen test.

PRODUCTION

Cyrus Westerlund, Connor Maginnis, Nick Nyquist on set of Spree (2015).

August 27, 2014. Principal photography begins. Cyrus, Connor, Nick.

Connor Maginnis and motorcycle

September 2014, we finally found a dirt bike on Craiglist. Ryan and Grandpa help get it running.

Connor Maginnis and motorcycle

Connor Maginnis, fake blood, making of Spree (2015).

Connor Maginnis, fake blood, making of Spree (2015).

We filmed this once with wallpaper and other set dressing which I later decided I didn't like the look of.

Henry Chastain, Connor Maginnis, Brett Fike, making Spree (2015).

Henry, Connor, Brett. The first day of the home intruder sequence. This was also later re-shot.

Ryan Chastain and Connor Maginnis behind the scenes of Spree (2015).

The Seattle Public Library gave us one hour after close to film.

Connor Maginnis on set, Spree (2015).

Photo by Ryan Chastain.

Connor Maginnis on set, Spree (2015).

Henry Chastain filming Connor Maginnis on set, Spree (2015).

Photos by Ryan Chastain.

Ryan Chastain, Connor Maginnis, Brett Fike on set, Spree (2015).

Ryan, Connor, Brett.

Connor Maginnis on set, Spree (2015).

Behind the scenes, Spree (2015).

Behind the scenes, Spree (2015).

Filming on New Year's Eve. Photo by Ryan Chastain.

Connor Maginnis and Colette Zaborniak on set, Spree (2015).

Colette and Connor. Photo by Ryan Chastain.

Colette Zaborniak behind the scenes, Spree (2015).

Colette, wild lines.

Third time filming this sequence.

Henry Chastain on set, Spree (2015).

Photo by Ryan Chastain.

Henry Chastain on set, Spree (2015).

Photo by Ryan Chastain.

Henry Chastain editing, Spree (2015).

Photo by Ryan Chastain.

bottom of page