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EXPERIMENTAL FILM
RITUAL OF FIRE
short film
A magical realist short film about a young boy's encounter with a Pagan fire circle in xenophobic Eastern Europe during the lead up to WWI.
This independent film with a strong social message was written and directed by Ryan Uzilevsky in 2005. The film was made during George W. Bushes second term. It was seen as a response to the war crying post 911 america that seemed to suffer from historical amnesia. The escalation of violence in the Arab world, and xenophobia on American soil under the guise of patriotism
Skydog wanted to tell a story about another time, not that long ago where this line of nationalistic racism became paramount in Eastern Europe ultimately the leading up to catastrophic World War and Genocide.
THE FILM
THE FRAMES
THE VISUAL CONCEPTS
Concept Art for "Ritual of Fire"
Some of the visual inspiration for the film came from Antonín Kratochvíl's photo-journalism of post communist Eastern Europe, as well as other historic images from the region.
THE INSPIRATION
THE PRODUCTION
Filming took place on location over two weekends in Upstate New York.
Producer, Dustin Highbridge and the rest of the Brooklyn based production team rented school buses as well as the facilities at an off-season summer camp to deal with the rather large cast and crew
THE CREDITS
Written and Directed by
Ryan Uzilevsky
Produced By
Dustin Highbridge
Starring
Sawyer Stanton as Young Sig
Evgenia Randilova as Young Girl
Cinematography by
Jesse Redding Fleming
Ryan Uzilevsky
Executive Producers
Karl McGuiness
Richard Zucker
Marcus Uzilevsky
Nicky Johnson
Assistant Producer
Mitch Bacharach
Editing
Ryan Uzilevsky
Sound Designer
Brandon Wollcot
Special Effects, Hair, and Make-up By
Jen Suarez
Art Direction
Ryan Uzilevsky
Toa Garcia
Fire and Mask Effects
Flambeaux (Chris Riley)
CAST
Raymond Young Gregori
Eni the Forest Nymph
Evgenia Randilova
PAGAN GYPSY GODESSESS
Nahryha
Mahi
Cristal Albornoz
Olivia Rorick
Harrie Mule
Erika Rivera
Monica Mehta
Summer
Katie Kopchic
Pamela Highbridge
Noelle Vogt
PAGAN WARRIORS
Terry Von Hightower - The Shaman
Master Flynn
Tom Hannigan
Flamebeux
Damon Honeycutt Pan / Flute
Omar Holmes
Mike Zhang
Justin Montalvo
Zack Roberts
Don Keenan
Omar Reyes
Otis Cook
Dehran Duckworth
Tisho
COPSA MICA VILLAGERS
Skippy D - Millitia Leadman
Tom Trocola
Captain Zorikh
Drew Stymacks
William Scala
Cory Loyd
Mike Zhang
Zee Raza
Leoni Pimentel
Logan Wolf
Tom Trocola
Grandmother Helen Weigner
CREW
Jason Rinn Camera Operator
Brian Mackie Camera Operator
Javier perez karam Camera Operator
Ryan Uzilevsky Camera Operator
Terry Gjezo Camera Operator
Chris Abel Stunt Coordinator
Ryan McGrath 1st Assistant Director
Matt Medlin 1st Assistant Director
Concept Illustrator Alex Tarampi
Jay Hayes Prop Master
Matt Dooley Assistant Art Director
James Barnes Puppet Master
Patrick Set Construction Supervisor
Ari Taub Props and Modern Weaponry
Captain Zorihk Period Props and Weaponry
Fred Vogt Chainsaw Guy
Jessica McCormick Costume Director
Giuliana Favaron Specialty Props
Lisa Campos Special Effects Make-up Artist
Kenny Franklin Props
Naraya Props and Jeweler
Nancy Voght Best Mom
Cristal Albornaz Jewelry
Skippy D Pyro
Storyboarding
Alex Tarampi
Ryan Uzilevsky
Jason Rinn
Justin Situ 2nd Unit A.D.
Tina Yeh 2nd A.D
Marina Djokic 2nd 2nd A.D
Sean Linehan Gaffer
Zak Mulligan Gaffer
James Barnes Lighting and Puppets
Brent Deep Sea videographer
Brian castaldo Key Grip
Kevin Groff Key Grip
Joe Best Boy Grip
Russ Best Boy Grip
Brian Sachson Best Boy Grip
Nick Montalvo Grip
John Scott Wilson Grip
Dance Choreography by
Harrie Mule
Ryan Uzilevsky
Samantha Casolari Script Supervisor
Steven Roy Set Photographer
Christine Production coordinator
Kevin Johnson Location Audio
Rob Albrecht Sound Recording
Brian Loatman Sound Operator
Andrejs Prokopenko Sound operator
Dan Sound Assist
Matt Dooley Special Effects Make-up
Lisa Campos Special Effects Make-up Assist
Amanda Wash Hair/Make-up Assist
Stephanie Fisher Hair/Make-up Assist
Courtney Foster Hair/Make-up Assist
Katie McDermott Hair/Make up-Assist
Melanie Hair/Make up-Assist
Fait Cass wardrobe P.A
Jill Ernhardt wardrobe P.A
Sara Sharpia wardrobe P.A
Jim Mitchell Technician
Ariel Sheldon Talent Coordinator
Flambeaux Pagan God / Fire Mask Artist
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Deryck Highbridge
Rachel McCants
Brian Douglas
Fletcher Elison
Jennifer Larkan
Adam Driggs
Christopher Navarro
Dave Kabeebo
Joan Gerardi
FACTORY WORKERS
Skippy D
Mike Boyer
chris farington
Tony Gruia
Florin Penisoara
Brody
Richard
Steven Booth
Joe
Danny
Rich Shultis
John Voght
FARMERS
Cory Loyd
John Voght
Katie Kopchic
Cybelle Cappelli
Nancy Orlowski
Peggy Ringwood
Jakie
Janet Ionescu
skippy D
Village Children
Allyson and Morgan Sitler
Lori, Casey and Matt Bryant
Christen Potenz
Miss Ionescu
Nicole Guzman Head Chef
Nicoles Sister Cook
Jose Rivas Kitchen P.A
Jay Bermudez Lifeguard
VENDORS
Hit and Run Productions
SPECIAL THANKS
Radius 5 Films
Anton Kratochvil
Doug Highbridge
Marcus Uzilevsky
Boni Uzilevsky
Giuliana Favaron
Ari Taub
Hit and Run Productions
Brooklyn Independent Studios
The New York Jedi
3rd Ward
Samantha Casolari
JoAnne Boyer
Javier Perez-Karam
Mike the Lake President
Jeff Johnson
Andy the Cat
Kip Singer
Dehran Duckworth
Janet Ionescu and Family
The Burning Man Arts Festival
Joe at Shadow Studios
Julie the "Young Starving Whatever"