Movie: West of the Rockies

Area 86 Pictures is building a collaborative community of filmmakers, artists, writers, and investors who are committed to bringing authentic films to all who are intrigued and love a good story. We are focused on developing and producing meaningful films that will inspire conversations on impactful and challenging topics. Our passion is focused around the idea of very personal human interest experiences where perseverance is paramount. Our team brings their own personal experiences with unique perspective to the writing and creation of films that we are passionate about and believe that you will be too. Life is about persevering over adversity which can often be shared best by storytelling. We believe that great movies are about stories that resonate and make you think. We challenge ourselves daily to meet those high expectations with our creative process.

Production - West of the Rockies Film Project

Area 86 Pictures cofounders Tom Voris and Brian Drinkwine are West Point grads and former Army officers with broad experience in the entertainment, energy and capital raising industries. We have built well-rounded and experienced production team which features seasoned producer Dan Kaplow (William Morris Endeavor, WME), who was the executive in charge of production at HBO for such shows as The Larry Sanders Show, Sex and the City, The Sopranos to name a few, also teaming with powerhouse producers Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and the Russo brothers. Streaming shows, Apples Never Fall and soon to be released, The Big Cigar are the latest ventures produced by Kaplow. We've already recorded much of the music for West of the Rockies including the title song, produced by Danny Elfman's, Oingo Boingo co-member, John Avila and are in discussions with T Bone Burnett to join the project as a musical cohort to head up what will be an amazing soundtrack featuring a mix of epic country songs and newly written material. Though not exclusive, Winnipeg production team, Bonus Productions, headed by 30+ year veteran film-maker, Rhonda Baker has cleared over $3M in tax incentives if we film in Canada, preferably Winnipeg. Baker has started to seek funding as well and is currently in conversations with interested investors.

 

The project is seeking a capital investment of $10-$15M USD for production budget purposes in order to commence pre-production in summer and principal photography in August 2024. We currently anticipate filming in Winnipeg, Canada which has a thriving country music scene and amazing talent but also offers both Federal and Provincial Tax credits reducing the risk on returns to the investor(s). Overseas pre-sales estimates are very good and are available on request. The project is ideal for a film festival entry like Sundance, Austin and/or Cannes in 2025 to secure full major theatrical release and follow-on streaming revenues as we anticipate working with WME to assist the production team in a distribution deal in the future.

 

Movie - West of the Rockies:

Logline: A young, talented country musician with a troubled past fights to save his music and the woman he loves in a town that has forgotten its roots.

Quick Snapshot:

A rebel with a country music cause
Rick Elliot is a rising country music star in a sleepy California ranch town.  Rick wants to desperately preserve his brand of “Outlaw Country” against the trendy new sound known as “Bro Country” that's infecting his town. 

Embarking on his journey of preserving the Outlaw Country crusade, Rick must contend with the rival "Country Music" venues on the other side of town as well as deal with his abusive, alcoholic dad and dysfunctional home-life.  Rick will soon begin a torrid romance with a beautiful newcomer female singer.  The plot thickens as Nashville comes knocking on this up and coming "California Country" scene and promotes a Country Music contest - to the winner - a record deal and an opening slot in Nashville to perform with Country and TV Star, Blake Shelton.  Rick competing in the contest, must choose between his music and the woman he loves.