E.P.G. Lives!

Qikfinger Film's E.P.G. celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary by streaming around the world.

Key Art by Kim Watson, Pinnacle Graphics

“REASON AND LOGIC, DOCTOR. WE’VE GOT TO THINK OUR WAY OUT.”

In April of 2015, a newly formed KC film production company, Qikfinger Films, wrapped on a  movie that would soon become an award-winning sci-fi thriller, E.P.G. Written and Directed by Andrew Pritzker, a transplant from LA to KC, the project would prove to be an amalgam of some of the finest cinematic talent in KC’s vibrant indie film scene.

Jeffrey Staab, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

FLUKES HAPPEN

We were in preproduction on a supernatural thriller, DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE, when fate knocked on the door. Michael Cross, a photographer, art aficionado, and Operations Director for the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, asked if we had ever toured the museum’s sub-basement and offered a peek. Michael, a film enthusiast who wanted to be involved in a production, assured the basement was, “cinematic.” Days later, we took a staff elevator down to the last known level of the museum only to follow Michael further down narrow stairs to a dark twisted maze of endless tunnels, boilers, dead ends, and steel planks. True to his word, the museum’s basement was incredibly cinematic…Kubrick cinematic…a million-dollar set…visually stunning. We struck a deal. If Michael could get us the basement we’d shoot a movie. He agreed and became a producer on the spot.

Chad Crenshaw, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

HURRY UP AND WAIT

A screenplay was written for E.P.G. about two rival professors proving quantum mechanics and inadvertently getting trapped in a wormhole. Written specifically to conform to the Nelson-Atkins’ oddly configured basement, the project remained shelved until it was cleared to shoot. It took months. Our production window was shrinking due to scheduled museum construction. Our chances seemed slim to none.

Jeffrey Staab & Chad Crenshaw with Caleb Vetter (Photo by Jenifer Cady)

HORSES CHANGED IN MID STREAM

Qikfinger Films had started preproduction on what become our second project, the supernatural thriller, DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE, when word arrived that the museum was a go but with a few stipulations, security checks upon entrance and exit, agreeing to be locked in the basement 10-12 hours a day, and only shooting on Monday and Tuesday when the museum was closed. We were also advised to keep a low profile because not every museum official was aware of the film. Piece of cake.

Jennifer Seward & Jeffrey Staab, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

CAUTION ROAD BLOCKS

Brainstorming with our Cinematographer Christopher Commons, Sound Mixer and Composer, CJ Drumeller, and Gaffer/Key Grip duo, Corey and Caleb Vetter, we worked out the production obstacles to filming in a dark, vast, echoing concrete basement.

Jeffery Staab, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

First consideration, the budget. Lighting tunnels and corridors with conventional movie lights would have cost a small fortune. Blocking tracking shots with actors over considerable distances would reveal lighting and power cords. We took a chance replacing the museum’s river of industrial fluorescent wall fixtures with full color spectrum LED rods. The result was a beautiful, eerie, film noir glow that the camera seemed to love.

Chad Crenshaw, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

Audio problems fell to CJ Drumeller, who dampened echoing voices with sound baffling tarps and strategically placed lavaliere mics. Pausing camera when the basement’s loud and annoying condensers drowned out the dialog and room tone, the recorded sound was terrific.

CLAUSTROPHOBIC TALENT NEED NOT APPLY

With an impressive theater community and film production hub, KC offered a bevy of SAG and Non Union talent. Our four actors, Jeffrey Staab, Chad Crenshaw, Jennifer Seward, and Kip Niven, delivered outstanding performances in the dank and dark with a priceless art collection over their heads.

Jeffrey Staab (left) & Kip Niven (right) Chad Crenshaw (rear left) CJ Drumeller (real right), E.P.G.

E.P.G. REDUX

A year after wrapping, cut, colored, and laced with digital effects by Editor JJ Johnson, E.P.G. launched onto the festival circuit. In 2018, with a 26 second trim and updated effects, E.P.G. began streaming on Amazon Prime followed by TUBI, XUMO, YouTube, and other streamers  around the world. Eight years later, it’s still showing. Word of mouth made it a cult favorite. Thanks to all our sci-fi fans and thanks to KC Film.

(L to R) Caleb Vetter, Christopher Commons, Corey Vetter, Michael Cross, Kara Bond, CJ Drumeller, Levi Wilkinson, and Jenifer Cady, E.P.G. (Qikfinger Films)

Director Andrew Pritzker & Producer Michael Cross