Q/A with actor Joshua Parkes

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
I worked with Ross on Petty Cash. He needed someone to get shot in the back and I fit the bill.

2.) How has the experience been working as an actor?
This was too much fun to be called "working"

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
I thought of what I would do in any given situation and then did the opposite. And tried to make it a bit humorous.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
I think the use of a Chinese heroine in a western is a first. "Kung Fu" had Cain, we have the Stranger.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Having a shootout on top of the train with Walski while Cyn and Robert are attempting to talk contract details with the location owner.

Q/A with actor Theophilus Jamal

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
Producer Cyn Dulay approached me with the idea of being involved with the project as an actor, which I had set aside prior in pursuit of opportunities behind-the-camera. Regardless, I was flattered and willing to return the favor since she had just appeared in my film "Smashed!" (www.smashedfilm.com). I knew very little about the story, only that it was a Chinese western and that it starred Bai Ling. Coincidentally, Bai Ling worked on the movie The Crow with Brandon Lee, son of THE Bruce Lee, and I went to the same college as Brandon. So, I felt we were destined to meet in a weird sort of cyclical way.

2.)As an actor what was your approach to your character.
In Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale, I have a small, but important role as The Stranger's father. I like that the character is shrouded in as much mystery as The Stranger herself, and that he had to make a tough decision. He is a complex character placed in rough situation. In preparing for the character, I went to Chicago's Chinatown and found a Chinese coin with writing on it that supposedly translated loosely to "Keep safe our home". I tied the coin to a silk cord and wore it as part of my costume. In terms of the Fu Manchu moustache, I had never worn one in a movie because I thought it was stereotypical and cliche, but at the last minute I had a change of heart. I felt that there was an opportunity to take that stereotype and turn it around, so I asked Jenni, the make-up artist, to clip some of my hair and glue it to my existing facial hair. It looked so cool that I wore it off set until it started peeling off.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on Saturday, Nov 10th. Lubar Auditorium, MAM. 6:45pm

Q/A with producer, Glen Popple

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
During the filming of Petty Cash Ross Bigley pitched the idea for Yellow Hill, which was a wonderful western script he had written earlier, to Bai Ling. When Bai returned for the Premiere of Petty Cash we sat down to discuss the future of this film and what we could do to make it happen. Lo and Behold Yellow Hill Investments, LLC was born in January of 2012. Yellow Hill: The Stranger’s Tale is a teaser for the feature film Yellow Hill and our first collaboration as a production entity.

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer, writer or actor?
As with any production the experience is all about the people. Some of our cast and crew came from Petty Cash but we had a also had a number of people up from Chicago, helping out through Stormynight Productions. As with any indie film everyone just dives in and helps where needed.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
To stay behind the camera.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
As I said earlier, this is a teaser for a feature film. Having said that it’s still a very compelling story which will stand on its own due to the drama and action. It tells the story of the west from another perspective, that of the Chinese settlers. This teaser has a terrific storyline to introduce Bai Ling’s character of The Stranger and will be expanded in the feature, Yellow Hill.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
As with any shoot there are countless memories which would make for great stories. The one item that sticks in my mind, though, was an exchange on the second day of shooting. In the shooting of this film we crammed an amazing amount of work into two days. Very little sleep, few breaks, and under those conditions things can sometimes get tense. As we prepared to do another take on a particular scene in the bar Bai Ling, being the consummate professional, sensed that things were getting a bit tense. Just before Ross called “Action” Bai Ling said “Wait!” She turned to Joshua Parkes, with whom she worked on Petty Cash, and simply asked “Are you gay?” After everyone laughed she finished with “Don’t worry, I’m Bai”. The tension was broken and we were back to having fun.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on Saturday, Nov 10th. Lubar Auditorium, MAM. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor and producer, Cyn Dulay

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
2 years ago, Ross pitch the Yellow Hill feature film via phone, and I liked the premise based on 2 sentences that truly peaked my interest and told Ross of the potential of the film if he decided to do it. He sent me the full script to read. I read it and truly liked it but I couldn't take on another project at the time because I was already in the middle of raising funds on another feature film. The Yellow Hill Feature Film script made me cry, and I don't think I've ever felt sad enough to cry over a script. Moments went by, Ross and I still wanted to do Yellow Hill somehow but didn't want to wait years until funding is in place, so we decided to do a short film version of it. It's a great tool to help raise funds for their feature. Together with producers Glen Popple, Bai Ling and Robert Parsons, we teamed up to co-produce a prequel to Yellow Hill". Hence, the birth of "Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale".

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer, writer or actor?
As with any production I get involve with, I wear many hats. Different people, different experiences. As an actress, I had a great time on set because I'm suddenly a Chinese saloon girl from the 1860's. The costume, setting and location was very inspiring. Working with a pool of talented actors truly raises the bar. Everyone had their A game on. Every actor I met on the set was extremely professional, friendly, nice and real. We became a family. I came up with all Chicago actors via van and we drove for 14 hours each way. Thank God we all liked it each other immediately. That was a long ass ride. It was fun though because we savored the moments by talking, joking, eating, lots of rest stops and restaurant stops. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The Wisconsin Actors were just amazing. I love them and glad that we met and became friends. You can tell a veteran actor by their dedication to the project.
Bai Ling's dedication as a producer and actress was incredible and highly respectable. As a producer, taking an idea from conception to execution is very demanding but very rewarding. To get from A to Z, we do everything. Remembering how hard the cast and crew worked diligently in making it happen, with 2 days of shoot schedule, and 800 miles away from home, you can't help but love and appreciate all the good times and tense times. It's all worth it because the main goal is the Project.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
Ross originally cast me as "Venus" for the feature film project Yellow Hill. The short film version, he created a new character, "Mei", a similar character. Mei is a Chinese immigrant that moved here in search of a better life. It's pretty tumultuous to be a woman of ethnic descent especially in the 1860's. My approach to the character is taking my experiences as an immigrant, and completely immersing myself during the period, how I would feel working in a saloon, almost like a prostitute. The very thought appalls me and makes me resentful of men in general. I thought this is all there is for me in America, until a glimpse of hope came through the door when "The Stranger" came looking for her father. I took Mei's character as a younger sister of The Stranger. The very thought of looking up to someone strong, confident, experienced and can kick ass is all I need to be like her and get the f&*@ out of that God forsaken place. I took the small role and created this whole elaborate backstory, but too bad I didn't have enough time in this short film version.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
People are pretty knowledgeable nowadays having access to any information via internet. Knowing the history of immigrants in this country, racism, gender gaps, and living during the 1860's, I think that the audience will relate to the story based upon their knowledge and past experiences. I think that the audience will focus on "The Stranger's " journey and they will want to know what happens next.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Many fond and unforgettable moments were definitely made, but too many to mention. The ones that stood out the most are: When we kept leaving John Walski by accident whenever we would go to a rest stop. He sat in the back of the van, therefore, we didn't realize he wasn't in the van, because there were 8 of us facing forward. It was bad enough we did it once, but 4x. Hence, the birth of "Wherewalski.com". Another unforgettable moment was when we showed up at the GTO Cafe, 8 versatile looking strangers in search of food, in a rush to eat and leave. The regular patrons and staff just gave us a look of WTF did they come from. But the restaurant staff was extremely nice, accommodating though they were short staff to handle a large hungry crowd. We all pitched in and helped ourselves with getting coffee, and helping distribute the food from the kitchen to our table. Phylis was one of the women I will never forget. She loved us. She's always cheerful and friendly, and she loved Felix. I think the most uncomfortable moment was when the owner of The Original 1880's Town, Richard was standing outside the saloon with me, Robert and Kristine. We were discussing what the project and the production is all about. We both looked far away in a distance. Something was moving about on top of the train cars that caught his attention. He asked, what are those guys doing? Is this part of the script? I looked in aghast and saw John Walski and Joshua Parks sparring or having a gun fight on top of his train museum. I had to react quickly and come up with something so that he won't get dismayed and possibly shut our production down if he's not cool. Just when I was thinking, Kristine Kruse sprinted 500 feet towards the two playing actors and told them to get down immediately. I told the owner, Richard, that these are two well trained stuntmen and they are just like kids in a candy store. That they're very inspired by the location and it's originality that they had to get photos doing something they've always wanted to do, which was the truth. Thank God he was a very cool and nice man. I definitely would like to come back there and let people know about his town.

Yellow Hill:The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on Saturday, Nov 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with Producer Robert L. Parsons II

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
My partner Cyn Dulay worked with Ross Bigley in the past on Petty Cash. Ross and Glenn Popple had approached my partner some time ago about doing the film and she loved the story. So when she told me about the story I wanted to know more about it. Being new to this industry I wanted to produce a film with a story that I really liked and this was it. At the time my partner and I had other projects lined up to do. However when I read this story I absolutely loved it and I thought that THIS would be a fantastic first production for us to work on and most importantly be proud of. So I said lets do to it and by the looks of what we have seen thus far with the rough cut, my thoughts were well placed. With that said. Good job Ross.

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer, writer or actor?
To be perfectly honest it was a huge learning experience for myself as new producer and unexpectedly as an actor. I always love a challenge and where times it was frustrating it was more rewarding. I had a great time and the cast and crew were awesome. I really appreciate the help that I got from Cyn Dulay, Bruce Spielbauer,Gregg Wright, John Walski and to whom I can see as a future career as a director Brian Roloff. You guys were very helpful preparing me for my scene,because I had never acted before what so ever and was nervous as hell lol. It was a lot of help and was a lot of fun and I always say, you have to have some fun with what you are doing or else things will be well just dull and boring. When things are enjoyed they are much more memorable. A big THANK YOU to you guys!

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
The role I played was supposed to be played by talented actor and friend Nathaniel Ross but he had some car trouble trying to make it back to South Dakota. Ross asked if I could do it so I said I'd give it a go. Nervous as hell with the help I got from my fellow cast, I used what they showed me and because everyone says I have a bit of a southern accent I didn't try to hide it. I know this... the line "Beans will do!" will forever be stuck in my head lol. Thanks Ross!

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
I think it will grab the audiences because it is a western story with a topic that you really do not hear about with the Chinese and the gold rush. China and American relations being a hot topic today it's interesting to see one aspect about the history of Americans and the Chinese and how they were treated. Then put that with the heart wrenching decision that a father made in order to survive sets the tone for things to come. You take that and put it with good old western gun slinging cowboy action with good characters and people will love it.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Indeed I have a lot, way too many to list I will just say it was a great experience for myself as a producer as well as an unexpected actor. I am very happy to have met such fine group of new people from both Chicago and Milwaukee. They are so much fun and talented it made the whole shoot a joy. The ride there from Chicago was a blast and we had so much fun driving there and back home. Of course we kept forgetting Walski to the point that the night before we left the location he wrote a note on a page from the phone book and stuck it on the van window that read" DON'T FORGET ME!" sighned Walski. I would venture to say that my fondest memory was seeing Cyn Dulay in action acting!

Yellow Hill:The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on Nov 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor and Associate Producer Cheryl Roloff

1.) How did you get involved with this project? ,br /> I had already done some films with Ross & Glen for Third Choice Films.

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer, writer or actor?
I’ve always loved acting in every form: stage, on camera, voiceover. Each experience is great because I learn something new every time, and because I’m working with new/different people on most projects it’s always a new/exciting adventure. I also associate produced for the first time and actually didn’t mind the fundraising I helped with because I was excited for and proud of the project and really wanted to help make it happen.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
To be honest, being a saloon girl wasn’t exactly like performing Shakespeare. I practiced sitting on laps, drinking, and being man-handled just to be sure I really understood where she was coming from though. ;)

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
It’s a unique twist on the Western genre that no one has explored before.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
All of it. Well, just about all of it. The traveling part, not so much. The camaraderie of the cast & crew, and the costumes and set really made it more fun than work. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor Brian Roloff

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
My wife got me the gig and you heard I was cheap.

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer, writer or actor?
I got to run around and play cowboy all weekend, working on a quick-draw and spinning a six shooter. It was outstanding FUN!!!

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
That the movie was all about Burton

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
Pretty sure it will be that dashing badass redhead Burton! Tough as a box of rusty nails but an ass you could bounce quarters off of!

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Watching John and Josh run across the top of the train while shooting at each other and then get in trouble. Damn am I sorry I missed out on that! I also particularly enjoyed working with Robert, Bruce & Greg, helping to get their scene rehearsed and ready to shoot. Watching Bai roll around in the mud puddle out back was pretty freakin entertaining. Parting with Gumby Friday night, who knew he retired to Mudro, South Dakota?!? Finally the mini movie with Walski. While our duel may have degraded into a thumb war, I’m pretty sure that’s how crap got settled when they were out of bullets!

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor and Stunt Co-Ordinator, John Walski

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
I've know Ross for a good number of years and heard he doing a western so I wrote him and begged him to let me be in it. He remembered that I had done a wild west stunt show and he needed someone to fall down. It was destiny from the start.

2.) How has the experience been working as an actor?
I truly enjoyed myself on this shoot. I didn't have a lot of down time so the whole thing went by pretty quick. I made some new friends that I hope to work with again.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
I think my approach was consistent with the way I approach all roles. I start by looking for one standout detail and build from there. That small detail may not be something anyone notices in the overall performance but it allows me a direction and reason to lean a particular way with a character.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
I think that the story behind the story is what will grab audiences through a subliminal but infectious manner. And that story is the story of the town and how they have this inbreeding emidemic as seen in multiple supporting characters being identical in all physical ways. It's not talkied about but I think this incestial taboo holds the secret to the manner inwhich the town regards outsiders and the reasoning for the unbalanced ratio of women to men.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
I truly enjoyed the time I spent with fellow cast and crew members. There were a lot of behind the scenes things happening all the time and all were hilarious. On a sad note, however, I found out the cats from South Dakota don't like me. That's the first state that I've had that issue.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor Tom Reed

There was some shuffling of actors and roles when a cast member dropped out just 10 days before shooting began.

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
Someone recommended me to Ross for the role of Taggert. Ross called me and offered me the role and I was lucky enough to be able to fit Yellow Hill in between two other projects.

2.) How has the experience been working as an actor?
I have been acting for many year and I have played a variety ofroles, but there is nothing more fun than playing a bad guy in awestern on location in an old western town.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
Taggert is such an awful person, so I felt it was important to try to give him a little bit of charm. Once I got on the set I tried to be spontaneous and not plan out too much. I like the improvisational element of film acting

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
Yellow Hill is a classic tale of revenge. Audiences will root for theStranger (Bai's character) to take out the bad guys. However, eventhough this is a straight forward revenge tale there is a uniquenessto the film. The simple fact that an Asian woman is theprotagonist/hero of this western sets it apart from otherrevenge-plotted westerns. The combination of a unique westernprotagonist and a classic tale of revenge will make this a highlyentertaining film.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
The beautiful sunsets and eating at McDonalds with Felix and Bai. Seeing Bai eat her first McDonald's french fry was a priceless experience.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with 1st AD/Second Unit Photographer, Phil Koch

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
You asked me.

2.)What was the experience like for you?
It was two days of long grueling work. It was awesome!

3.)What is iit about the story that you think will grabbed audiences?
Its a western, who doesnt love a good western?

4.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Thumb Wars!!!!!

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor Dan Katula

/ 1.) How did you get involved with this project?
I had worked with Ross previously as an actor in Petty Cash and the with the comedy film group Third Choice.

2.) How has the experience been working as an actor?
I had a great time in South Dakota, the cast and crew got along well and made the most of our time together.

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
Learn my lines. Do my job. And have fun with the people I am playing with. Oh, and look good in a duster.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
Bai's character is intriguing. And all that old-timey cowboy shoot-em up stuff.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
I had a blast playing cowboy in South Dakota. I'm a small town kinda guy, so I loved the tiny town of Murdo. It was my first visit to the Badlands and I will never forget my first look out over that amazing landscape. What a kick in the head. Which was soon followed by Bai kicking me in the head. Did I mention I was playing cowboy at the time?

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with actor and Associate Producer, Bruce Spielbauer

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
A friend of mine – a producer / actress by the name of Cyn Dulay– gave me a head’s up about it, and then she encouraged me to contact the director. I did, and I think I nagged at him and pestered him enough that he finally cast me, just to shut me up. That project evolved, and eventually became this project. That same producer is still attached to this project. And, no, I have not paid her the usual expected kickback funds, yet. The check is in the mail, Cyn. Honest.

2.) How has the experience been working as an actor?
As an actor, I was able to fulfill one of those childhood fantasies – I finally got to tackle a western. I loved prepping the role, and traveling to South Dakota, bonding with cast and crew, and trying to bring my “bartender guy” to life. It satisfied a dream I have had since I was about age seven, and first watched John Ford’s THE SEARCHERS – the film with John Wayne. I wanted to be in a western! And, - I did it. So, my bucket list is down to only one item, I think. Only one item left. What? - What! Whattya’ mean they canceled Bozo?

3.) As an actor what was your approach to your character.
I played Lyle, a bartender. I always begin preparing any role by reading, and re-reading, and re-reading. I picked up on a few clues, here and there. I gradually realized that my role was a man caught in a conflict – his own bigotry and racial hatred versus his need to employ a Chinese man. The guy I played is a coward, and that works perfectly, since so much prejudice is based on fear. Finally, that cowardice also extends to his dealings with the owner of the saloon. I ultimately decided that my “cowardly guy” detests the Chinese, he detests his customers, he detests his boss, and – yeah, he even detests himself, since he knows deep down he is a coward. Self-loathing. I played a guy who hates everyone – the perfect misogynist.

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
The main conflict is a very human one, one that could occur in any setting: A girl’s search for her father, who has suddenly gone missing. Yeah, there is plenty of action, and suspense, and all of the usual elements you expect in any Western – but the story is still a personal one. That is ultimately what is necessary in order for a story to work. This script has it.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
The friends I made on the trip there, the friends I made in a tiny town called Murdo, South Dakota, and the friends I made on the return trip home. I think my fondest memory will always be of accidentally leaving an actor / stuntman by the name of John Walski behind. On Friday. Sorry, John. And then we somehow did it again, on Saturday. Oops. Three times. And again, on Sunday. At least six or seven times, as I recall. And again, on Monday. And again. And again. Sometimes love is hard, John. Did you ever find your way back home?

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Q/A with Make Up/Hair artist and Associate Producer, Jenni Schenk

1.) How did you get involved with this project?
Through a director that I had previously worked with who knew Ross.

2.) How has the experience been working as a producer?
It has been an interesting, awesome, adventurous experience. I met a bunch of new people, with whom I hope to work with again in the future, I got to try some new things, and experience the tiny, tiny town that is Murdo.

3.) What's your approach to your work.
As a makeup artist, I do a ton of research on the characters and time periods that I will be doing makeup for.)

4.) What is it about the story that you think will grab audiences?
It is a different type of story. There are so many remakes out there it's always great to see something new, and fresh. It is action packed, so it will hold a diverse crowd.

5.) Any fond memories from shooting on location?
Just the whole experience in general- it was a trip

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Excerpt from Bai Ling's video interview:

What was it about the story that grabbed you?
It's a part of history never told on screen, its something very important because people need to acknowledge and remember that history and those difficulties in life in order to move forward. To appreciate and to be proud of who they are. As a Chinese person I feel responsible, and my with heart as an actress to have the power and voice to tell that story. In the movie I say a line, "I used to be a woman, but a man taught me to be a man". You can see that there is a lot of sadness there. It’s a story about revenge and justice, about life during that time. I relate to The Stranger because I feel myself that I am a Stranger, in a strange land, a strange culture, a strange life. She had an innocent dream and brought to America by her parents, and her father basically sold her. I think, personally to me, that anything that is strange is interesting and intriguing because there is a lot of mystery and a lot of coincidence happening in life, and a lot of beautiful, beautiful surprises. I somehow understand the Stranger's journey as a woman.

Also, she really kicks ass. I'm very proud and very happy to be a producer, this film is going to be amazing. We are going to show you and you will see how facinating it is, its a film, its history, but its fun. A lot of dept, a lot of great characters that you've never seen before. I'm very proud and I want to make it happen!

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale will have its World Premiere on November 10th. Lubar Auditorium, Milwaukee Art Museum. 6:45pm

Post Production

Hi all, I have not posted as much in the last few weeks because we are working on the film. It's going very well and should be ready for its premiere this November. Once we get over the hurdle of this edit we'll go back to letting everyone know everything Yellow Hill. Thanks.

What is Yellow Hill Investments LLC?

Yellow Hill Investments LLC is a production company formed by International film star, Bai Ling, and Milwaukee filmmakers Ross Bigley and Glen Popple.

This production entity was formed for the sole purpose of producing films and content based on the Yellow Hill concept. Yellow Hill was created in the late 90's as a feature film by Ross Bigley and later pitched to Bai Ling in 2010 while she worked on Ross' film, Petty Cash. Bai Ling loved the character of the Stranger and jumped at the chance to portray a strong Asian female on screen. From there Bai and Ross teamed with fellow collaborator Glen Popple to form this company. The characters, concepts and ideas of all things Yellow Hill is what this company is about. The first production is an introductory teaser that establishes Bai Ling's character, and is based on a small flashback from the feature script that involves her character's father. This teaser is a co-partnership with the Chicago based Stormynight. Yellow Hill's next project will be the feature film, Yellow Hill that is already in pre-production. Ross is already researching a potential follow up to the feature film which further explores the Stranger's world, and haves her interacting in more situations taking place in the 1860's like the Civil war and slavery.

Meet Stormynight

Stormynight is a Chicago based multimedia company that partnered with Yellow Hill Investments LLC to produce the teaser, Yellow Hill:The Stranger's Tale.

Stormynight is headed up by Actress/Producer Cyn Dulay and Producer Robert L. Parsons II. They are currently in production on Donna Ray, the feature film Stork and an upcoming feature shooting this Summer.

Cast List: Bai Ling

International film star, Bai Ling is The Stranger. A twist on the archetypal western loner whose settles scores. A woman with a tragic past and that past takes center stage in Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale.

Bai Ling also serves as Producer and will supply music to the production. Her most notable films are, Red Corner, Anna & The King, The Crow, Crank 2 & Dumplings. The former she won Best Actress at the Chinese Oscars.

Cast List: Tom Reed

Tom Reed is Taggart, the ruthless saloon owner that also controls the town of Rock Ridge.

Tom Reed's previous credits include: John Water's Cry Baby & The Lady of Menagerie, he's currently starring as MacBeth in Milwaukee.

Cast List: Dan Katula

Dan Katula plays the sloppy and evil Dutch Dalton. A man that would rather go on a shooting spree than take his weekly bath. The Stranger has multiple run ins with him, and he never comes out the winner.

Dan Katula is a much in demand stage/film actor in the Milwaukee area, his previous credits include: Missed Connections, Petty Cash, Doris Gives Good Therapy and Bring Me The Head of Harry Jones.

Cast List: Joshua Parkes

Joshua Parkes is Ennis, the coward. It doesn't end pretty for him.

Joshua Parkes is film and stage actor in the Milwaukee area, his previous credits include: Petty Cash and Telepathic Virgins from Mars.

Cast List: Brian Roloff

Brian Roloff is Burton, an evil twisted man. He takes pleasure in the violence he hands out.

Brian Roloff is a highly respected stage actor in the Milwaukee area.

Cast List: Gregg Wright

Gregg Wright plays Silas, a cowpoke that quickly gets on the wrong of The Stranger.

Gregg does his own stunt in the project and did all the special effects as well. His previous credits include: Satanic Panic & Stork.

Cast List: Robert L. Parsons II

Robert L. Parsons II plays Jacob, a desperado who has a fatal run in with Bai Ling's The Stranger.

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale is his first role.

Synopsis and cast list for Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale

Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale is a teaser that takes place a year before the feature film, in a different town with a new plot taken from a flashback moment in the feature film.

Plot: The Stranger (Bai Ling) is walking through the Badlands on a mission, but is briefly stopped by the dirty stinking cowpoke, Dutch Dalton (Dan Katula). He's looking to ambush her and take anything of worth from her, but she outsmarts him and leaves him wounded. From there she makes it to the small town of Rock Ridge, run by the hard fisted saloon owner Taggart (Tom Reed). Once The Stranger steps foot in the saloon and begins asking questions about her father she encounters violence, and silence, that is until Mei (Cyn Dulay) a Chinese saloon girl steps forward with ansers to the mystery. And what the Stranger learns shakes her to her very core, but Taggart will do anything to keep those secrets quiet. Plus Dutch returns looking for payback. 
 
Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale is a story of regret, lost time with a parent that's served up with a healthy dose of action and revenge

Yellow Hill Invesments LLC is partnering with Stormynight to produce a teaser that will serve as a prequel to the feature. This brief teaser will be a new story that can also function as a stand alone piece. It takes a small moment from the feature with the Stranger and her father and expands upon it. The Executive Producers are Cyn Dulay, Robert L. Parsons II, Ross Bigley & Glen Popple. The Producers are Bai Ling, Glen Popple, Ross Bigley, Cyn Dulay, Robert L Parsons II, Mikko Tervenon and William Kale. Associate Producers: Cheryl Roloff, Felix Bofil, Joshua Parkes and Bruce Speilbauer

The confirmed cast:
The Stranger- Bai Ling (Red Corner, Anna & The King, Crank 2, Petty Cash)
Mei- Cyn Dulay (Petty Cash, Holiday Baggage, Not Another B Movie)
Taggart- Tom Reed (John Water's Cry Baby, The Lady of Menagerie)
Dutch Dalton- Dan Katula (Petty Cash, Missed Connections)
Ennis- Joshua Parkes (Petty Cash)
Silas- Gregg Wright (Satanic Panic, Stork)
Jack- John Walski (Slacktime, Resseville, Public Enemies)
The Stranger's Father- Theophilus Jamal (Prison Break, Black Butterfly, John Woo's Stranglehold) Lyle the bartender- Bruce Spielbauer (Amatuer Monster Movie, Body in a Dumpster, Dust)
Saloon Girl- Cheryl Roloff (The Bananas, Bring Me The Head of Harry Jones)
Burton- Brian Roloff
Jacob- Robert L. Parsons II
Brothel Owner- Vito Valenti (Petty Cash, No Touchie Touchie)

Crew:
Ross Bigley: Director
Krisinte Kruse; Unit Production Manager
Gregg Wright: Special Effects
Jenni Schenk: Make up/hair
Glen Popple: Sound/Grip
Dru Montaque: Director of Photography
Phil Koch: 1st AD/Second Unit/Stills
John Walski: Stunt coordinator Felix Bofil:
Assistant to Bai Ling Carolyn Brady:
P.A./Stills Spirit Thomas: Assistant to Cyn Dulay
Tom Muschitz: Music/Sound mix
Bai Ling: Additional Music

Character List for Yellow Hill feature film

The Stranger (Bai Ling)
No Name
Jackson
Mayor Carson
Venus (Cyn Dulay)
Stonewall
Arch Stanton
Bill Carson
Clyde Travis
Lefty (Robert WC Kennedy)
Lee Sau Yin (Elvis Thao)
Li Lian Ji
Bo Cunningham
Jesse Orr
Frank
Cleb
Lucas Carson (Patrick Hayle)
Beuregard Carson (Nathaniel Ross)
McBain (Dan Katula)
Lester Himes (Jousha Parkes)
The Bartender
The Widow (Mary Morales)
Annie (Naomi Leonard)
Henry Bonner (James Gallagher)
Curtis
Will
Vince
Stan
Lan Luong
Lan Luong's wife
No Name's son (Nate Irish)
Son's wife (Stacey Meyer)
Ching Lan
The Undertaker
The Brothel Owner
The Stranger's Father(Theophilus Jamal)
The Conductor
Rich Fat Man
Plus Extras: 20 Chinese settlers, 10 Cowboys and 4 Whores

The synopsis for the Yellow Hill feature film

Bai Ling as the Stranger.

The 1860's. A time when people of all stripes came to America. The land of dreams. The land of promise. These were people looking for prosperity. What they found was hardship.

In a dying gold town called Holsum a community of Chinese immigrants is being brutalized, beaten, whipped and even murdered. Corrupt Mayor Carson and his gang of vicious lackeys, led by ruthless psychopath Jackson, is trying to drive them out but they refuse to leave. Enter The Stranger: A beautiful Chinese woman who has suppressed a great deal pain from her past. Sold into prostitution when her father needed money she meets a mysterious companion that shows her kindness, then showed her love. Until the day he left her. So The Stranger rises up against her sadistic owner, killing him and fleeing. She now wanders the American frontier, cut off emotionally from everyone.

The Stranger arrives in Holsum by train, just passing through. The locals don’t know what to make of her: She dresses like a man, might be local Indian, but all the locals know is that they don’t like her much. She comes upon the saloon, wanting nothing more than a room and a bottle. But she catches the attention of Stonewall and members of Jackson’s men who follow her to her room. That was their first mistake.

She easily lays waste to two of them and Stonewall high-tails it straight to Jackson, informing him and Mayor Carson of this new threat to their plans. That night The Stranger visits the Chinese Settlers who’ve made their home on a small stretch of land next to Holsum, referred to in a demeaning way as Yellow Hill. She sees the injustice brought upon her people and the ice surrounding her heart begins to thaw. It’s at this point that the mysterious companion from her youth reenters her life. The question is will he fight along side her, or against her. Jackson sends his best men to rid himself of The Stranger once and for all. They confront her in her room but even with odds of five-to-one they’re still no match for her skills. After Jackson’s men fail spectacularly The Stranger uncovers the reasons for the horrors inflicted upon the Chinese settlers. They’ve found that there is still gold in Holsum and have concealed it from Mayor Carson. The settlers are melting the gold into woks and other cooking utensils, hiding it in plain sight. Jackson stages one last deadly raid upon the immigrants. Men die, Yellow Hill burns and The Stranger is wounded and captured. All of which leads to the final confrontation between The Stranger and Jackson. Who will be left standing and who leaves town, boots first?

Yellow Hill is a fast paced, sexy western with iconic characters and loaded with plenty of action. This is a story of greed, where people survive by any means necessary. An homage to the films of Sergio Leone, but with a modern twist.

Yellow Hill is being produced by Bai Ling, Ross Bigley & Glen Popple.
All materials script/photos are owned and copyrighted by Yellow Hill Investments LLC
Script by Ross Bigley
All characters created by Ross Bigley

Cast List: Vito Valenti

Vito Valenti plays an important person from the Stranger's past. In a scene that Bai Ling wrote for Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale.

Vito Valenti worked on previous Dirty Job Film productions such as Petty Cash, and the award winning No Toucie Touchie.

Cast List: Cheryl Roloff

Cheryl Roloff plays a saloon gal with bad taste in men. Cheryl also serves as an Associate Producer due to her fundraising efforts and being a huge help during production.

Cheryl Roloff is a much in demand actress in the Midwest area, appearing in television commercials (Walgreens, Fleet Farm & John Zarzynski Law Firm) to her stage work in Milwaukee. She's also a member of Third Choice Ensemble with Ross Bigley and Glen Popple.

Crew List: Felix Bofil

Felix Bofil was Bai Ling's Assistant and driver for Dirty Job Film's Petty Cash, he returned to those duties on Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale in which he also served as Associate Producer.

Crew List: Phil Koch

Phil Koch was the 1st A.D., Second Unit Photography and Stills Photographer. He also supplied much of the gear used in the production.

Phil is also an award winning filmmaker and photographer, plus has been a festival director for Firestarter films.

Cast List: John Walski

John Walski first worked with Dirty Job films on Slacktime in the late 90's. He plays Jack, a down right bastard of a person who takes joy in hurting others.

His other credits include: Public Enemies, Bunny, & Tour DeForce

Cast List: Theophilus Jamal

Theophilus Jamal is The Stranger's Father in "Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale". A proud family man that had to make a difficult choice.

His other credits include: Prison Break, John Woo's Stranglehold and Smashed.

Cast List : Bruce Spielbauer

Bruce Spielbauer, a Chicago area actor plays Lyle the Bartender in "Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale".

His other credits include: Body in a Dumpster, Dust, Bled White, The Vision and Frankenstein: Day of the Beast.

Cast List : Cyn Dulay

Here is a daily line up of those in the cast of "Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale". Cyn Dulay is an Executive Producer on the teaser. She plays Mei, a saloon girl that holds the secret to the town's recent dark deeds.

Cyn's previous credits include: Petty Cash, Stork, Holiday Baggage, Not Another B Movie

THANK YOU!!!

This has been an incredible day, our last day of our Indie Go Go campaign, and it our largest day of donations. $1,275 come today and that allows us to shoot our short film! Thank you Steve Evans, Bryan McGowan, Preston Jong, Laurie Loomis, Stephanie Anderson Berry and Robert WC Kennedy!

Wow! Thank you all! What a great day.

Thank you Mikko Sakari Tervonen, Kathleen Williams, Neille Hoffman and Greg Ryan for your very kind dontations!

Thank you all!

We are only about $1,200 short. its getting close with only 4 days left! Thank you Matthew Marotta, Tim Lonsdale, William Quirmbach and AnnMarie Swawkins Ph.D. for your kind donations!

Message from Bai Ling:

Bai Ling has her own blog page that you can find at: http://www.officialbailing.com This is what she posted this morning:

I am posting a message from a facebook friend, so he then knows he is not just talking to himself:)
ThursdayBryan McGowan to Bai Ling
I watched an interview of you on Youtube today. You really are an amazing and funny woman. It was very enjoyable. You have a great attitude to things and made a lot of common sense. Maybe you should be governor of California!
It's when i see interviews like that i wish i could have even just a coffee with you one day. If that ever happened, i would die a happy man and would man God crazy by telling him all the time about the day i had coffee with Ling.
Oh well, such are my dreams
Oh yeah, i know you've been very busy recently with filming, but any idea when you will record a new song?
FridayBryan McGowan
I donated $10 to Yellow Hill. Next payday i will donate more. For $50 i get a cast autographs......How about one just from you for $100??? :)))
Sincerely from my heart and all the Yellow Hill team want to thank all of you so much our friends for your kind donation to our film " Yellow Hill ", indeed because of you will make this film possible. it is a film that close to our heart, and its a story need to be told, its so meaningful because so many people had contributed and served and died and suffered during that time when the Chinese came to the west to build the railroad, yes till today there is no film about that part of history, we are telling the story from a perspective of how a young woman travel from the east who's life doomed in her youth, and then when she grow into a beautiful woman and then come back to fight with all the powerful men wrongly treated her and her fellow sisters. its a story about Revenge... hash hard lot of action, watch us kick ass! yes it will be made as a contemporary film with a thriller and massive action in a modern style.
Because I am so grateful here I want to list all my friends whom donated to our film and now are part of ouR family:
Cheryl Roloff
tsheedlo
Glen Popple
Damon J. Tutko
Daniel FLY
Sigmund Seignious
moonpunter17
narncommander1
Leslie Maj
crazymelin
gniebuhr
Greg Robertson
fanaticfb1378
Mark G.E.
contribute1335225473
Krystal Hardy
Joel Kopischke
Eric Valverde
Katherine Balsley
Richard Grunert
bkmcgowan
Brooke Maroldi
Kathy Hwang
Bo winther

Thank you so much! and I guarantee you all the money will spend to make this brilliant movie. YES we still need a little more with 6 days left, please help, does not matter how much

http://www.indiegogo.com/YellowHill

Cookie: Life is about taking chances, you might just stepped into a very impoRtant history of film making by supporting us.

Thank you!

Thank you Cary Chan for your kind donation!

Thank you all!

Thank you Phil Koch, Bo Winther and MikkoTervonen for your kind donations! Your help gets us closer to our goal!

Thank you all!

Wow! A great morning in donations! Thank you Bryan McGowan, Brooke Maroldi and Kathy Hwang! We are getting closer to the amount we need to shoot!

Thank you!

Thank you Dick Grunert for your kind donation!

Thank you all!

Man, another great day raising funds! It's looking more and more that we will be doing this film! A big thank you to: Eric Valverde, Katherine Balsley, Krystal Hardy and Joel Kopischke!

Thank you!

Thank you Krystal Hardy for your kind donation!

Thank you!

Thank you Shellee Roloff for your kind donation!

Thank you!

Today we got in some donations from Mark G.E., Michael Morrow and Greg Robertson. Thank you all for helping make this film happen!

Thank you!

Thank you Gary Warren Niebuhr for your kind donation!

Thank you!

Thank you Timothy Jamison for your kind donation!

Bai Ling -bio

"Bai Ling" in Chinese means "White Spirit". Bai Ling was born in Chengdu, in the Sichuan province of the Republic of China, on October 10, 1966. Her father was a music teacher, and her mother was a dancer and stage actress, but she was primarily raised by her grandmother after Ling's parents ran afoul of Chinese authorities during the Cultural Revolution.

Bai Ling sang in her school choir as a child. At the age of 14, she was enlisted in the People's Liberation Army to served as an entertainer, singing and dancing for the troops for three years. She also served shortly as an Army nurse. Three years later, she clashed with authority and she was accused of insubordination for using tobacco and alcohol and was hospitalized for depression.

Bai Ling found that she could express herself through acting so after her recovery she joined a theater group in Beijing, where she appeared in traditional Chinese plays as well as dramas from the West. Soon she caught the eye of a number of progressive and traditional Chinese director and began receiving small roles in Chinese films. In 1988, Ling starred in Hu Guang (a.k.a. Arc Light), where she played a woman suffering from mental illness. The next year, she took part in the infamous Tiananmen Square protests, which further alienated her from the Chinese government. When she attended the film's screening at the Moscow Film Festival she was warned not to discuss political matters.

At age 21 Ling traveled to New York City to study at New York University's Department of Film and took classes at the Strasberg Institute. Bai Ling arrived in New York not knowing a word of English, but soon mastered the language through daily immersion. She was issued a special visa and allowed to stay in the United States due to her actions at Tiananmen Square. She mad her American film debut as the villainous Myca in the dark fantasy The Crow (1994). The following year she played a Chinese interpreter in Oliver Stone's Nixon. In 1997 she appeared in Red Corner as a lawyer defending an American journalist (Richard Gere) on assignment in China, although she knew she would suffer repercussions from her participation in the film. Red Corner was banned in China and North Korea, her contracts in upcoming Chinese films canceled, and her passport was revoked. However, the National Board of Review gave her a Breakthrough Performance award; and recieved U.S. citizenship in 1999.

In that same year Bai Ling appeared in Wild Wild West and Anna and the King. She's also been seen in The Beautiful Country (2004), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004). In 2007 she produced and starred in Shanghai Baby, and closed out the decade by appearing in The Gene Generation (2007), Dim Sum Funeral (2008), Crank:High Voltage (2009), Love Ranch (2010) and Petty Cash. Bai's proudest achievement as an actor was winning the Best Actress award at the Chinese equivalent of the Oscars for the film Dumplings (2004).

Thank you!

Thank you to Leslie Maj for her kind donation!

Thank you!

Thank you to Dennis Fletcher for his kind donation!

Thank you!

Thank you to Patrick Dilloway for his kind donation!

Thank you!

Thank you to Sigmund Seigniou for his kind donation!

Thank you!

A big thank you to piquigny02 for your very kind donation!

Thank you!

A big thank you to Damon J. Tutko for his kind donation!

You can support us to at:
http://www.indiegogo.com/YellowHill?c=home

Thank you!

A big thank you to Glen Popple for his kind donation!

Thank you!

A big thank you to Todd Sheedlo for his kind donation!

Thank you!

A big thank you to Cheryl Roloff for her kind donation!

Cast Members - Dan Katula

Dan Katula is scheduled to play Dutch Dalton in the short film.



Dan is a favorite on the Milwaukee stage, an equity actor that has also appeared in the films, Petty Cash and Missed Connections. He is also a member of the comedy group Third Choice Ensemble with director Ross Bigley.

Cast Members - Cyn Dulay

Over the next few days we'll post cast members for the short film, the first one we're announcing is Cyn Dulay who'll portray Mei. Through her production company Stormynight Cyn will serve as one of the Executive Producers for the project.



Cyn's previous credits include: Petty Cash, Stork, Holiday Baggage, Not Another B Movie

Welcome!

This blog was created so that everyone can keep up to date on all the latest news on everything that is Yellow Hill. So, what is Yellow Hill?

Yellow Hill is actually two films: A short film, Yellow Hill: The Stranger's Tale is the first one and introduces Bai Ling's character as she discovers the fate of her father from whom she was separated a decade earlier. The second is a feature film with a epic feel, as Bai Ling protects a group of Chinese settlers from a mob of desperadoes forcing them off their land. Both are a homage to the films of Sergio Leone, but with a modern twist.



To get these films made International film star Bai Ling and writer/director Ross Bigley reteam after working together on the film Petty Cash to form a production company (Yellow Hill Investments LLC) with filmmaker, Glen Popple.

The short film will be executive produced by Stormynight, a Chicago based production company formed by Cyn Dulay and Robert L. Parsons.