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.