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posted 11:43 am Sun October 5, 2008 - Lynchburg, VA
Story by Maria Black, WSET-13
LU Alum Makes Family-friendly Film
It has got plenty of action, and conflict, but you won't
Faith based and family friendly -- a movie genre that Scotty Curlee says is in short supply in today's theaters.
Scotty Curlee, Executive Producer - "Up till now there hasn't been alot of content that families could sit down and watch together and not have to worry about language or innuendo or anything like that."
So the Liberty University alumnus is doing something about it. “MAX VO2-The Potential Inside" is Curlee's action, adventure movie about an elite bicycle racer who has everything going for him until he's seriously injured in a car accident.
Curlee - "The subject matter has to do with a father who is driven to suceed who is driven to win who is a type-A type person who is so busy living the life or pursuing the dream that he forget about whats so important and that is his family."Curlee shot many of the movie's scenes in Lynchburg. And many of the key actors, extras and production crew are home grown talent. Including Dr. Joe Hutchison, who is a local Ear Nose and Throat specialist playing the role of an orthopedic surgeon. This is actually his second film role with Curlee.
Joe Hutchison - "As we really kind of get going it actually gets a little more fluid and by the time we get done..and by the time we actually look at the footage, and think 'wow, that actually turned out pretty well'."
Curlee says MAX VO2 has something in it for all ages...edgy action for youngsters and relationship conflict for the adults.
Curlee - "You know when he's struggling with his wife and exchanging words with her and its not so pleasant and any married couple is going to look at that and say I've been there."
Curlee "He ends up coming full circle and find his faith back in God."
A message that he says is lost today's cinema. But one he's happy to bring to life on the big screen. Curlee hopes to release the film next fall.
Published: October 4, 2008
Casey Gillis - News & Advance
Kim Raff/The News & Advance
Hill City celluloid: Behind the scenes at a local movie shoot
It’s 10:30 p.m. on a Monday night when a bloodcurdling scream echoes through an empty road in the New London Business & Technology Center off U.S. 460.
“It’s a horror movie,” jokes Freddy Hallaron, the sound mixer for Bedford-based Red Cloud Productions’ first full-length film, “Max VO2: The Potential Inside.”
And no, Red Cloud is not producing a slasher flick. The Christian film is about a retired veteran cyclist who trains an up-and-coming rookie and changes both of their lives in the process. The title refers to maximum volume of oxygen, or the most oxygen your lungs can use effectively.
“The higher your Max VO2,” one character says during the film, “the greater your potential.”
On this particular night, the cast and crew are shooting a pivotal scene, when the veteran cyclist, Chris Carmik (Red Cloud founder and the film’s executive producer Scotty Curlee), is in a car accident with his wife and child.
Oh, and those screams? They were coming from Kera O’Bryon of Newport News, who plays Chris’ wife, Sarah.
This is an independent production, so the filmmakers are relying on a little movie magic to create the crash scene and the moments leading up to it. The car, a silver Ford Taurus, sits stationary on the deserted road, surrounded by lights. Three large ones face it, and another hangs from above.
Director James Burgess has one camera set up directly in front of the car and another several feet back, to get a wider shot through the windshield.
As the scene begins, crew members on both sides of the car begin moving the lights to create the illusion that the car is moving. Burgess shoots about 10 takes from that perspective, then moves the camera behind the car.
Curlee, O’Bryon and Sophia Watson, an 8-year-old Atlanta actress who plays their daughter, go through the scene several more times. Eventually, it’s time to create the crash. Instead of smashing up a couple cars, the Red Cloud crew is doing it all with lights.
The actors do the scene again but this time, out of nowhere, gaffer Chip Lake runs toward the passenger side of the car with his light.
“Whoa whoa,” Curlee shouts, reaching for the steering wheel from the passenger seat.
On the playback, it looks as if another car’s bright headlights are about to collide with the Taurus.
“It’s amazing,” assistant director Quintin Bennett tells a few set visitors, “all the things you can do (on film) to make it look like something else.”
A message
Curlee, a Liberty University grad, founded Red Cloud a year and a half ago with the goal of creating socially responsible, faith-based films.
“There’s entertainment, and then there’s entertainment with a message,” he says. “We want to entertain people, but (also) have them walk away really thinking about their lives.”
Red Cloud’s first film was a short Curlee wrote called “Creasy.” It’s about a pharmaceutical representative trying to stay true to his convictions while dealing with the realities of corporate America.
It was a personal story for Curlee, who was a pharmaceutical salesman before founding Red Cloud.
“Most people want to do something else than what they’re doing. They gotta pay the bills, make a living,” he says. “I don’t want to have any regrets.”
“Max VO2” is another project that’s close to his heart. Curlee was born in South Korea and, at the age of 17, moved to the U.S. to race bicycles. He even competed in the 1992 Olympic trials, but eventually gave up the sport four years ago.
He wrote the script with Richmond-based writer Martin Montgomery.
“We wanted to do something unique, something edgy, something very exciting,” Curlee says.
Picking and choosing
After the car accident, Curlee’s character falls into a deep depression.
“Chris is a troubled soul,” says Curlee. “He (needs to) find his way back to God.”
He starts moving in that direction after an old friend convinces him to train rookie cyclist Jake, played by New York-based actor Michael Cuddire.
“He reluctantly takes him on, and the kid ends up mentoring him,” Curlee says.
In his co-star, Curlee has found someone with similar goals.
Cuddire and his wife are expecting a baby, and he says it’s changed the way he chooses work.
“So often, you get opportunities … (and) you see what it’s about, but you’re not thrilled about it,” Cuddire says. “It does make you think, ‘Is this something (my child) can see down the road?’ We’ve been picking and choosing a little more carefully these days.”
He says “Max VO2” fits the bill “more than you could know.
“It’s a positive message. It’s a family story with a wonderful backdrop of cycling.”
For race scenes, Curlee enlisted some of the best: professional racer and Pan American Games Gold Medalist Jeremiah Bishop and six-time world champion Chris Eatough, as well as a group local avid riders.
“To be able to bring that legitimacy on the set is a big part of it,” Curlee says.
He has spoken with a few distributors about buying the finished film and says he’s encouraged by the recent success of another Christian film, “Fireproof.” Made for $500,000, it was released last weekend and grossed $6.5 million in only 839 theaters.
“There are a lot of ways you can influence people,” Curlee says. “(Film) is one medium where you can reach millions.”
Staying put
Curlee and company began shooting “Max VO2” in September and expect to wrap next month. They’ve been filming all over town — at the Lynchburg Regional Airport last weekend, as well as Peaks View Park, Liberty’s Camp Hydaway and even Curlee’s own Forest home.
The talent in front of and behind the camera comes from as far away as Australia. That would be actor and Curlee pal Declan McGovern, for whom Curlee wrote the part of Dek, the tech expert on Chris’ bike team. McGovern has appeared on the popular Aussie soap “Neighbours,” which counts actors like Russell Crowe and “House” star Jesse Spencer among its alumni.
Ransford Doherty, who plays team director Xavier, is a Longwood University graduate who has guest-starred on TV shows like “NYPD Blue,” “Bones” and “The Closer,” and was in the 2005 Bruce Willis movie “Hostage.”
Behind the scenes, father-and-son sound engineers Freddy and Ferrick Hallaron, as well as director Burgess, are from Texas, and gaffer Chip Lake is from Seattle.
Curlee also found people close to home. Production manager Tessa Sturgill is a fellow LU graduate, while assistant director Quintin Bennett, production coordinator Marc Hutchins and key grip Andrew Potter all live in Roanoke.
On future productions, Curlee says he wants to combine the work of industry veterans with locals.
“There’s talent in the area that doesn’t get the opportunity to go to L.A. or New York,” he says.
And talk of Red Cloud relocating to a larger, more film-friendly city is likely out of the question.
“We don’t need to go anywhere else,” Curlee says. “Look at the scenery. It’s beautiful (here).
“Until you prove yourself, people don’t take you seriously,” he adds. “I think it’s important we stay true and work hard to establish ourselves.”
September 23, 2008 - Lynchburg, VA
Story by Jennifer Bowman, Liberty University's Champion
MaxVO2- Assault on Liberty Mountain
Ready, Set, Go! Hundreds of Cyclists took part in the “Assault on Liberty Mountain” race Saturday. The bike racewill also be included in the upcoming movie “Max VO2,” which filmed during the live race.
The race began at 11 a.m., Saturday Sept. 20, and took place on the Liberty Mountain Trail System.
“The Liberty Mountain Trail System consists of over 65 miles of single and double track trails and logging roads spanning approximately 5,000 acres,” according to Liberty’s trail information Web site. Many people were at the race on Saturday including those starring in the film “Max VO2.”
“For all of the racing classes, there were over 72 medals awarded to the cyclists,” Lars Larson said. Larson, one of the coordinators for the race helped greatly with the organization of the race and also renovated the trail extensively.
“I have worked on the trail since back in December. There are over 65 miles of trail total, however, the professional cyclist route is only 19.1 miles.” Larson said.
There were many cyclists at the race including an an actor and a professional cyclist who are starring in the movie.
“In my 18 years of cycling, I have raced all over the United States and the world,” two-time U.S. National Cycling Champion Jeremiah Bishop said. Bishop’s national champion status was earned in Short Track racing and Marathon Bike Racing.
Bishop, a professional cyclist, was contacted by Producer Scotty Curlee to help out with the upcoming movie “Max VO2.” “Scotty contacted me because he felt that the movie needed realistic action scenes, I will be doing a few tricks wile racing the trail too,” Bishop said. Not only did Curlee contact Bishop, but he also contacted actor Michael Cuddire. Cuddire, a resident of New York, is playing the character Jake in the movie.
“I found out about this opportunity to star in the movie on the Internet when I then contacted Scotty about it,” Cuddire said. “I have also had 19 years of experience with bikes and cycling.” Cuddire is one of the main characters in the movie and seemed very excited to have this opportunity. Producer Scotty Curlee was also at the race and starring in the film.
“There are several actors who will be a part of the race, and the film will be shot as live racing,” Curlee said. “There will not be any special stunts performed here.”
In the movie, there are many fictitious elements. Bishop, sponsored by Trek Volkswagen, also has fictitious sponsors in the movie.
“Red Reaction and H20 One are the two sponsors whose teams are duking it out in the movie,” Bishop said.
Overall, the race was a success and the filming went smoothly. “Most of the filming took place during Sunday’s race,” Curlee said. “The filming will be completed by the end of the event this weekend.”
The trail was a great resource for the movie and for the cyclists to use. Local cyclists and Liberty students from all classes were given the chance to race for medals. Also, the movie production progressed, bringing the movie one step closer to completion.
posted 9:58 pm Sat September 13, 2008 - Lynchburg, VA
Story by Manuel Quinones, WSET-13
Area Setting for Movie
A Lynchburg neighborhood looked like Hollywood Saturday. Peaks View Park was the site of a movie shoot. There were lots of actors on site, plenty of equipment and even fake blood.
Red Cloud Productions based in Forest is making a faith-based film called "Max VO2" and a lot of the shooting is happening right here in our area. It's about the spiritual journey of a cyclist who goes through tough times.
Scotty Curlee, Executive Producer - "It's just a wonderful faith based theme that families can go watch without having to worry about content. And it's a wonderful production to be a part of."
They're hoping to release the film by the Fall of 2009. And they still need extras.
Published: September 11, 2008
Casey Gillis - News & Advance
Extras needed for local movie
A local film production company needs hundreds of background extras for scenes in its latest film.
Shooting on Red Cloud Productions’ “Max Vo2: The Potential Inside,” which centers on the world of elite bicycle racing, begins this weekend.
Executive Producer, Scotty Curlee, needs the extras to stand in as spectators during race scenes to be shot, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Peaks View Park.
“We’ll have people there directing where the extras should go, and it’s going to be what we would call double track, [which is when], in mountain bike racing, there’s usually open sections where you sprint through and try to pass people,” said Lem Curran, Director of Marketing for Red Cloud Productions.
“That’s typically a good spectator part because it’s so open.”
The film is about a retired veteran cyclist who, after being involved in a car accident, reluctantly trains a rookie cycling prodigy.
Curlee founded Red Cloud in 2007 with the goal of creating socially responsible, positive films.
Shooting — and the need for extras — will continue throughout the month.
September 9, 2008 - Lynchburg, VA
Story by Emily DeFosse, Liberty University's Champion
Hollywood storms Liberty Mountain to film movie
Lights, camera, action! Hollywood is coming to Lynchburg … sort of. Part of an upcoming movie, “MAX VO2 — The Potential Inside,” will be filmed on Liberty Mountain this September.
Liberty alumnus Scotty Curlee is the executive producer of the movie “MAX VO2 – The Potential Inside.” Curlee graduated in 1997 with a degree in exercise science and business programming. Since graduation, he has received his MBA from Averett University, worked for a major pharmaceutical company and now works for Red Cloud Productions in the film industry.
According the film’s Web site, Maxvo2themovie.com, “MAX VO2 is the riveting action packed drama that takes you inside the never before seen world of elite bicycle racing.”
Curlee said the idea for the film developed from his own interest in bicycle racing and his life experiences as a follower of Christ.
“You stick to the things that you know best, and the things that we know best are professional bicycle racing and pharmaceuticals, because those are the few areas I’ve spent a majority of my life in,” Curlee said
Liberty students have the opportunity to be extras in the film. Various racing scenes in the film will be shot at Peaks View Park Sept. 13-14. Another racing scene will be shot on Sept. 20-21 on the Liberty Mountain trails. The scene will be a part of the “Assault on Liberty Mountain scene,” which is part of the Virginia DeRailer Series.
Students are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of the race. Volunteering to help in the event may be counted as Christian service hours.
“Students can get involved — as many as we can get to enjoy the race or participate in the race. They are more than welcome to enjoy and spectate,” Trail Manager Lars Larson said. “If they want to come and get Christian service hours, they can come and help direct at different intersections on the course and make sure the riders stay on track.”
The movie is about more than just bicycle racing and the Christian faith, it is part of a new movement to produce quality Christian films.
“We are bringing in an international cast in which we have professional bicycle racers, and we are doing that with a theme that is faith based,” Curlee said
Curlee hopes that the impact of this movie will be global, since no other medium has the potential to reach such a large assortment of people.
“Changing the world through cinema is important because it’s a medium that transcends ethnicities and boundaries,” Curlee said.
“We’re talking about millions, possibly billions of people. There are not a lot of movements that can reach that many people across the world.”
Director of Marketing for Red Cloud Productions Lem Curran, is helping the film to reach those millions of people. According to Curran, the film has currently been marketed in 72 countries and over 2,000 cities throughout the world.
For more information on how to get involved, students can visit the film’s Web site at www.maxvo2themovie.com. For information on how to earn Christian service hours e-mail Lars Larson at llarson@liberty.edu.
- Award Winning Crew
- Top Christian Musician
- World Class Cyclists
Max VO2 Calculator
Enter the total distance (meters) you ran in 12 minutes and then press the 'Calculate' button.
| Greg Lemond | 92.5 |
| Lance Armstrong | 85 |
| Jeremiah Bishop | 84 |
| Hunter Allen | 74 |
| Pro Endurance Athlete | 70 |
| Average Person | 35 |
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