Ever since watching the The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition, I’ve had a love affair with the process of filming, especially with what happens behind the scenes. It’s where everything that makes a good film first comes together, and its mysteries entice me. So, when Director and good friend Ron Newcomb (Rise of the Fellowship, Made in the USA: The 30 Day Journey) extended the invitation to visit The Rangers filming location, my inner Nancy Drew kicked in and I readily accepted his offer.
Despite what you may be thinking, The Rangers is not a TV drama filmed in Texas. Think Shire-like hills, rolling mountains, lush green forests, beautiful Elves, and a host of Aragorns in some rather nice-looking leather, battling Orcs. A new fantasy web series, The Rangers follows a group of soldiers founded by King Aenarion, who put them in place to guard the borders of the Kingdom of Olaran. Throughout the series, viewers will follow Ranger leader Brander Noke (Wolf) and his expert team as they have many adventures and face challenges together, all the while wrestling with their own personal demons.
Stepping onto the filming location in Rappahannock County Virginia, I felt like I had crossed some hidden portal and landed myself in a far-off mystic world. Suddenly, eating breakfast with Elves, laughing alongside Orcs, and taking a stroll with Rangers wasn’t anything out of the norm. Without hesitation, I was welcomed and accepted as one of the Rangers family, and was even allowed to clap the slate a time or two.
So, just how does a day of filming The Rangers run? Before anything, know that sleep is not part of filming’s agenda. No, filming laughs in the faces of those who believe otherwise. Cast and crew have to wake up early in order to prepare for a day’s shoot, and that usually means before the sun is up. Once on set, the scene becomes a beehive of activity as folks show up and coffee is consumed. Cast members are sent to wardrobe where they don the day’s costumes and then patiently sit as the makeup artists do their magic. Meanwhile the crew plans out which cameras are going where and who’s doing what. Before you know it, the first scene of the day is ready to be filmed. And that’s a beast all in itself.
Sound and light are two of the biggest parts of filming I had never really considered before. For an actor who has to deliver his/her line over and over again, only to be interrupted by an airplane or distant sound of a mower in the middle of all that, it can be exhausting work. So much feeds into capturing just one scene! But eventually, the director is satisfied with what’s been captured and the cast and crew move onto another scene at another location. Before you know it, filming has wrapped and sets are broken down. With the end of filming comes the beginning of editing, and I can assure you it’s no simple task. But once all those pieces come together, you’re left with the best part, seeing the film you envisioned become a reality.
I owe many of my fond memories to the cast and crew who, behind the scenes, worked tirelessly on their assigned tasks. Seemingly oblivious to the rainy weather, they pushed on through, keeping cameras rolling. Talent could be found around every turn, whether in artists, technicians, actors, or at times, all three. Line after line was delivered without fail until the director was satisfied. Everyone’s joint passions worked together to create a fantastical story for fans the world over to enjoy.
All those involved with The Rangers web series poured their heart, soul, and talent into it, which is why I know I’ll be a fan for years to come. It’s one thing to do a job, it’s another to do a job you love. And without a doubt, when fans finally get to see this web series, that passion will shine through each scene they watch.
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To all those I met on The Rangers set, thank you for your friendship, encouragement, and above all, sharing such wonderful memories with me.
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