SET CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

Staunton Hill 2008
(Kill Room Set)
Jeremy Zerechak, Production Designer and Construction Coordinator

The Set.   The script of Staunton Hill inspired this set.  It’s design called for a secret 1950s underground surgical room that served a depraved family whose black market human organ-harvesting racket supported them for decades.  The room was understood to be located underneath a large barn in rural Virginia.
Construction.   The set was a 480 square foot 24 x 20 wooden structure that was designed for mobility and versatility in various shooting environments.  The floor is constructed of nine removable sound insulated panels and covered with linoleum.  The walls are partitioned into six separate wheeled sections that can be moved out from the floor for the demands of the production. 

Design.   For the dingy basement look of the set, the walls were specially coated with spackling and effects painted to enhance their weathered texture.   The dirty sandstone at the bottom quadrant of the walls was shaped from slabs of foam then painted to achieve their earthy look.

ART DESIGN AND SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION

Staunton Hill 2008 (Power Wheelchair)
Jeremy Zerechak, Production Designer and Construction Coordinator

   This unique wheelchair was created for the grandmother character of Geraldine in Staunton Hill.  The chair was built on the metal frame of a modern power wheelchair fitted with a wooden sub frame from which it was made to look like a 50’s era homemade power wheelchair.  Keeping in mind the location and look of the film, the chair was designed to look like a farmer’s workbench contraption. 
The chair was maneuvered by the wooden control arm that was retro fitted over the existing controls from the modern wheelchair’s electronics. The chair was also fitted with a small gas engine in the rear to give the appearance of it being tractor inspired. The actor was able to easily control the chair, hit marks and execute blocking during takes.

SPECIALTY RIG CONSTRUCTION

Bamboo Shark 2008 (Towed Wheelchair Rig)
Jeremy Zerechak, Specialty Rig Construction

   This vehicle dolly welded design allowed the camera to capture a shot from the back of the tow vehicle that featured the character rolling out of control down the street in a wheelchair.  The custom wheelchair frame was fabricated out of 12-guage square tubular steel welded to heavy plates that were bolted down to the vehicle dolly. 
The height of the chair’s wheels were adjustable to allow the wheels to turn on altering slopes of road at the same rate of speed as the rig was being towed. The seat was also fitted with a frame-mounted seatbelt for the actor’s safety.  When implemented on the road, the rig offered a safe and super realistic effect of a high speed, out of control wheelchair. 

SPECIALTY RIG CONSTRUCTION

East of Jesus 2007 (Special Vehicle Camera Mount)
Jeremy Zerechak, Designer

   This camera support rig was designed to safely mount a camera to capture the vehicle’s wheel skidding.  The mount had to provide a rigid and secure platform in order for the camera to shoot a stable shot even when the vehicle’s brakes were harshly applied to lock up the wheel.