Animus Cross - A.L. Steen

Posted by Steve on 5 May 2010 | 0 Comments

Tell us about your sci-fi web series.

Animus Cross is a dark western fantasy set in the wilds of 1860's frontier Idaho. The series takes its name from a settlement in Northern Idaho where strange, murderous creatures tend to keep the population small. The sheriff, pastor and a handful of others fight a constant battle to keep the remaining populace from being devoured by the darkness.

Where did the idea/concept for your web series come from?

Animus Cross was inspired by rap artist JRemy's music video, "You Don't Know Me," directed by Jason Satterlund.

Name some of your sci-fi influences. Any favorite movies, TV shows, novels?

Firefly and the movie Dog Soldiers were big influences. Author Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series was great inspiration for the writing of Animus Cross.

Tell us about the technical production of your show. What camera & equipment did you use? Editing software & hardware? For visual effects, etc?

Season one of Animus Cross was shot on the HVX200 and lit using a couple HMI's and less than a handful of smaller lights. Season two was shot on the Canon 5D and 7D with only a slightly larger lighting set-up.

Can you tell us any interesting facts or trivia about your show? Any funny stories?

The entire first series of Animus Cross was shot on one piece of 20 acre property in Sagle, ID on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. When the scene called for a new location, nine times out of ten the camera was simple turned 180 degrees.

Shooting on Series I was interrupted when a yearling moose wandered through the set on his way to the lake for a quick dip. You can see some footage of "Oscar" the moose at the Animus Cross website, in the Series 1 section (look for the video labeled "Animoose Crossing."

Animus Cross is truly a family affair - Series creator A.L. Steen is married to star Jerry Buxbaum, and David Steen (who plays Pastor Carver) is her father. Keeping up with the trend, Harold Phillips (who plays Henry Foray) is married to Trish Egan (Judith Wilson).

Animus Cross recently launched Season 2 on April 28, 2010. You can find Animus Cross online here and on Facebook here.

Animus Cross - SciFinal Page

Additional behind the scene photos from the set of Animus Cross below:

 

Writer-Director-Producer A.L. Steen hard at "work".

Golden hour on location for Animus Cross

Jerry Buxbaum torching a wagon on location for Animus Cross

Night location shoot for Animus Cross