San Genesio Entertainment
by Industrious Family
The Outlaws of Ravenhurst
George Abell is happily living a farmer boy life in colonial America. When his foreign uncle, Sir Roger, claims him and takes him to Scotland to be the Earl of Ravenhurst--the much longed for Protestant Earl of Ravenhurst, no one can imagine what will happen next. Matters get desperate when Sir Roger and his sly comrade, Godfrey, cannot bend the new Gordon's will.
"There is nothing worth buying, not fast horses nor fine houses, not even a place in the king’s court, if the price to pay is the fires of hell forever more."
San Genesio
Christian civilization has given beautiful music, inspiring dramas, and
heavenly paintings to the world. Sadly, in modern times, art has become
profane which can especially be seen in the depraved movies that pour
out of Hollywood. Most movies are an assault on our Catholic
sensibilities. This is discouraging! That is why we have started our own
movie making company, San Genesio Entertainment. Movies like The War of
the Vendee, The Reluctant Saint and The Passion inspire us, make us
laugh and increase our devotions. More movies like these must be
produced! All over America, a growing number of Catholics realize that
there is a need to reform the movie making industry. San Genesio
Entertainment is proud to contribute to this effort as we reclaim the
art of film making one wholesome movie at a time.
San Genesio Entertainment specializes in children’s cinema, a genre all
of its own. “Unless you be converted, and become as little children,
you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3) We can
change the movie making industry because of the children who we surround
ourselves with. Children have a profound sense of good because they
still have their baptismal innocence and because of this innocence they
possess the tools that it takes to present the Faith to a post-Christian
society. We must be converted, become like children, and enjoy
wholesome, Catholic movies and entertainment. We must inspire and be
inspired by the innocence and wholesomeness of Catholic children’s
cinema.
Movies have a profound effect on us, be it for good or bad. With this in
mind, all our productions stress virtue and demonstrate holiness. We
have made several music videos and short films on the lives of the
saints and interesting moments in history. Our first full length movie,
Outlaws of Ravenhurst, stresses the importance of the right to true
worship. It reminds us of our past and encourages us to hope in the
future, come what may. This summer we premiere our second film, Max &
Carlota, a tale torn between loyalty and betrayal, brotherly love and
hate, Catholic monarchy and Liberal democracy. Currently in
pre-production is Grisly Grisell, a Catholic story about a disfigured
damsel who is living proof that beauty is more than skin deep. Our
movies will always celebrate Catholic culture; in this way San Genesio
Entertainment encourages youth to rebuild the culture of art, drama,
film and entertainment for the greater glory of God.
-Mary Bowen
Process
I started on the script back in 2012. When it was almost done, the
computer crashed and we (well, my sister. I did was still rather
devastated) had to start all over again three years later.
I gathered a small following of older homeschoolers who were interested
in helping make the movie. (The time commitment of the project lost the
attention of some of the team and they slowly slipped off the wagon.)
Our first group meeting was in May 2017. Our first shoot day was in
August. Our last shoot was in June 2018. It took a little under a year
to film.
After we finished the first 30 minutes of movie we showed it to the
actors and families in January. The day after this mini premiere, Fr.
Stephan got busy and had to bow out of the movie. I replaced him with a
new actor. I also moved the original Sir Roger to Muckle John and pulled
in a new actor to be Roger. Then the actress for Lady Margaret could not
make it to shoots any more. I had no one to fill this position so I
quickly filled in and co-starred in my own movie.
Some scenes were so hard to get out! The tough scenes that needed to be
shot several times were the coach scene (shot 3 times), the scene when
Lady Margaret and Gordon talk (shot 4 times) and the tunnel scene (shot
4 times).
My very shy father gave me the best encouragement when he volunteered to
act Sir Angus Gordon who was beheaded in the film. My mother was at
every shoot, doing make-up, holding boom poles and acting as the
assistant director. I could not have done it without her. My sister and
brothers help out a ton as well. Faustina was script supervisor, Mammy
Abell and filled countless extra roles. Michael was the equipment
manager and Sir James Gordon. And Becket played the main role as the
Gordon.
One of the most exciting elements to Outlaws of Ravenhurst was that we
got to film and have our premiere at a castle! Our Dutch location host
was called "The King" by all the cast.
It felt so good drawing towards the end of shooting and having actors
one at a time being done forever. It was really great when the first of
the three main actors, Godfrey, was done.
Moms contributed to catering at the shoots. I do not think there was
ever so much healthy food at a children's project event!
The greatest highlight to the premiere was that Jim Morlino came out to
California to attend! He gave a speech on the importance of Catholic
moviemaking. You cannot imagine the bullets of sweat that I produced
when I could not get the movie to project on the screen before the
expectant audience!!! After minor technical difficulties and many
desperate prayers the movie started to play and the audience cheered and
clapped. The children sat in the front row and were thrilled to see
themselves on the big screen. The movie turned out great and got rave
reviews from the audience.
The entire project cost a little over $5000. We made money through car
washes and the generous donations of those who believed in us.
-Director Mary Bowen