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VIXEN HIGHWAY (2001)

MORE STILLS AND PRODUCTION INFO

 

 
 

 

Vixen Highway was shot on digital video format using two to three cameras for each set-up. Pre-production began with director John Ervin in June of 2000. An open and invitational casting call was held at the Acadia Theater in Minneapolis in July of that year, with over one-hundred-and-fifty applicants competing for all speaking and non-speaking roles.
 

 

 

    
   
Rehearsals with the cast took place throughout the month of August, in conjunction with the scouting and procurement of locations in rural and urban Minnesota. The expedition for props was lead by Michael Way. Deborah Fiscus designed and procured costumes with the assistance of Cyndi Kurtz. Cinematographer Greg Yolen was brought on board in July of 2000 and assembled a crack team of lighting and sound personnel.
   
   
   
Among these "crackers" was: Darren Roarke, who acted as second camera operator and is also a leading expert on the cinema of Russ Meyer: Dennis Baringer, whose mastery of lighting has earned him the nickname "Uber"; and Guy Chase, whose finesse with lighting and electronics has earned him the nickname "Guy." Ron Johnson, boom operator and director of several shorts of his own, led the sound team. He also acted as director John Ervin’s personal chauffeur and valet. Mr. Ervin was also kept informed and on his toes by his assistant director Adam Sekuler and second assistant director Leah Haider, both of whom were saddled with the onerous task of contacting cast and crew about call times and locations.
         
     
   
Shooting took place during the month of September 2000 in these locales, which covered a broad spectrum of Minnesota tundra. These included Highway 55 in Medina, Steve Pool’s Auto Body Repair in Rockford, Bobby and Steve’s Convenience Emporium in Columbia Heights, Saunders Therapy Center in Saint Paul, Harmony Box Studios in Minneapolis, the homes of Jean and John Ervin, Jr., Frances Wilkinson and Bill Collins, also in Minneapolis, as well as the Maple Grove estate of Sir Michael Way.
 
     
 
Post production began in February, 2001 at Left, Right and Center Studios of Milwaukee, WI under the supervision of Dan Kattman of Speakeasy Films, Inc. Once the visual cuts were complete, a sound mix was made by Dan Kattman. Twenty-five music tracks were provided for the soundtrack by twelve very different artists. These included trans glam rockers All the Pretty Horses, folk artists Rebekka Fisher and Lisa Kane, jazz impressario Bruce Rudolph, prog techies Pleasant Stitch and sixties’ soul veterans Danny’s Reasons. A final cut was completed in November, 2001.
 

 

 

    
   

All in all, the production saga of Vixen Highway was a textbook case of talent and ingenuity triumphing over budget and time constraints. The shooting of a feature film in Minnesota under these circumstances was just shy of a miracle. The shooting a feature film in Minnesota that pays tribute one of the most outlandish and eccentric filmmakers in movie history WAS a miracle. But, to paraphrase and blend the two most famous lines from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, "we strapped on this happening and freaked everyone out!"
 
 

 
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BERLIN PRODUCTIONS
presents
A JOHN ERVIN FILM

VIXEN HIGHWAY

WRITER, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR
John Ervin

Cast
Carolyn Hauck …Severa Nazareth
Miki Ann Mosman …Loretta Lynch
Angela Giaj …Fiona Petrova
Stephen D'Ambrose …Bobby Barzel
Robert Elliott …Emilio Visconti
David Quimby …Demetrius Delveccio
Charles Hubbell …Elroy Lee Lewis
Mitchell Hansch …Scoop Aaron Presely
Michael Way …Larry Hugh Hawkins
Eve Overland …Thyrza Goodeve
Jeff Gilson …Lance Oralby
Analiese …Bertha Buxtrom
Juliette Dannucci …Sadie Mae Cluck
Melanie Kim …Olga Reinhardt
Ann Tait …Dr. Jayne Mansfield
Ghenrietta Libby …Domino Sullivan, Attorney at Law
Heidi Fellner …Superintendent Haji
Lisa Cole …Dr. Plenty O'Toole
Cyndi Kurtz …Dr. Nadine The Sex Machine
Jessica Huennekens …Sheila Shades

Crew
Greg Yolen …Director of Photography
Darren Roarke …additional camera
Jon Anderson …Editor
Dan Kattman …Sound Editing and Mixing
Ron Johnson …Sound Recordist/Boom Operator
Adam Sekuler …Assistant Director
Leah Haider …Assistant Director
Michael Way …Prop Master
Deborah Fiscus …Costume Designer
All The Pretty Horses …Music
Danny's Reasons …Music
Bruce Rudolph …Music
Rebekka Fisher …Music
Lisa Kane …Music
Rebekka Fisher …Music
Victoria Petrov …Music
Peter Man …Music
The Hot Sauce Orchestra …Music
Bhudda Love Joy …Music
Headfriendly …Music
The Ruling Class …Music
Pleasant Stitch …Music
John Wonderling …Music

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