Westender (2003)

Director:

Brock Morse

Writers:

Jefferson O.S. Brassfield (writer)
Brock Morse (story)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Set in a fictional medieval world, this is the story of Asbrey of Westender. Once a great heroic knight...

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Blake Stadel	...	Asbrey of Westender
Rob Simonsen	...	Glim
John Rankin	...	Garner
Darlene Dadras	...	Sarin
Rod James	...	The Old Man
Ron Wright	...	Bandit
Hans Hlawaty	...	Bandit
David Shelofsky	...	Bandit
Shawn Kottmeier	...	Bandit
Daniel Snyder	...	Bandit
Christa Kepshire	...	Slave Girl
Monica Graves	...	Slave Girl
Keri Warr	...	Slave Girl
Maren McGuire	...	Slave Girl
Ann Oxenhandler	...	Jarlishan Mother
Tyler Morse	...	Jarlishan Boy
Mary Brush	...	Jarlishan Girl
Steven Huerta	...	Jarlishan Slave Trader
Rolf Nordhausen	...	Jarlishan Slave Trader
Ryan Honey	...	Dying Soldier
Dublin Briggs	...	Chanting Soldier
Guy Barber	...	General
Harry Oxenhandler	...	Tavern Officer
John Nichols	...	Tavern Officer
Jesse Lawler	...	The Frozen Knight
Richard Mathews	...	The Voice of the King
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kari Gjone	...	Laytha
Jesse Nordhausen	...	Jarlishan Slaver
Jeff Richardson	...	Armored fighter
Rick Wadkins	...	Angry Soldier

Directed by
Brock Morse

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Jefferson O.S. Brassfield		writer
Brock Morse		story

Produced by
Hans Hlawaty	....	producer
Ryan Honey	....	associate producer
Brock Morse	....	producer

Original Music by
Rob Simonsen

Cinematography by
Matt Molitor

Film Editing by
Brock Morse

Art Direction by
Bonnie Lyall

Costume Design by
Ann Botterweg
Brock Morse

Makeup Department
Kellian Allen	....	hair designer
Kellian Allen	....	makeup designer

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Hans Hlawaty	....	first assistant director (uncredited)
Ryan Honey	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Alisha Guthery	....	art department assistant
Laura Kepshire	....	art department assistant
Bonnie Lyall	....	props
Jacquline Yerly	....	art department assistant

Sound Department
Douglas Edge	....	sound recordist
Jason T. Edwards	....	sound designer
Jason T. Edwards	....	sound re-recording mixer
Hans Hlawaty	....	sound designer
Randi Jacobs	....	location sound
Jesse Nordhausen	....	sound designer
Jesse Nordhausen	....	sound recordist
Randi Jacobs	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Eric Stolberg	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Stunts
Jeff Richardson	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Consentino	....	electrician
John Nichols	....	key grip
J. Owen Rogers	....	director of photography: second unit (as Jason Rogers)
J. Owen Rogers	....	first assistant camera (as Jason Rogers)
Mark Roush	....	second assistant camera
T.J. Tollefson	....	gaffer

Editorial Department
Bruce Bolden	....	colorist
Brae Norwiss	....	editing consultant

Music Department
Jason Edwards	....	music mixer
Andrew Lane	....	conductor
Rebecca Oswald	....	orchestrator
Rob Simonsen	....	music producer
Rob Simonsen	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Vincent Aszman	....	custom leather and armor work
Marty Baggen	....	titles
Douglas Bailey	....	custom leather and armor work
Douglas Bailey	....	fight choreographer
Ben Browne	....	production assistant
Cameron Crouse	....	film transfer
Shawn Dyrdahl	....	production assistant
Scott Goodrich	....	horse wrangler
Kit Kelly Laam	....	horse wrangler
Beth Lyall	....	wolf handler
Bonnie Lyall	....	titles
Jeff Miholer	....	legal affairs
Kim Turpin	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• M.O.B Productions

Distributors

• Intergroove Media (2013) (Germany) (DVD)
• Lightyear Entertainment
• MIG Film (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Safecracker Pictures (2012) (UK) (DVD)
• Starmedia Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Transformer (2005) (Japan) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Digital One  sound post-production

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence

Runtime:

USA:105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Oregon, USA

Company:

M.O.B Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When Asbrey takes the sword from the frozen soldier, the soldiers head/body position changes several times.

A Good First Effort

Considering the film was done with a very small budget by a first time film-maker, "Westender" is a noble effort and has many quality bits. There are a few snags here and there, but most of these will fade with experience.

The story follows a down on his luck knight in a medieval fantasy world. After a night of hard drinking and gambling, Sir Asbrey of Westend bets and loses a precious ring. The movie follows his journey to reclaim his ring, and of course along the way rediscover himself and what truly matters.

To get the negatives out of the way, "Westender" felt much longer than the hour and forty-five minutes it was. Many scenes, while beautifully shot, could be tightened. There are simply too many long environment shots that do not movie the story forward. A few of the actors, mostly first timers themselves I imagine, that are a bit wooden in acting and line delivery -- some less than stellar dialog surely contributes to this. As long as the movie felt, it left several plot lines dangling without closure.

On a more positive note, as I mentioned earlier, the film is visually beautiful. It proves that a quality director goes further than a big budget. Scene composition, lighting and movement are all handled really well. The score to the film really helps to compliment the wonderful shots.

Overall, a strong premiere for a new director. There is certainly room for improvement, but many of the fundamentals are here and very strong. I look forward to future films.