Mary filming Outlaws of Ravenhurst with our first camera

In 2012 I watched Navis Pictures The War of The Vandee. I was fascinated that it was possible to create movies with a cast of children.

Not only fascinated, I was inspired.

A short while after that, my three brothers, my sister and I pooled money together to buy a Canon Camcorder.

This was just the beginning of our movie making endeavors. It was actually my mom who encouraged us to make a full length film with the homeschoolers. I remember that my dad had read a book that just sat on the shelf. As a little kid I remember looking at the pictures but was never very interested in the story or ever wanted to read it. My dad told us it was a good story and told me I should read it. I think I was 12.

Script on Final Draft Software

I was so excited, I got to work right away on the script. I spent many months on the work.

Alas! I was just rounding the climax when the Gordon finds poor James locked under the castle, when the computer crashed. I was devastated! I was so close! If only we could save all the work I had put into that script!

But no, it was all gone...We could only save it if we put several hundreds of dollars to extract files from the dead computer.

I was so disappointed that I would not approach the project for three years. (Dad was disappointed too. He lost all his music.)

Three or four years later, Faustina took up the project where I left off. She faithfully copied the spineless book into a gorgeous screen play. It took her a full year to complete it. Mom read the script out loud, Jim Morlino read it, Fr. Pentergraft read it and after some edits, it was perfect!

Editing Outlaws of Ravenhurst

Our first shoot day was in August of 2017. Our last shoot was in June 2018. We premiered Outlaws of Ravenhurst on July 21, 2018. 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 with so I jumped in and starred in my own movie.

The tough scenes that needed to be shot several times were the coach scene (shot 3 times), the scene with Lady Margaret and the Gordon in the Earl's Room (shot 4 times) and the tunnel scene (shot 3 times).

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 characters, Godfrey, was done. 

Moms contributed to catering at the shoots. I don't think there was ever so much healthy food at a children's project event!

Jim Morlino gives his speech on the importance of reclaiming Christian art. On the right, left to right: Mary and Faustina Bowen, James Phillips and Michael Bowen.

The premiere was a smashing hit! Noz Kasteel was a perfect venue, and we were honored to have Mr. and Mrs. Noz in attendance. Jim Morlino flew from Connecticut to be at the premiere.

The premiere included classy concessions, a directing Q&A, a hugely successful silent auction. Our evening's highlight was meeting and hearing Mr. Jim Morlino's speech about the importance of reclaiming the culture through the arts.

The movie was very awesome as well. The actors sat in the front row and were thrilled to see themselves on the big screen.

After minor technical difficulties and many desperate prayers the movie turned out great and got rave reviews!

Jonah Lawrence as Sir Roger

My favorite part about acting was being able to be someone else. To be that person for just that day. Trying to be the best kind of person that you are acting as.

The things that I liked least about acting was wearing the kilt. Obviously no one likes remembering their lines and the long shoot days but it is the price you pay.

I like how Sir Roger was a very assertive man who was there, said what he said and was blunt about it. He got to yell. I like to yell.

Michael Bowen as Sir James

My favorite thing about acting is dressing up and getting a chance to hang out and goof off with my friends.

I do not like having to memorize my lines.

My favorite scene was the ocean scene in the end because I got to go to Monterey Bay.

Frank Lawrence as John Abell

What I liked the most about acting was having fun hanging out with friends and going to the different set locations.

For me, the hardest part about acting was watching myself in the footage later.

Some traits that I like about my character is that he is a commanding father and his children obey him.

Paul Barron as Edwin

I really enjoyed acting and being introduced to other people.

The hardest part about acting was just standing with your feet in the same place between cut and action.

I like how Edwin had all the inside information and knew what was going on when he was thought to be fooled.

Luke Cavanaugh as Young James

I like that I can pretend that I am someone else in a different time period.

The hardest part about acting is remembering my lines and acting them out.

I like that Jamie becomes an Earl of Ravenhurst.

Clare Anderson as Young Margaret

What I liked the most about acting was when I got to go on the roof of Castle Noz. I liked seeing my friends every time I acted.

The hardest part about acting was standing for an hour.

Grace O'Brien as Noble #1

I liked speaking. I also liked the good guys and the bad guys and watching the fight at the mass.

The hardest part was trying to get it just loud enough, but not too loud.

My favorite shoot location was the castle!