Setting up for the scene between Rebekah and Little Jake
with the wind blimp for noise reduction.
CM: Your home area in Southern Alberta was great for a western movie. Did your location influence the script theme? JJ: Very much so! The scenery suited the western theme beautifully and added a ton to the film. A tip to filmmakers: work with what you have and what is unique to you!
CM: Whose house and farm did you use for your sets?
JJ: Most of the locations are “in our back yard,” so to speak. The outside of Isaac's and Rebecca's home was about 20 minutes away and owned by an elderly lady. Her house was built in the late 1800's, so it was authentic for a western movie. For the inside of the house, we used an old trailer home that was about a 1/4 mile away and tried to transform it to look like an 1800's home. We worked with what we had and spent less than 300 dollars making the film.
CM: There were a lot of anachronisms in Little Jake and Harry (e.g. Isaac's "my bad"). Were they purposeful? What purpose did they serve?
JJ: Yes, some were purposeful, some were ad lib. The purpose for them, I guess, was to show people that we were not taking ourselves too seriously and that we were not trying to make some epic western movie.
CM: Did Jesse Jost write the screenplay with an idea of who would play the characters? If so, did he tailor the lines for certain people?
JJ: Yeah, Jesse had a good idea of who was going to play what characters. Because he tailored the lines to the actors, the lines sound fairly natural, in my opinion.
CM: Dale Jost, who played the Indian chief, was hilarious in his role. How much of that silliness came naturally?
JJ: Dad kind of surprised all of us with his performance of Laban! He did such a great job and added some real color to the film.
Director and producer Joel Jost filming on set
CM: How many times did Heidi Jost kick the sketch book in your face while filming the Rebekah and Little Jake scene on the prairie?
JJ: I think it was about five or six times.
CM: Did you all, as actors and actresses, have as much fun filming as it looks like you had?
JJ: Yes, it was a ton of fun! But it was also a lot of work and had its moments of discouragement!
CM: What are the top three things you wish you had known before you started this film parody?
JJ: 1) Number one would probably be how important it is to have your production planned out, even down to every shot. I knew this, but confirmed it throughout the production. I wish I had done more pre-production for the project.2) Make sure you are happy with what you are getting on the set! If you are not happy with it on set, you will not be happy with it in the editing room! 3) If you are directing the film, don't be a lead actor.
CM: What skills and background in film did you bring to Little Jake and Harry coming in, and what did you have to learn as you went along?
JJ: Not all that much, really. Before Little Jake and Harry, I had only done short films here and there. So making LJH was a big learning experience. I was only 18 during most of the production.
CM: What was the most significant lesson that God taught you, from a personal standpoint, during the making of this western parody?
JJ: I think the main things that God taught me through the production were that I cannot rely on myself, and to die to myself daily. I need to look to Him for strength and wisdom in everything.
CM: Do you have a next film project planned?
JJ: We have a few ideas in the works for a feature film, but for now I will be making some short films to help hone my skills.
CM: How may people purchase Little Jake and Harry?
JJ: You can purchase a copy of Little Jake and Harry at www.LittleJakeandHarry.com. It is $15.00, plus shipping and handling.
Christian-Movie.com Christian Movie Reviews:
Little Jake and Harry
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