Purgatory, USA – Ep 5 Read Thru

Last night the cast of Episode 5, called “Y-N-V,” met to have a read thru of the script. Dorothea and Tiffany return as Nikki and Babs, while Catherine Szeltner and Tim Osterhout joined us as important minor characters.

The script revolves around the concept of envy as Babs and Nikki both try for the same internship at a local Christian radio station. We’ll be shooting at Tiffany’s house next Friday, at Devine Communications all day Saturday, and Sophia’s restaurant Sunday morning.

Over the summer it took us four days to shoot these episodes. This time we only have 2 1/2, so we’ll have to be efficient and quick.

It was really nice to get with the leads again and revisit the characters. It feels like its been years since we wrapped Episode four. I feel privileged that the Lord has asked us to make another one, so, no matter the obstacles in front of us, we’re going to do our best.

We’ll have more updates and pics in the near future.

PUSA – BTS Interview 06

In this interview PUSA behind-the-scenes interview, the cast members talk about how they reconnect with their faith when dealing with troubling times.

Check it out!

PUSA – BTS Interview 05

The fifth behind-the-scenes interview of Purgatory, USA is now online.  In this interview writer/director Pete Bauer talks about the inspiration behind the creation of Episode 2 and how we must always place Jesus first in our lives.

Check it out.

PUSA – Episode 2 Viewership Way Down

The total views of PUSA are substantially smaller this episode then the pilot episode. On the first episode, we had over 100 views on the second day alone. On the second episode we haven’t hit 100 after five days.

I think the causes of this are varied:

1. Not as many people are telling their friends about PUSA this time.
2. There is no way for me to contact those first episode viewers to let them know the second episode is available.
3. I know that many people watched the second episode as part of a group, so the individual views that would have been counted only count as one.
4. People may just not like the second episode as much as the first.
5. “Sequelitis” – maybe people were intrigued by the pilot episode because the characters and situation were new, but this subsequent episode doesn’t offer as much new information.

I was hoping that a LOT more people would sign up to be Sonlight Pictures Angels for a few important reasons. It allows me to contact them and let them know of the next episode’s release. As a matter of fact, SLP Angels were able to go in early and watch the second episode prior to the official release date. Second, since we ask for their zip code, I had hoped we could find out where people are located and work on scheduling some sort of event with the cast and fans.

But, since the number of people who’ve signed up to be SLP Angels is far less than a LOT, my goal for using that communication method as a way to inform people of upcoming episode releases is not being met.

Perhaps it’s the fact that we’re releasing these once a month… maybe it’s out of sight and out of mind. People just haven’t thought about checking back to see what’s what.

My overall hope and goal was that each episode would build one upon the other. This would provide us with enough real data to determine how many more episodes we should plan on creating.

We already have plans on shooting episode five in November, but if viewership does not increase dramatically, I doubt there will be many more made. The amount of work is pretty massive and if we end up only making these for family and friends, well, that wasn’t the intent of the scope of the project.

All in all, it’s just an experiment. We’ll learn and grow and move on. I’ve grown impatient at times, but the Lord keeps telling me to wait before changing course… so I wait.

Purgatory, USA – Episode 2 is Now Online!

The second episode of Purgatory, USA is now online!

Check it out! Let us know what you think.

SLP Angels Get Sneak Peek!

People who have signed up to be Sonlight Pictures Angels, our prayer partners, have been given an advanced screening online of Purgatory, USA Episode 2! Public viewing will be made available this weekend, but SLP Angels can watch it online right now.

Don’t miss out on this and future goodies by signing-up to be one of our Angels today!

Purgatory, USA – BTS Interview 04

We’ve posted the last of our interviews prior to the release of Episode 2 this weekend.  Click on Pic to watch.

In this interview the cast discusses how much they are like or unlike their characters.

PUSA – Ep02 Countdown

We’ve added a countdown clock on airing the next episode of Purgatory, USA on the front page of our Sonlight Pictures website as well as the PurgatoryUSA.com website.

SLP Website

PUSA Website

Now you’ll know how long until the next episode airs!

PUSA – Interview #3 Online

We now have our third of twelve interviews online. This interview talks about the type of stories we tell.  Some of the info is what I’ve covered on the blog, but since it’s me talking, it should be vastly more interesting.

We’ve also added a Purgatory, USA interview page, where you can check back for the lastest and greatest.

Purgatory, USA – RetroPure

One of the most interesting and unexpected comments I’ve heard about Purgatory, USA is that it is retropure.  What does that mean?  As my brother told me, “My sixteen year old son has never seen a show like this.  It’s very retro.  It’s so sweet, like Leave It To Beaver or the Andy Giffith Show.  A sweet show with a message learned at the end.”

I never even considered that.  Amazing that today’s youth have never been exposed to simple, sweet shows that are not laced with sexual innuendo, dysfunctional marriages and gutter-like morals.

That’s a sad state for American TV.  But, it does give Purgatory, USA a unique place in the entertainment spectrum.