We're now almost fully cast. We have a Jen and are just seeking a Lucas, but have a few possibilities per. Our Art Director, Mari's boyfriend Jeff, has graciously (and excitedly, I might add) agreed to have his face covered in Alginate for a life-cast, then covered in a thick latex mask with his mouth held open for about 45 minutes straight, while hanging upside down from a tree brand in a swamp, wearing nothing but a latex covered G-String and body make-up... and then drop head first into the water. What a great sport!!
It looks like I'll be playing the Ranger character, Nick, as we have lost two others to medical problems and are running o0ut of time. Directing and acting will be a pain, but sacrifices abound.
We plan to begin shooting the first weekend of July, as long as we get Lucas cast by then. All the practicals are on track for the summer shoots and all the autumn ones are now past the experiment stage, merely awaiting implementation.
I'm off now to ready the silicone mold we made of a hamster ball last week for candy glass casting.

We got a 'cabin'! After checking out the local used materials recycling place, we've calculated that we can build a 'dilapidated structure' (the last big location that we lack) on Randy's land where 75=% of the rest of the project is being shot, for about $400... And he's agreed. FINALLY! We've been searching for this key place for about 3 years now.
We've also found a 'Lucas'. A young lad named Kellyn who's a scuba enthusiast from U of O. There's just a smidgen of scheduling per his classes that we need to work around, but only for a couple weekends. Now all we need is the female lead, Jen and a sound catcher. I've begun our current idea per tonight, by scouting out the first of two local burlesque troops per. As I feared, most of the talent was too heavily tattooed for the part, but three of them were not. One was not 'Jen' material (too butch), one said she doesn't act, and the third seemed hesitant, but suggested that she's acted before and did a number tonight to Ween's, Voodoo Lady and another with a live didgereedoo accompanist... Hell Ya! This girl seems really cool... I gave her my card, and if you're reading this, Megan, please consider having a coffee with me and my production assistant to at least feel the project out. '^.^,
As well, the special effects shop is speeding ahead swimmingly. He have a 'Gug' (Mari's boyfriend, Jeff has agreed to die his body hair blond, strip naked, put on a large latex headpiece and fall headfirst into the Fern Ridge Swamp for us [Yay, Jeff!]). The Larva Light Mother's throat piece is coming along wonderfully per Mari's skilled hands and Eric's leg wound is now cast per Serina's.
The first of the three preliminary weekend shoots we're doing this Summer begins in a mere seven weeks and we're almost ready for it. Oh and I almost forgot, we've received the shipping order for the bulk of our equipment and are playing with the cameras now as well! Woot!

Much happened in the last month. We've found more people to help in the EFX studio (painters as well as general hands interested in learning various molding and casting procedures), and have compiled the schedule (at least the first part per early, Summer scenes to shoot), so have a schedule for the EFX workshop as well.
We're still seeking a male and a female actor to fill the roles of Luke and Jen (the female lead), but have a new idea for a source: The three local Burlesque troupes.
We're also still in search of a "cabin" (ie: abandoned building in the forest), but have a few new ideas per venues in which to seek that as well... 'free' mobile homes on Craig's list (I've found 4 so far, but 'free' seems to mean between 400 and 1000 dollars), building one from scrap on the land in Pleasant Hill on which we're going to shoot 65% of the project already, and a third idea that is sketchy, so will go unsaid here......
Also, I'm going to be buying the equipment this weekend as well. The details will be revealed once the orders are in. A hi def cameras, a sound catching device and 4 to 5 mics... Per sound catching, the third big thing we still need is an experienced sound person with field work under his/her belt. As they say, a film can look like shit and be considered arty, but if it sounds bad, forget it.
I'll try to update a little more often, as well, but as I've said, I want to spend 99+% of our energy getting this made, and not on 'bling' like this website and such.
We might also break that rule a little and have another benefit this Summer. More on that later though.