2024 turned out to be an unexpectedly intense year for Clear Focus Movies. Our shift from horror to action led us to PRIMAL GAMES, an ambitious sci-fi action film shot on a tight $250K budget. Calling the shoot 'challenging' would be an understatement.
Filming any movie in 18 days is tough, but shooting an intricate action film with stunts, explosions, and the usual chaos of indie filmmaking pushed us to the brink. Little did we know, one of the largest storms the U.K. had seen in years was waiting to hit us the moment we started. Torrential rain, flooding—you name it, we powered through it.
Tucked away in a remote forest, living in wooden cabins, our cast and crew battled the elements every day just to capture whatever footage we could. It was cold, grueling, and by the end of the shoot, we only had 80% of the film in the can. In the world of independent filmmaking, this was madness. With so much on the line, we left that rain-soaked set beaten, bruised, and without a finished film. A disaster? Almost.
Thankfully, our producers were up for the challenge. They secured an additional £20K, giving us the chance to complete the final five days of filming. After waiting nearly four months for the rain to finally let up, we returned to the wilds of Scotland and wrapped production.
Post-production has been a marathon, and as I write this, it still feels like a small miracle that we’ve finished the film. Was it worth it? I guess I’ll find out next year when PRIMAL GAMES is released.
PRIMAL GAMES
DIRECTED BY: David Ryan Keith
WRITTEN BY: David Ryan Keith
PRODUCED BY: David Dittlinger Mary Ann Barnes Lorraine Keith
MUSIC BY: Drew Denton
STARRING: Hannaj Bang Bendz John Love Gary Kasper
REALEASE DATE: March 2025
DISTRIBUTOR: Uncork'd Entertainment
A newlywed couple sets off on the honeymoon of their dreams, only to become unwitting participants in a sadistic vacation experience. Trapped in a deadly game designed for the thrill-seeking elite, they must fight for survival and uncover the shocking truth about their existence before it's too late. In a world where nothing is as it seems, primal instincts are their only hope.
A HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME
Post-production on PRIMAL GAMES was a breeze compared to the challenges we faced on location. Editing on Avid Media Composer, with its unrivaled media management, made navigating the intense seven-week cutting process smooth and efficient. Once locked, the project transitioned seamlessly to Pro Tools for 10 weeks of detailed sound design—meticulously layering atmospherics, foley, sound effects, and dialogue.
Working with composer Drew Denton for the third time was a highlight of the journey. His score for PRIMAL GAMES elevated the film in ways we could only dream of, adding depth and emotion that brought the visuals to life. Meanwhile, VFX and color correction came together on time and on budget, and the trailer was crafted to meet distributor specifications without a hitch.
The shoot itself was a relentless test of endurance—everything that could go wrong, did. Yet, through sheer determination and passion, our team overcame every obstacle, from battling the elements to navigating the threat of shutdowns. PRIMAL GAMES is a testament to that collective effort. Despite the challenges, the journey was rewarding, and we’re proud to share the result with the world.
POST - PRODUCTION
OFFICIAL PROMOTIONAL IMAGES
RED BAND TRAILER
