No Place For Fear

The Challenge

In a changing world where the internet is the new playground, the BSA  (Scouts) knew an injection of fresh, media-driven content was needed.

Jason Steinbach, the founder of Virbion Media, had several boys involved in the Cub Scouts at the time and was a leader of a den himself.  He approached the Scout organization in charge of most of MN and western WI with an idea that could revolutionize the organization and increase sign-ups and retention worldwide.  Jason produced a teaser trailer of the working script to help the board of directors see the vision a bit clearer.

The idea was inspired by Jason’s Webelo den that he led at the time.  A movie making merit badge was available for the fifth graders.  With access to a professional studio at Virbion, Jason knew this could be the injection that his den could use, as well as the organization.  The real challenge would be to do it on a shoestring budget.

In today’s digital world, songs and merchandise can be produced and distributed relatively cheaply.  Producing a full-blown movie worthy of the big screen on a shoestring budget was another story altogether.  As with any good drama, there were bound to be sticks, stones, and flipped over vehicles thrown into the path of this project.  A few of the numerous factors that challenged the completion of the project include:

• A Principal actor’s family member sadly passed away a few days before shooting was to begin, requiring a complete rearranging of the filming days and pushing production out two weeks.
• Snow.  On Sept 6, 2019 over an inch of snow fell the morning of a shoot that was to include summer scenes.
• Rain.  Powerful storms moved through Minnesota the day of a scene that prevented dozens of extras from being available, forcing a reshoot of the entire day.
• Equipment.  The production computer on which the movie was to be  edited was DOA and delayed production 2 weeks.
• Parents.  The director’s elderly parents encountered a life emergency, requiring him to take a 2-week leave to assist them.
• Pandemic.  Having to produce a movie while homeschooling and managing existing clients is challenging, but not impossible.

6/3/2020 Update

Today we are in post-production.  All scenes have been recorded.  Song and soundtrack are in production.  Merchandise campaigns are underway.

Stay tuned to the facebook page for future updates.