In December of 2016, Paul Green introduced the Hudson Valley Film Commission’s Laurent Rejto to director Jon Swab at Sunfrost in Woodstock. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Swab had just moved to the region after wrapping production on LET ME MAKE YOU A MARTYR, starring Marilyn Manson and Marc Boone Junior (SONS OF ANARCHY, MEMENTO). The film showed raw talent and Rejto became determined to make sure that Swab’s follow up feature would be produced locally. To that end, the Hudson Valley Film Commission started making introductions to A-list actors, crew, vendors, and locations, including the old Ulster County Jail (see photo).

After many ups and downs, the film was lured back to Oklahoma by private equity, which has become harder and harder to find in an independent film world that has been monopolized by corporations. Following some Herculean reshuffling of the principle cast, Swab set about directing RUN WITH THE HUNTED in and around Tulsa.

“At its lowest point,” says Rejto. “I remember getting a text that one of the principles had dropped out, but John wrote that he would make the film, even if he had to resort to sock puppets,”

Through sheer determination, and hard work, Swab with the help of Roxwell Films co-producer Jeremy Rosen, landed Ron Perlman, Michael Pitt, and William Forsythe. With Marc Boone Junior and Dree Hemingway, who were in all along, production started in July of 2018..

With brilliant performances and outstanding production quality in hand, Swab returned to the Hudson Valley to tackle post production, and the film commission was back in the game.

“As a former film and sound editor, I’m always looking to promote local post production,” says Rejto. “The paradigm has completely shifted from the eighties and nineties, when everything was done under one roof. I worked on 49th Street across from Sound One. A lot of the same people who relied on post houses like Sound One and Magno, now work in offices, homes and cabins throughout the Hudson Valley, with high speed Internet as a lifeline.”

This was an intense year for local post production with parts of the Academy Award nominated ROMA doing some of their sound editing with Wyatt Sprague in Ulster County and with Jay Peck at Stepping Stone Foley in Orange County. Sprague also worked some sound effect magic on M. Night Shyamalan’s THE VISIT with sounds recorded in the Rhinecliff train station, Ashokan Reservoir, Longyear farm, various local farmhouses, etc. BCDF Pictures edited CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET in Kerhonkson while Michael Cristofer picture cut THE NIGHT CLERK in Woodstock. Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker Robert Stone continues to work on his PBS mini series, CHASING THE MOON, with picture editing in Rhinebeck, sound editing at C.A Sound in Bearsville, and color correction in Kingston with Chad Smith at Massive Clouds. Many other projects worked locally with VFX specialists, composers (Spencer Hutchings with THEN CAME YOU), and more.

The film commission made several referrals to Swab, including editors, sound editors, composers, VFX and all things post.

Within days, Jon Greenhalgh was hired to picture cut the film. Greenhalgh is best known for his Emmy nominated documentary TEAM FOXCATCHER, which was edited with particular skill.

“I initially sought out Laurent when I was looking to screen my documentary film TEAM FOXCATCHER at my hometown theatre in Woodstock, NY, wrote Greenhalgh. “.That screening went off without a hitch, and subsequently Laurent and I have become fast friends. Professionally, Laurent has suggested me for a plethora of editing projects based in the Hudson Valley area, which is a win-win for everyone involved -- I get the luxury of staying home with my family and cutting within the comfortable confines of my personal studio, and producers benefit from the hefty tax credit they receive from doing business in this area.”

Working with John Swab on RUN WITH THE HUNTED was a creatively satisfying experience,” Greenhalgh continued. “John brought a clear vision and well developed ideas into my editing studio, which allowed the process to unfold quickly and efficiently. But, at the same time, he remained open to exploring any and all ideas that arose spontaneously, no matter how avant-garde. And that type of creatively untethered environment kept things fresh and fun for me, as an editor. “

Following picture lock, the project was handed over to another local: the masterful sound editor Coll Anderson, who has worked on THE JINX, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, BLACK SWAN and hundreds of other projects. He’s currently finishing up Robert Stone’s ambitious PBS mini series CHASING THE MOON.

“I had a great time with John,” says Anderson. That mix of working on a new version of Noir and having the time to explore ideas is what’s great about being here. There is a connection to space that is really grounding and from that position I think John and I were able to have fun and relax. I think that confidence shows in the work that comes from here. This place is exactly what I want in a working environment. With all the tools we have up here at our disposal it makes it a great place to create. I am really happy to call the Hudson Valley home.”

RUN WITH THE HUNTED will start being previewed by distributors and major film festivals this week.

“I was lucky enough to screen the final mix at Coll’s,” says Rejto. “I had the opportunity to see some early edits, which I was very impressed by. The production value, direction, acting and editing was very accomplished, but it rose to a whole other level with sound design and music. I’m optimistic that the film will find distribution, and a large audience - it deserves it.”

As for director John Swab, it is hoped that his next feature film will be produced and posted in the Hudson Valley. The future looks promising.

“I couldn’t have made the film I wanted without the help of the Hudson Valley Film Commission and all of the talented people who live and work here,” said John Swab. “After this experience, I won’t ever do post anywhere else, and I hope very much to bring my next production to the Hudson Valley as well.”

Stay tuned for future Hudson Valley Film Production news.