Businesses going ‘haywire’ over being a part of horror/sci-fi Web series

MONROE — An independent film company based in Monroe has made good on its promise to include area businesses in the story line of the second season of its horror/sci-fi Web series “Haywire,” broadcast on KoldCast TV, and filmed in Monroe.

Haywire, produced by the Lights Out! Film Group produces independent films in “the pursuit of artistic endeavors, large and small,” according to its Web site. The series focuses on the effects of a strange light on Monroe.

Monroe resident Scott Klein, one of the show’s producers, described Haywire’s story line as what happens when a burst of light affects those in Monroe within its line-of-sight, short- circuiting their minds and scrambling their thought processes into a never-ending loop.

“We’ve tied Monroe into the series and made it a character,” said Klein.

In a story published in The Photo News last fall, Klein said he was seeking local businesses looking for exposure and wanting to be part of the series. He felt it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement for any business and Haywire to become partners. Scott also said he was looking for area residents who wanted to have a role in the production.

After the article appeared, Klein said he received multiple responses from local businesses wanting to serve as a location for a Haywire shoot as well as from residents interested in coming on board as cast and/or crew.

The Haunted Barn One of the first responses, according to Klein, was from Monroe resident Joey Vento, owner of the Haunted Barn and Movie Museum in Monroe and operator of “Movies To Go,” a Monroe-based business on Boyles Court specializing in classic movie screenings.

“A mutual love of film developed into discussions about future shoots of Haywire and what location needs might be for our second season,” said Klein.

Klein said his group will be shooting at Vento’s location over the summer. Vento’s backyard is set up a faux graveyard and he has a horse-drawn hearse in the front of his house.

“Joey’s place is fantastic,” said Klein. “His museum is the garage near his house. He’s turned it into a mini-movie theater featuring memorabilia from the 50s, 60s and 70s, from sci-fi and horror black and white classics all the way through to the 70s type stuff. All kinds of great stuff. There’s a real little niche thing going on there.”

50’s style restaurant In addition to planning a shoot at Ventro’s Monroe residence, Ventro put Klein in touch with Maria Sauer, owner and operator of Maria’s Breakfast and Lunch, a 1950s-style restaurant located in Federal Plaza on Route 17M in Monroe.

Klein said scripts were “quickly tweaked to take maximum advantage of the unique style of the luncheonette, which is now the location of a major showdown at the heart of Season 2.”

“We shot two days, ending up this past Saturday (April 7),” said Klein. “It’s a great looking place and full of great color. We shot enough to fit into three episodes. I think she’s really excited that we worked with her and she was excited to see her place set up and she’s really excited to see how it comes out. She’s hoping people will see how quaint and cute it is. It’s sort of a hidden gem in Monroe.”

Also contacting Klein and becoming Haywire’s newest crew members were Monroe natives Dee Wassell as a grip; Jillian Phipps, as script supervisor; and Jason Kalmanowitz as boom operator.

The production is now on a “creative hiatus,” Klein added, and viewers can expect to see the second launch at the end of this year or the beginning of 2013.

The first season’s 12 episodes are available for viewing online at www.haywireseries.com.

Klein encouraged business owners, actors or technical crew interested in Haywire to e-mail him at haywireseries@gmail.com.

By Nancy Kriz