New movie was made in our neck of the woods

OREGON – A local actor and filmmaker is working to bring several projects to the big screen, and hopes to debut his most recent work in the Sauk Valley.

Randall Cropp, a 2007 Oregon High School graduate, wants to premiere his film “Ghebbar Woods” in Sterling – “I am going to have a premiere this summer,” he says – but he’s still ironing out the details.

The movie was filmed in part around Oregon and was made in found-footage style, the kind popularized by the film “The Blair Witch Project.” Cropp wrote, directed and stars in “Ghebbar Woods,” some of which was shot at Stronghold Center in Oregon.

“It is a camping trip with science fiction,” Cropp said.

He said the film is the realization of years of work.

Cropp has appeared in and worked on 20 films, including “’The UnMiracle,” written and directed by Andrew Papke and starring Stephen Baldwin – who’s starred in films including “The Usual Suspects,” “Bio-Dome,” and “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas” – and Kevin Sorbo – who played the title role in TV’s “Hercules: The Legenday Journey.” .

According to IMDb, “’The UnMiracle,” is about a suburban town torn apart in the aftermath of a accidental teen drug overdose, and explores the mysteries of modern faith.

“I love the part in that film. I am the mean guy in a religious film,” he said, adding that it’s a role that gives him “the best chance for recognition.”

The film will be released in August, and likely will be considered Cropp’s breakout role. In fact, he already has fans. He’s attended several conventions where films he is in have screened and copies are being sold.

“You are approached by these fans and asked for autographs,” he said. “I love that feeling. Even the small films have loyal fans.”

His affiliation with “’The UnMiracle” and its stars will help with his feature, he said.

“Unknown actors are a risk in Hollywood, which makes small films like “Ghebbar Woods” hard to get distributed. The hardest part of making a movie used to be making the movie. Now it is getting people to watch the film.”

The Internet will help get the word out, he said. “Ghebbar Woods,” a horror film about three guys trying to shoot a web survival series in the woods, has a Facebook page, trailers on YouTube, and a website, ghebbarwoods.com.

He also is working on another film, “Darkness Has Covered My Light,” written and directed by ​Brian Naydol, in which Cropp has a role, and also is assistant director.

“This film has a great cast and crew,” Cropp said. “It is about a rock band that is bigger than they think.”

It’s nearing completion, and Naydol and Cropp are working on raising the money to get it into movie festivals and have a premiere.

“So far we have put $20,000 into the film and are trying to get the word out,” said Cropp. “The movie has all original music that we wrote for the film.”

There’s a gofundme page; search for “Darkness Has Covered My Light Film.”

According to IMDb, Cropp took a community college acting class to help deal with his social anxiety, and got hooked. He also supports NoStigmas, a mental wellness company in Chicago, and often writes from the perspective of emotionally damaged protagonists.

So, why take on such a difficult career?

“I love the childish answer,” he said. “Playing pretend and dressing up. The mature answer is I just love creating films. It is a synergy to create a project. It is a rush.”

FOLLOW CROPP ONLINE

Follow the career of actor and filmmaker Randall Cropp, a 2007 Oregon High School graduate, on Facebook.

His new movie, "Ghebbar Woods," has a Facebook page, trailers on YouTube, and a website, ghebbarwoods.com.

The IMDb plot summary:

"Three best friends try to get 'Internet famous' by filming their own survival show-based webseries. A weekend trip to accomplish this runs afoul when a mysterious and very foreign visitor ends up in their neck of the woods.

"The film takes direct inspiration from 'The Blair Witch Project', 'Cabin in the Woods', and 'Creep'."