Full Interview with The Dunlap Tribune and Blaine Layne.

Featured: Actor Tristan Layne as Tyler

Q: When did this idea begin coming together, and how long was filming? How long did all the editing and working on the final product take?

A: A fantastic question. It was a domino effect process. Cody McCarver, Aaron Lanegan, and I have wanted to work together on a film project for years. We looked at a full-feature movie I had written called "War Trophy", which is a film dealing with a war hero who was trafficked in the Middle East. He returns home and finds his "small town America" has been overrun with the cartel, drugs, and sex trafficking. We all decided the budget was too large for our first film together.

In the meantime, I collaborated and wrote several draft scripts with Irv Berner, who has produced wonderful documentaries out of Chattanooga with Dagan Beckett, such as "Beautiful Faces" and the upcoming "Sadowsky" documentary.

Then, one day, my son, Tristan, came to me. He said, "Dad, I want to be an actor in movies." I replied, "You do?" Of course, many thoughts started running through my mind as I heard my son's dream. Thoughts like, "How many kids have said this before? I wonder what he is really going to end up doing. He will probably want to be an astronaut or president next week."

Then, I thought, "That's right. He will probably not want to do this forever. So let's do it together and make it a memory for both of us." The big problem is that I don't believe in making a movie just to make a movie. So, I began to think, pray, and pray some more. We needed a story that was worth telling and a message that is worth sharing.

I have been teaching 4H with UT Extension for ten years, and I have been a youth pastor for seven years. So the subject of domestic child abuse is a heaviness and burden to me personally. It stirs a deep, righteous anger within my soul.

An excerpt from the official "Escaping" script.

It took me four weeks to write it, and I finished it in October 2024. I pitched it to Studio Dunlap in November, and I relayed to them that I would executive produce it myself. Cody and Aaron were ecstatic to start production with me. So, for the next couple of months, we scouted locations, practiced in single degree weather, and put together all the other boring pre-production steps to film in February 2025. It was a three day shoot of 12-14 hours a day. It is currently in the editing process at Studio Dunlap.

Q: Where did filming take place? Who are some of the main cast, and how was Studio Dunlap a part of it?

A: It was all filmed in Sequatchie County. The locations were in town, East Valley, and Lewis Chapel. Gabe Harbin debuts as Deputy Brett Travis, Tristan Layne plays the kid, Tyler. I play the escaped convict, Luke James, and one of my best friends, Matt Miller, has committed to playing (Soon to be) one of the most hated characters in all of cinema. Ironically, as a person, he is the most loved by all the cast and crew. As far as Studio Dunlap, their involvement was in the back story I told earlier. A long time in the making.

Q: This seems like an emotional film. Without giving away too much story, how do you want everyone to feel after seeing it?

A: Disturbed, mad, and ready to take action. The ironic thing about this film is that our director of photography, Aaron, has created a beautifully shot piece of work. The cinematography is gorgeous, but within that beauty is a tough story. I want it to be one of those films that you think about for days and weeks. When people are shopping, I want them to be aware and look for signs of kids who may be struggling. How many kids have we passed who are screaming in silence for help, but we are too busy to see the signs?

The Blue Hand represents STOPPING Domestic Child Abuse

Q; Do you have a brief summary, or maybe a logline? Approximately, how long is the film?

A: According to the script format, it should turn out to be around twenty minutes long. Unfortunately, with it being a short film, it's hard to give a description without giving too much away. All I can say is that I believe everyone will be entertained. There is even humor amid the seriousness.

Q: About how many people worked on it, including actors, camera crew, sound, music, etc?

A: I can think of 21 cast and crew off the top of my head, and I'm not sure how many Cody is using to finish the music for the film. It has definitely been a collaborative process. i have been blessed by the people involved. Even after fourteen-hour-long days, nobody complained, because we all believe in this message.

Actor Gabe Harbin as Deputy Brett Travis

Q: Do you have an expected release date locally?

A: We are doing a local Red Carpet Premiere in July. It will be a formal dinner, a showing, and a question panel at the end. We are entering it into the Nashville and Austin film festivals this year. If they accept it, those will be in September and October. We will open it to the general public late this year.

Q: Do you have any other comments for the community, or information you would like them to know? Also, how can they aid as a promoter/producer?

A: First, I would like to thank everyone for the support we have received already. This is what being part of a community is all about. We are Sequatchie Strong! Anybody who would like to promote the film can purchase awareness pins, which will be available soon. Also, we are launching a website where people can become a producer with different perks, including discounted Red Carpet tickets, a custom 11x14 drawing from The Crafty Canary, and free coffee from Sunny Valley. There will be an "Escaping" drink they can buy this Summer at Sunny Valley too. Once again, I would like to thank everyone for joining this movement of awareness with me.