Happy Birthday Karen!!

All you need to know about the executive producer and co-creator of Ragged Isle can be summed up in this quick clip. I would argue that our series never would have happened or gotten finished at all without this one of a kind woman. Her dedication and attention to detail was an inspiration. Please join me in wishing her a very Happy Birthday!!

Actor Spotlight: Krystal Kenville, Emma Dobson

Krystal Kenville as Emma Dobson

If we were to look you up on a dating profile, what would your bio read?

The girl your mother warned you about.

I'm not opinionated, just always right.

Hot movie chick seeks Rich movie producer.

Tell us about you character in this season (in this same format).

Lovely girl falls in love with lovely boy.

Unaware of the dangers that await her.

Secrets of her own that she will never hold.

How did watching season one impact your performance in season two?

Well, I didn't have to do a much better job in season two as I was only a picture in season one...  hehehe, However, seeing how amazing this project has turned out I wanted to make sure to give it my best to keep up with the high standard.

What projects are you currently working on or have you been working on since Ragged Isle wrapped shooting?

Well, my biggest project since filming was/is my 7-week-old little girl.  In March, I worked on a show for the Discovery Channel, and at the moment I am promoting a new film.

What is your favorite behind-the-scenes moment during the production of Ragged Isle?

When Barry told me I had a "Big Head" physically....  Unfortunately I am not allowed to tell the other one as it would give away Season 3.  (Next time.)

What is your favorite thing about your character?

Pfft, that she get to kiss [Name removed by editor.  Sorry! Spoiler alert!]  HELLO! ;)   And again, I cannot say more as I would give to much away.  Dang it!

What do you and your character have in common?

Looks, clearly, and that sexy fashion sense!

What do you and your character have least in common?

Emma is demure, innocent, sweet, naive.

Krystal is sarcastic, social, with a side of crazy.

If you could play any other character on Ragged Isle who would it be and why?

Honestly, as much as I adore all of the characters here on the island, I wouldn't have ever chosen one over Emma.  She get's to play in the ______ as a ______!

We’re not sure who survives the second and third seasons of Ragged Isle... any last words just in case your character doesn’t make it?

I don't really like water guys......  guys?

Episode Sixteen.... and behind-the-scenes writer's commentary

The season two finale of "Ragged Isle," "Where Did It All Go Wrong," is here.  This is the last episode we'll be serving up until spring 2013, so savor it (though there will be some treats and surprises in the meantime).  Fortunately, we packed a lot for you to contemplate into this very short episode.  Watch it below, and after you've seen it, read on for a behind-the-scenes writer's commentary.



Did you watch?  I'm about to start spoiling the episode, so turn back now if you haven't watched.  Fair warning.

Way back when we were shooting season one, we knew exactly where the series was going.  There were drafts of all ten episodes of the then-final season two.   But then in the spring of 2011, during the original broadcast of season one, we decided to split the final season into two seasons, adding two more episodes to make the second and third season six episodes apiece.

There was more to be done besides just splitting the seasons and writing two new episodes.  The structure of every episode had to be reworked, and new plots and characters had to be introduced.

The events on the boat, seen in this episode, originally occurred in episode thirteen, the first draft of which was written by Rick Dalton.  Rick's dialogue between Colleen and Paul remains largely intact (though I think Colleen was originally a man), but when we decided that this was where we would break the season, we reworked it as a cliffhanger.  In the first season, we sent Mac (Dominic Lavoie) into the water.  In the second, Vicki (Meghan Benton) takes the plunge.

Dominic had it (relatively) easier.  He went into the water at the end of August (2010), on a fairly warm night.  We shot Vicki's plunge in early September (2011) on a decidedly cooler night, after a very long day of shooting.  Immediately after Meghan went in, she surfaced and shouted, "Goddamn, this is cold!  Whatever you have to shoot, do it quick!"  That was the closest she came to a complaint, performing the scene with astonishing grace and professionalism (despite shivering uncontrollably and slowly turning blue).  It was amazing to watch, and my hat's forever off to Meghan for the most courageous thing I've ever seen an actor do.  Maybe she can be persuaded to weigh in about the experience in the comments, because after all that, she had to keep the whole thing secret for nearly a year.

(The underwater shots were captured in a pool.  I wasn't there for that shoot, but maybe Barry can also be persuaded to chime in with a comment or a blog post of his own, because I understand that it was no picnic.)

The final script for this episode clocked in at four pages, by far the shortest episode of the season (and maybe even the whole series).  The season one finale was also short on the page, but Barry managed to stretch it in editing with great music and cool lobster festival atmosphere (courtesy of footage from the Rockland Lobster Fest).

To stretch out the season two finale (and strengthen its impact), Barry conceived of Vicki's encounter in the water.  Careful "Ragged Isle" viewers will recognize the woman Vicki sees as Emma Dobson, whose picture hangs on the wall of The Glass Jaw, and whose story Rachel Moody told to Sheriff Dalton in episode seven, "The Unforgettable Fire."  Even more eagle-eyed fans will have seen Emma's picture in the locket Madame Clelia gave to Vicki, and in a newspaper article on Vicki's conspiracy wall.  Emma also appears in a snippet of enigmatic footage after the closing credits of the season one finale, and even more enigmatic footage at the beginning of this episode.  Are you starting to get the feeling that Emma is important to the mystery?  Go with that feeling.  I think maybe it will pay off in season three.  That's actress Krystal Kenville as Emma, and there's a good chance we'll hear more from Krystal fairly soon.

At the close of the season, I want to thank Barry for putting it all together, and Jake and Karen and Rick and our whole tremendous cast for a tremendous season.  That montage during the credits brought back a lot of memories of last summer's shoot.

I feel blessed to be a part of this project, and sad that it's going dark for so long (though I'm happy Barry will be getting a break at last).  But stay tuned to the blog and the Facebook page.  We may just have a few surprises up our sleeves in the months ahead.

Actor Spotlight: Cathy Counts, Dr. Gail Monroe

Cathy Counts as Dr. Gail Monroe

If we were to look you up on a dating profile, what would your bio read?


What's a date? Similar to a fig or a prune.  Oh, I've heard of those. They run right through you, leave you totally empty. I'm really best on my own, fulfilled, contented, and blissfully self-contained, without being ravaged by dried fruit or having to suffer an evening imagining a  future of co-dependence and  compromise. But if you want to take me to a movie, play, comedy show, or restaurant with no intentions of latching onto me like a squid, I’m up for anything.
 



Tell us about your character in this season (in this same format).



Something got you down? Tell Doctor Gail Munroe all about it.  I'll find what's ailing you, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional, and I'll help you get through it.  Remember, keep your chin up and you'll feel a lot better about everything. Troubles are like dust kitties under the bed.  If you aren't aware of them, they won't bother you. If you do become aware of them, deal with them and breath a sigh of relief.
 



How did watching season one impact your performance in season two?



So many of the performances were excellent, and the production's values were so pleasingly professional and creative! I knew I could play my role with depth and delicacy, and my work would only be enriched by the treatment of the scenes.  
 



What projects are you currently working on or have you been working on since Ragged Isle wrapped shooting?



I am currently writing a novel which had been in the planning stages for several years, but I have just finished a prologue and four chapters this week while on vacation. I'm very excited about it, because the work is flowing and there really isn't anything that feels better to me than writing when the story and the characters are good. As for theater or film, nothing ahead.  The writing is taking precedence now.



What is your favorite behind-the-scenes moment during the production of Ragged Isle?


Oooh, I can't tell you, or it would be a spoiler!!!!   But it has to do with a honking big moon over the water at the boat yard, everyone wrapped up to their ears and wearing gloves on a super chilly August midnight, and one thin, fragile girl shivering in a blanket in a car, waiting for the big dunk in what had to be near frigid water.  I'll never forget it, the sight of her waiting, running lines, shivering, and waiting several hours more.  Oh!  And Rick using his the flashlight app on his smart phone for an additional light source during that midnight shoot.



What is your favorite thing about your character?


She's not afraid of anybody.


What do you and your character have in common?



We like to create a fiction of well-being around us, with a reluctant grounding in reality.



What do you and your character have least in common?



I am by no means a care-giver to anyone, unless you are a long-haired cat and you purr freely. Dr. Munroe is a natural care-giver and  prefers people to pets.



If you could play any other character on Ragged Isle who would it be and why?



I would like to be the Shimmering Mermaid of Death.  Oh, wait. There is no Shimmering Mermaid of Death. Well, maybe that smug FBI agent with all the eye-liner.  I look good in eye-liner.



We're not sure who survives the second and third seasons of Ragged Isle... any last words just in case your character doesn't make it?



I just hope I follow the Hypocratic Oath.  First, do no harm...

Ragged Bands Season 2

Much love to the bands who have contributed their work to our second season and beyond.  Our shocking season finale will include 2 new artists to our show, Leerless Feeder and Mai, Mai.  We've packed a lot into these 6 episodes and we are looking forward to many more opportunities to showcase amazing artists in our final act coming this spring.  Thank you to everyone for supporting Maine musicians and their wonderful art!

List of season two bands/musicians used so far:

Cerberus Shoal
Twisted Roots
Artie Appleseed
Selbyville
Plains
Dilly Dilly
Ricky Boy Floyd
The Watchers
Felsenmeer
Jacob Augustine
vik44
Headphoneboy
Richard DeCosta
Robber and Thief

Actor Spotlight: Justin C. St. Louis as Trevor Stebbins

Justin C. St. Louis as Trevor Stebbins

If we were to look you up on a dating profile, what would your bio read?

Looking for money... love will come later.



Tell us about your character in this season (in this same format)


Trevor Stebbins is currently employed as Gertie Kendrick's live-in personal assistant (kept boy).  Like Gertie, he is a bit of a recluse and is aspiring to be a famous writer, just like his mentor.



How did watching season one impact your performance in season two?

Trevor is introduced to the audience in Season Two.  It was interesting to experience the "look and feel" of Season One before jumping into the filming of Season Two - having that foundation in place, it was much easier to understand the dynamics of this creepy island community when we were filming my scenes.



What projects are you currently working on or have you been working on since Ragged Isle wrapped shooting?


That one is hush-hush... Stayed tuned for more details!

What is your favorite behind the scenes moment during the production of Ragged Isle?

Without giving away too much info, I could still smell maple syrup for two days after filming... and it made me smile.

What is your favorite thing about your character?

Trevor has a great sense of fashion.  That shirt is priceless, and I am hoping that it will start a new trend...

What do you and your character have in common?

Trevor and I both enjoy tea, enjoy writing, and both have a bit of a swishy walk.

What do you and your character have least in common?

Trevor is so much handsomer...

If you could play any other character on Ragged Isle who would it be and why?

 I would probably want to play Agent Thorne... she can leave the island if she has to (although she would probably be fired from her job if she did).  I would choose either her or Sebastian - the dude gets to wear a lobster suit!!!

We’re not sure who survives the second and third seasons of Ragged Isle... any last words just in case your character doesn’t make it?

Not the face!
http://raggedisle.com/audio/Trevor_Scream_Ringtone.mp3

Check out this Isle Talk with Justin and Beth Saufler (Rose Fuller)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARRY DODD!

Take a moment to check out the love in celebration of Barry Dodd's birthday today!