Reel Stuff Film Fest

“REEL STUFF”
Effort to Land
The Flyboys
on TV gives filmmakers, fans a lift
Story by Ron Kaplan
O
ne of the most fun aviation-themed feature films I’ve ever
seen has yet to make it to a movie theatre near you or me.
Why is that? Don’t get me started on Hollywood, especially
in the current politically charged environment—I don’t have enough
space here. You may not have heard about this independently
produced action-adventure movie with rising adolescent stars, a
big heart, and a memorable storyline for young and old alike. Heartthumping aviation scenes largely drive this refreshingly heartwarming
tale of true friendship, loyalty and courage, told through a uniquely
winding storyline.
When I invited director/writer Rocco DeVilliers to screen his movie,
The Flyboys, at the 2009 Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation in
Dayton, he was on the tail end of a whirlwind year of film festival
screenings that ultimately garnered over 70 top awards. If Reel
Stuff had an award for Audience Favorite, it would have added
to the number. It was obvious that DeVilliers had an aviation
background. In fact, his grandfather had been an Idaho cropduster
that once owned a P-51 Mustang among his stable.
The Flyboys, rated PG-13, is a coming of age story of two 12year boys from Arizona and how their mettle is tested when, while
skipping school, they go exploring their sleepy local airport and
accidentally find themselves stowaways on a 1952 Twin Beech.
As luck would have it, the mob owns the plane, and it’s not used
for sightseeing.
This drops the film’s young protagonists, Jason and Kyle (richly
played by actors Jesse James and Reiley McClendon, respectively)
into the very adult and dangerous world of the Esposito brothers
(in subtle yet powerful turns by Tom Sizemore and Stephen
Baldwin). The deadly serious conflicts, adrenaline inducing
stunts, and engrossing characters create an emotionally charged
mix that works and DeVilliers’ co-producer and stunt coordinator,
Dan Urness, likens to “Stand By Me” meets “Indiana Jones.”
Speaking of Urness, he earns my kudos for no discernable use
of CGI in the film’s breathtaking aerial antics (not to mention a
heartstopping car vs. BMX bike chase).
I also don’t have enough space here to adequately explore how
this film cost only $2 million, looks like a major studio movie,
was cheered at festivals coast-to-coast, and yet four years later
remains ignored by U.S. distribution companies. Thankfully,
DeVilliers and his team have conjured up a creative way to skin
the Hollywood cat – by turning The Flyboys into a TV series.
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Broadcast networks had responded favorably to the feature film,
but wanted to see what such a series would look and feel like.
So DiVilliers set about filming a “camera test on steroids,” a
15-minute promotional reel capturing the look and feel of an epic
TV series, director DiVilliers at the helm along with his original
cinematographer and cast.
“Since the feature film has never been released in the US and was
shot when our two leads were children—this provides us with
an opportunity to do something truly unique,” says DeVilliers.
James and McClendon, now mature actors, reprise their original
roles of Jason and Kyle in the proposed series in which storyline
flashbacks will incorporate film footage from the original movie.
According to DeVilliers, The Flyboys series is essentially a
modern day Hardy Boys, with the boys now High School seniors
“who seem to attract action and adventure, mystery and intrigue.”
With Jason now a pilot, you can bet that some of that drama will
again take place in the air.
As this was going to press, DeVilliers was pitching network execs,
having funded the production of the sizzle reel and its updates
by soliciting contributors via the popular crowdsourcing site,
Indiegogo.com (www.indiegogo.com/theflyboys). In addition to
exclusive access to the 15-minute preview (featuring a number of
flying scenes), certain levels of donation include a personalized
DVD screener of the original feature film. Adding The Flyboys to
my DVD library alone was worth every dollar. Here’s hoping we
see The Flyboys land on our TV schedule soon.
For more info visit www.theflyboysmovie.com.
Ron Kaplan is director of Reel Stuff Aviation Resources LLC,
consultant to non-profit museums and the entertainment industry.
Contact him at www.reelstufffilmfest.com.
WARBIRD DIGEST #45 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012