Training was produced and directed by Kathleen Grace and written by Thom Woodley and a little bit by Matt Yeager.
MUSIC
The band for this episode was the incredible Gothic Country Punk brouhaha known as O’Death, ( www.myspace.com/odeath ). Masters of Appalachian mountain music, civil war gospel, and whiskey, O’Death gives one of the most energetic but gosh-darn honest performances this side of the Mississip.
CAST
Our regular cast includes: Jeff Skowron (Ryan), Bob McClure (Jed), Kelli Giddish (Courtney), Matt Yeager (Xander), and Lindsey Broad (Spring).
Guest appearances for this episode include Chris O’Connor (as Early’s doppelganger Proximately); John Wu (Eugene the Chinese Deliveryman); Richard Watson (Scoutmaster Longenbach); Sam (young Ryan); and last but not least, the enigmatic mystery of a man that is Terry Withers (The Man with the Van). Check out Terry’s theatre company at www.lucidtheatre.com.
HOOD
Training was shot entirely in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Long Island City and Astoria, Queens.
Outside locations included: the corner of Bedford and North 7th, McCarren Park, the Pulaski Skyway and surrounding streets, Vernon Boulevard, Review Street, under the BQE, and on some totally forgotten streets in Long Island City. We dare you to find them (don’t go at night)! The bike shop was in Green Point.
The scoutmaster scenes were shot at Havemeyer Street’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, who also run the iconic Giglio Festival (www.giglio-usa.org/Brooklyn_Mt_Carmel.htm ). The Queens Bizarro Bar was LIC (Long Island City) Bar on Vernon. In real life, it’s strictly non-Bizarro, with a fantastic backyard and a hot bartender. Awesome Pete’s stoop was Matt Yeager’s stoop in Astoria.
O’Death performed at Spiegeltent at the South Street Seaport. It’s charm is in its transience – it’s already gone. But a great venue for the history books.
CREW
Our Director of Photography was Johnny North. Sound was by Nick and Thom Woodley. Our editor was Chris Chan Roberson. Eric Dow and Thom also shot.
SPECIAL THANKS
To Rachel Hunter, for casting. To the cast, for this very long and dirty day.