Episode 206 "Proposals" was written by the talented Andy Greskoviak, and man is this episode a TRIP. "Proposals" took us up to the 33rd floor of a Chicago high rise, it brought is down into the depths of Ravenswood alleyways, and it introduced some very important characters as Season 2 continues to unfold. 

As the saying goes, Minnesotans have more fun….or at least that was the case this past week as we filmed our 5th episode, “FARGONE,” written by Matt Brassil. In this episode we are reunited with the beloved Eliza, following her acclimation into the world of her new job at WCTV.  As always, it was such a joy to work with the lovely Callie Stephens, who is so professional and positive on set. Joining her on this episode were some newcomers to the Dreamers world, including Adam Huizenga (Doug), Zachary Finch (Roger) and Doug Schuetz (Desmond), along with a teaser appearance from Craig Deering, who plays Eliza’s love interest, Sawyer, in Season  1. I’ll be honest, being boom operator and listening to this group of hilariously talented actors in my ears all week was not the worst problem to have; I could barely keep myself from laughing at times while recording. So just how much fun did we have? Let me fill you in on all of the details...

When writing began for the second season in August 2014 I had four characters I could potentially write for: Brad, Jackson, Clarissa or Cavin.   Knowing the writing team I immediately crossed off Brad & Jackson.  Micah Kronlokken would bring more truth and depth to Brad than I ever would, and Michael Bartz is Jackson so I could not take his character.  That left Clarissa and Cavin.  My first initial thought when selecting a character was “What do this person and I have in common?”  This was the important question for me. I always try to challenge myself in writing voices that move beyond my own personal life, but the first season is so bitingly honest and true to life that I needed to pull from my own experiences, so what character had that seed for inspiration?

‘Why doesn’t Brad have any gay friends?’  This was the question I asked myself many times throughout watching the first season of “The Dreamers”, back when I was an audience member, just like you.  So when Kelsey asked me to join the Season 2 writing team, shortly after Season 1 wrapped, this was something I was determined to remedy.  But I’m getting ahead of myself. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Micah Kronlokken, and I wrote Episode 202 "The One Where Brad Asks Jackson a Question."  

It brings me immense satisfaction to say that we are wrapped on our first episode of Season 2. What a week. The pre-production process for this episode officially began back in February when my co-producers and I met via Google Video Chat. When you are living out in the boondocks of northern Wisconsin, it's hard to make leeway in Chicago during the pre-production phase, and that's why I have Coco Fernandez, Eli Taylor, and Katie Griggs on my team. These three went above and beyond throughout the casting, location scouting, and event planning process. 

Even before we officially started filming Episode 201 "Birthday Cake", our producer and director of photography, Dane Ohlrogge, was getting B roll footage as he drove through Minneapolis and Eau Claire. Check out our fancy shmancy car rig in the picture below! This rig has been a total godsend throughout Episode 201, as many of our scenes take place inside of the Vickerson family's car. We put this contraption inside, outside, on the driver's side window, and on the passenger's side window in order to get all the shots on our shot list crossed off. This rig allows us to get driving shots without the camera bouncing around. Setting this baby up and taking it down is no small feat either, but the footage speaks volumes and we can't wait for you to see the final product when we release all of Season 2 later this year.

Holy Cowabunga! WE MADE IT!

Well folks we've done it again here on THE DREAMERS, our second crowd-funder is a success and we have raised over 80% and are now green lit!

Through Seed & Spark, email notifications are sent each time someone donates what they have to our production needs. Every email that I received filled me with the upmost joy that another person believes in us, our message, and our voice. It's really amazing to see the generosity of those who have been here since we first started, or those who became recent new fans. Every donation or loan is put towards something that was just a dream at one point, but because of the internet and the closer it brings us together in this day and age with the resources we have, making THE DREAMERS is much like the major theme of the show: making dreams come true. Being apart of this crowd-funding movement has revitalized film-making in a whole new way, both as a film-maker and audience member, bringing the two more intimate in the process then ever. Bringing content that is truthful and interesting with a singular distinct voice to the screen through the audiences help is the future of film and television. Thanks for coming along on the ride!

With all of the Twitter and Facebook buzz Kelsey Jorissen has constantly brought to the campaign, herself, or her team, she's kept the crowd-funding machine moving. Kelsey is a beast of a filmmaker, she peruses with passion and she gets results. Because of Kelsey and the financial momentum we now have, a second season is more in sight than ever before, continuing the tale of Kara Vickerson and her friends in Chicago. Thank you family, friends, and fans for donating your money to the great cause that is THE DREAMERS and because of you, the show must go on....

Dane Ohlrogge

CEO-DANE/ COMPANY

We have 8 days left to get the green light here on Seed and Spark and we know we can do it! Once we hit 80% we are able to receive all of the generous donations that our fans and followers have given thus far.

Want to help us spread the word? Send friends and family the link to our completed 1st Season at: www.vimeo.com/dreamers. Send them the link to our post production fundraiser at www.seedandspark.com/studio/dreamers. Making a Facebook post, sending a tweet, passing along an email- all of these things are priceless in these finals days of fundraising. Even 5$ helps us get closer to that green light and we are grateful for every contribution.

The amazing cast and crew wanted to touch in with our followers to talk about how they feel after the season finale what it was like working on set, and thank you to those who have supported us throughout this 1st Season of THE DREAMERS. Check out their Heart 2 Heart below and pass on the love!

Tonight we are going to kick up our feet, eat some Butterfingers, and raise our glass to all of you amazing supporters. Without you we wouldn't be here.

Hello all! 

This weekend all the planning, negotiating, developing, rewriting, scheduling, and redbulling collided into the magic of scenes from The Dreamers Episodes 2 & 3! Both Saturday and Sunday (10/12-10/13) were filled with busy set moves from the gym, to a church, and onto Cavin and Clarissa's apartments.  The scenes we shot definitely continue to immerse ourselves into these characters interesting and complicated lives much like all of us in Chicago.  

We were lucky to be able to use the church space provided by Erin O'Shea and Jennifer Betancourt who also co-star in Episode 2 as well!  The ladies are from Awkward Pause Theatre and everyone should definitely check out their website and the amazing stuff they have going on at the moment:

www.awkwardpausetheatre.com