Jim "JC" Conover - Writer / Producer / Director

Jim has written and published three books.  Two of them were true stories and one novel.  Jim has written and received awards on his screenplays.

His life long dream of making a movie was intensified after missing the opportunity of completing one with the well-known Western Director, Virgil W. Vogel.  In 1993, Jim and Virgil worked on a movie about Jim’s book Lynch Law, but Virgil unexpectedly passed away.

Jim loves "western's."  And not just any ol' western.  It's really the classics that do it for him.   He's one of the last "western purists."  Which is why this production came to be.  He wanted to give audiences the raw drama and power that only a true western can provide: Good guys, bad guys, pretty ladies, strong women, and of course horses and saloons!

Jim is like a general leading his troops.  He does not take any guff from anyone and gets the job done.  And, he commands respect from all that follow.  Sort of like a movie-making General George Patton.

From age 9, Todd had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to do as a career. From making movies with friends, to event videography, he logged hundreds of hours behind a camera, long before entering any formal education in the production field. While attending Peoria High School, Todd gained even more experience in a variety of production roles. While attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he maintained focus and dedication, finding many avenues to hone his production craft.

After graduation, Todd has had the good fortune to work for WTVP, a PBS Public Television station in Peoria, Illinois. From supervision of the largest production studio downstate of Chicago, to his work now as a Senior Producer, creating HDTV productions, sophisticated 3D animations, sound design and more.

Todd came on board "Sand Praire" to "just have a lot of fun, and prove to the coastal kids, that good movies CAN be made in the heartland!"  People tease him that he looks like Harry Potter.

William "oh yeah" Homel – Line Producer /1^st Assistant Director

Bill came on board Sand Prairie when he was still President of Artistic Community Theater. He has performed in many local stage plays.

Bill has had quite a diverse job on this picture from Line  Producer to 1^st Assistant Director  to doing a great performance as Asa Brown, not to mention working almost 7-days a week in helping the Producer get Sand Prairie put together in preproduction, production and in post production.

Bill also brought apples for the horses used on the set- especially Cinnamon.  He truly is a one-of-a-kind individual.  You will probably not meet a nicer person anywhere.  Even with all the makeup and the drama that was Asa Brown, beat the heart of a teddy bear!

The art of photography and film has always been a fascination of his. Randy started out as a photographer and eventually became an editor and cameraman.  He assumed the position of manager and purchased the Imagemaker Video Productions business in 1998.

   Over the past nine years, Randy has filmed live sporting events, videos used in marketing products, theatrical events, music videos, recitals, wedding events and documentaries.

He is also involved in various animal societies and is currently working on a Documentary on Animal Rescue in New Orleans. He went to participate in the animal rescue in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Ken, a native from Pekin, IL, is an extremely talented individual when it comes to sound.  Name a microphone.  He's probably used it.  There's no mix desk he fears.  Ken is one "sound" individual.

Ken's voice has been heard around the world.  As a voiceover artist, he has recorded commercials, jingles, promos and a host of other productions.  He has also quite a talent with various musical instruments.

Ken also played the part of  Bob Kruger one of the members of the dreaded Brown Gang.

Jim has over thirty years in the TV and Feature Film business as a Scenic Paint Artist. 

Jim started in this business working for MGM.  From there, he was sent to Warner Brothers for a short period of time.  Then he got a call to go to Paramount Studios for "three weeks."  Those three weeks turned into twenty six years.  The last ten years he was the head of the scenic department.

Jim’s input and hard work was critical with the design and construction of our interior and exterior sets.  He was one of the main contacts with the Springfield and Central Illinois Film commission and brought in a lot of skilled people to work on the production. 

On of the most unique things about Dave, is that he actually owns half of Sand Prairie, Texas... Well figuratively...  Dave is a multi-talented individual.  Not only was he our Weapons Master and gunsmith, but Dave also is the owner of the largest gun shop in Illinois. 

Dave helped build the town and filled the role of Mexican Charley in the movie.

Louie furnished most of the props for the movie.  He was also a major part of building the sets.  His talent as a set decorator was seen throughout the movie.

The most notorious saloon in Sand Prairie was the Hole in the Wall.  Louie is actually the owner of Hole In The Wall Saloon in Pekin,  Illinois.

Tim graduated from the Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in 1989 and began his career doing live sound for Zeo Brothers Productions in Philadelphia, PA where he worked with numerous regional and nation acts.  During this time he began to work closely with MTV and eventually realized his passion for cinematography.

Tim returned to Illinois and began his professional career in cinematic production.  Over the next 15 years he produced numerous award winning commercials, music videos, industrial, documentary, educational and independent films. His awards include numerous ADDY awards for excellence in advertising, Telly awards for excellence in production, and an independent film award for Best Lighting of a feature film. Tim has worked in Prague, Czech, Amsterdam, Denmark, Caracus, Venezuela as well as the continental United States. 

His most recent work includes productions for, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and numerous advertising agencies.

EricEric is a Summa Cum Laude graduate, with a BFA in commercial art and computer design from Millikin University. He is a college level instructor, and has helped to develop entire academic programs as well as individual class curriculum.

Eric is also the creative director/owner of Heroic Age Studios. Heroic Age's Clients include DC Comics, Marvel Entertainment, Dark Horse, Archie Comics, Image, Acclaim Books, OMNI Communications, and the Illinois Secretary of State.  Heroic Age supplies various artistic and creative services for comic books, toys, collector cards, games, posters, web-sites, video games, television commercials, documentaries and films.

Eric has worked on projects with countless merchandisable characters including Lucas Film's Darth Vader, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Hanna Barbera's Scooby Doo, DC Comic's Batman, Marvel Comics Spider-man, and many other popular properties.

This is the first feature film Debbie has worked on as production photographer. She took several thousand pictures during the course of principal photography.  Her talents were used for everything from continuity photos to action photos.  Deb's work has been published on the cover of ILMDA Advantage Magazine.