Private Project

Room 108: The Clearing

[with CC subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Bengali and 5 other languages]
Fall of 1899. Two Belgian expats just moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin (USA) all the way from Liege, Belgium. Scarlett Berger will try her luck at the recently built largest theater in the region. Jacques 'Jack' Berger will enlist in the military.

A century later, paranormal investigator & liquor store owner, Joe Bale, will find himself in the adventure of his life, dragging his wife in the process to unexpected outcomes as a result of time-traveling endeavors back to opening night at the Meyer, February 24, 1900.

Will Joe clear Jack's reputation by preventing the most talked-about tragic event in town?

A historical, sci-fi thriller inspired on a double-homicide + suicide urban legend after opening night February 24, 1900 at Green Bay's most iconic theater.

[4K unlisted YouTube link also available, if needed]

  • Freddy Moyano
    Director
    Evelator, A Bay to Cherish, Aqua Brava
  • LaTrena Mitchell
    Writer
    The Eyes of Perfection
  • Freddy Moyano
    Writer
    Evelator
  • Freddy Moyano
    Producer
    Evelator, A Bay to Cherish, Apocalypture, Aqua Brava, For a Pitiful Shot
  • Brad Leonhardt
    Producer
  • Josh Sauer
    Producer
  • Freddy Moyano
    Key Cast
    "Jack Berger"
    Killer Couples, Empire, Widows, The Chi , Evelator, Aqua Brava, The Day the World Turns
  • Steve Martin
    Key Cast
    "Joe Bale"
    Redemption
  • Melonie Gartner
    Key Cast
    "Cindy Bale"
    Breathing Under Water, The Rose of Sharon, Evelator
  • Brad Leonhardt
    Key Cast
    "Captain Reginald Parsons"
    Through the Eyes of Grace
  • Leah Weakley
    Key Cast
    "Emily Parsons"
    Redemption
  • Kurt Krauss
    Key Cast
    "Roger Constanzo"
    Confessions of a Sailor, The Rose of Sharon
  • Delilah Hefner
    Key Cast
    "Gladys Weiss"
    Chicago Fire
  • Joyce Porter
    Key Cast
    "Dorothea Wilson"
    Better Call Saul
  • Mauricio Viteri
    Key Cast
    "Harry Houdini"
    Shades of Gray
  • Tony Lee Gratz
    Key Cast
    "Sgt. Zachary Alexander"
    Chicago Fire
  • Roberto Jay
    Key Cast
    "Meyer Rawson"
    American Rust
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Thriller, Sci-fi
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 54 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 6, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    18,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    ProRes 4096 x 2160
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:4:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • World Premiere (June 2023) - Chilton Wisconsin
    Chilton Twilight Drive-In, Wisconsin
    United States
    June 23, 2023
    World Premiere
  • 1 WIN: MLC Awards (June 2023) - Green Bay Wisconsin
    Green Bay, Wisconsin
    United States
    June 24, 2023
    WINNER: Best Scene Acting in a Feature
  • 2 WINS: Oniros Film Awards (July 2023) - New York
    New York
    United States
    July 5, 2023
    WINNER: Best Historical Film, Best Costumes. Finalist: Best Original Story and Best Supporting Actor (Brad Leonhardt)
  • 1 WIN: Golden Lion International Film Festival - India
    Kolkata
    India
    July 20, 2023
    Asian Premiere
    Best Debut Filmmaker (Feature Film)
  • 1 WIN: Canadian Cinematography Awards - Toronto
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 17, 2023
    Canadian Premiere
    WINNER: Best Production Design
Director Biography - Freddy Moyano

Madrid, Spain, 1979. In Wisconsin since 2002. Running MLC Productions full time since 2016 in Green Bay. With over 60 awards and nominations in the wildlife, cinematography, sound writing and editing fields, he began co-directing western and other period short films in SE Spain (Sergio Leone territory) in 2021. His wildlife filmmaking experience has been widely recognized since 2018.

A history lover, Freddy's debut feature film, "Room 108: The Clearing", visually incorporates original elements to showcase many periods and landmarks in NE Wisconsin, employing over 200 industry cast/crew/extras.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Production Design aspect of the film is a main pillar we certainly hope you enjoy: nothing is green-screened, the horse carriage driving over frozen snow at 20 below windchill is very real, the use of French to depict Belgian / Canadian cultures, period costumes worn by over 130+ in the cast all under a micro budget. Subtle VFX to compare locations 100 years apart (such as Room 108 as Emily Parsons goes inside) and add fantasy elements. Experimental camera angles bring the audience inside the Meyer right on stage with a front row / fellow performer POV ... the curtain being shut on purpose to depict a first time play at a first time location such as the Meyer (the audience in it wearing hats because being a first time play no rules were yet established). Transforming the Green Bay airport into Montreal, filming 2000 ft above ground inside the very jet. A lot of risks we hope you can enjoy.

On September 26, 2022, I was browsing the Press Times digital news and ran into the link I am including in the press kit section. It described an urban legend (no police documentation but endless word of mouth) consisting of a jealous husband murdering his wife and his wife's stage partner after opening night at the Vic (Orpheum) Theatre on February 24, 1900. That was the angle I was looking for, as I already had other elements in mind since I returned from Spain where I filmed 4 period/western shorts in the desert, two consecutive summers. This one was going to be urban, but very period filled, showcasing history and people's talents.

My team and I began to co-develop a core script after a very vivid initial storyboard with all-original elements. The murder won't occur at a theater as in the urban legend, but at the inn next door. Plus not all legend rumors are as true as our protagonist Joe Bale imagines. We began filming November 4 and wrapped filming June 6. Editing as we went paid off.

The micro-budget SAG scale allowed us to have a great mix of talent on set. Actors with stage but no screen-acting experience, seasoned SAG screen talent,... cast members joining us from as far as Boston, that is, Mauricio Viteri, whose resemblance with Houdini, icon in Appleton, is nothing short of amazing. Also Pittsburgh, Missouri, Indiana. Also many local actors. Incredible experience.

One of the largest museums in Wisconsin (the Neville Public Museum) is already showing a dedicated historical Room 108 exhibit running June 10 through September 3. This is the first ever indie film in having a prop exhibit showing at a nationally accredited museum weeks before its world premiere.

On behalf of my team, I hope you enjoy this [unique in many ways] entertaining historical, sci-fi film.>>

Freddy Moyano
imdb.me/freddymoyano