Behind the Scenes of John Cheney’s “Payday”
Open Cinema played host to the crime thriller “Payday,” written, directed, and produced by John Cheney. The film takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride as bank manager Nick Frazier, played by Kenneth Applegate, faces an unexpected and unconventional bank robbery.
Cheney, who also produced the film alongside Wayne Musgrave, shared insights into the making of “Payday” during an interview with me, shedding light on the challenges and wins of his latest production.
“To avoid spoilers I’m being intentionally vague, but I immediately thought the scenario had the potential for intense drama. However, the story and characters are all our invention. It became not just a story about a crime, but one of survival. And in order to film it on a low budget, I determined the robbery had to occur early in the morning, perhaps on a Saturday, before the bank opened. Those were restrictions but they also gave us possibilities. And though it’s a short film, we were able to give the story some twists and turns.”
One standout aspect of the filmmaking process, according to Cheney, was the enthusiastic and creative collaboration of the small cast and crew.
“We were a small and fast production—filming in 2 ½ days with a crew of 6. Everyone worked hard, had great ideas, and contributed throughout. There are many things the cast and crew did that made the film what it is.”
Cheney highlighted an instance during blocking where actors Kenneth Applegate and Ray Case proposed a creative idea that enhanced the scene beyond the script.
“I enjoyed that collaboration” said Cheney.
The film did not come without its challenges. Filming in sweltering heat, with temperatures reaching near 100 degrees, posed difficulties for the cast and crew. Cheney praised their resilience, emphasizing that the positive attitude and hard work of everyone involved contributed to overcoming the hurdles.
“We made sure everyone was hydrated and cooled when possible, but it wasn’t easy. Even with the car scenes we couldn’t run air conditioning during takes to ensure clean sound. One day, we shot in 4 locations. Again, it came back to the hard work and positive attitude from the cast and crew that got us through that. No one complained—we just pulled together and there was a lot of enthusiasm to get it done.”
Looking back on the production, Cheney reflected on the logistical challenges of wearing multiple hats as a producer, director, and writer. He expressed a desire to collaborate with other filmmakers in the future.
“Over the years, I’ve worked in many positions, and on a small project with a tight budget (Payday‘s was $4,000) I don’t mind taking on multiple roles. But the logistics of a fast-moving production can get tricky when you’re wearing a lot of hats. I’d love to collaborate with other filmmakers—help out with their shorts and trade work on projects. I’d particularly like to help with writing and cinematography. I’ve written over 20 short films and 2 published novels. I also own my own cameras, lenses, and lighting package. I’d enjoy lending my skills to a project I don’t have to produce or direct.”
As “Payday” embarks on its festival run, audiences eager to experience the intense drama can follow updates on festival acceptances, screenings, and more on the film’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Paydayshortmovie.
Cheney also teased his upcoming project, a film centered around a grieving actress in a remote cabin, set to go into production this winter.
Payday stars Kenneth Applegate as Nick Frazier, Ray Chase as the Grim Reaper, Ala Lindsey as Tina Flores, Michael Bastian as Det. Caudill, Blake Losee as Jeff Dawson and Wayne Musgrave as Det. Marks. The crew consists of John Cheney (Writer/Director/Producer), Wayne Musgrave (Producer), Rob Field (Visual Effects), Aliyah Jakeman and Connor Raven (Production Sound Mixers) and Camera Operators Blake Losee and Colton Backus.
Often I don’t get to see films like “Payday” until they are submitted to Open Cinema or the Utah International Film Festival. I am so excited to see the hard work being made by local filmmakers to tell their unique stories. Now it’s time to pack up and hit the road to find the next great story behind the camera. See you on set.
About Warren Workman
Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.
