“The Bet” Unveils the Human Toll of War
There are types of stories that filmmakers gravitate toward more than others. For example, Nathan Cragun has a tendency to make films set during historic war periods. Now Cragun latest film “The Bet” explores the human psyche during war delving into the consequences of desensitization on the battlefield.
Nathan Cragun reveals that his inspiration for “The Bet” stems from his fascination with the human stories amid times of war. Unlike grand war films of the past, Cragun aims to spotlight the personal, intimate narratives of soldiers who, desensitized to the brutality around them, are jolted back to reality by moments of profound trauma.
“Very often, men on the battlefield become desensitized to their surroundings and it took moments of great trauma to bring them back to reality” said Cragun. “In the hundreds of interactions I’ve experienced with veterans, this has consistently been the case. “The Bet” acts as a vignette to showcase a moment that fits that description. Men, desensitized to the death and destruction that makes up their surroundings, participating in what seems like an innocent wager, only to be reminded that there’s a price to everything.”
Cragun, a student of history and a military member, shares the dual motivation that propels him as a filmmaker – the joy of learning and the satisfaction of creating the final product. Despite filmmaking being a hobby rather than a career, Cragun self-funds his projects and values the constant improvement seen in each endeavor.
“Every short I make is an opportunity to apply a lesson, critique, technique, etc that I received in response to a previous short. As I look back on my shorts, I can see constant improvement and there is a feeling that comes from seeing that improvement that is difficult to describe but is very rewarding. The final product is also a major motivator. Few things feel as good or are as rewarding as finishing a project knowing that you tried your absolute best and that’s something to be proud of.”
His favorite part of making “The Bet” lies in breaking away from established relationships and working with new individuals. Overcoming his fear of potential failure, he organized open casting calls, bringing fresh faces to the project. This decision proved to be a fantastic experience, allowing Cragun to learn from others and receive valuable feedback from first-time collaborators.
“I was always nervous involving people I didn’t know out of fear that I wouldn’t do a good job; a natural human fear. However this time I put out open casting calls and, with three exceptions, everyone in front of the camera was someone I had never worked with before. Ultimately it was an absolutely fantastic experience as I was able to pick their brains and learn something new that I hadn’t previously known. Additionally it was an opportunity to receive feedback from people who are working with me now for the first time! I’ve always been shy with meeting new people and I’m really happy with the overall experience.”
The most challenging aspect of creating “The Bet,” according to Cragun, was overcoming his own fears. The apprehension of working with new people and the fear of not meeting expectations initially hindered his progress. However, the rewarding feeling of overcoming these limitations and taking the leap of faith propelled the project forward.
Reflecting on the experience, Cragun advises aspiring filmmakers to discard their fears and take the plunge, emphasizing the importance of just doing it.
As Cragun considers what he would have done differently, he expresses a desire to have started the project sooner. Despite having the script for three years, he only recently decided to shoot “The Bet.” His advice to emerging filmmakers echoes this sentiment – don’t delay, just shoot. Each shoot is a valuable learning experience, and delaying only postpones the knowledge that could have been gained earlier.
After a brief festival run, “The Bet” will find its place on Cragun’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/firewallfilms1. Cragun submitted the film to eight local festivals, providing audiences with opportunities to experience it on the big screen. For more information on his upcoming shorts and behind-the-scenes details, audiences can follow Cragun’s career on his Facebook page, facebook.com/firewallfilms, along with updates on his personal Facebook and YouTube channel.
The cast of “The Bet” includes Ben Burnett, Jet Ballard, James Carter, Bannon Greer, Tyler Schovaers, and Braden Nelsen. The crew consists of Nathan Cragun, Benjamin Johnson, Jackson Brown, and Karissa Cragun.
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.
