THE "SEEDY MOTEL" STORY
 
The script called for a "seedy motel" which our team of scouts found with no problem.  Where we ended up shooting the scenes with Rosa and Cliff, one could throw a rock in any direction and hit a business that fit the bill as "seedy".  Writer/Producer Todd McCammon; "By seedy, I meant basically, an obscure, off-the-beaten-path motel.  Low profile so to speak, as this is where Rosa and Cliff run off to.  And for obvious reasons, she doesn't want Gianni to find her.  As producer, I was told by an actor I'd be hearing from his/her lawyer if they were to contract any STD's -- a likely probability of them just floating in the breathable air -- while we were there.  It was that bad.  A few days after we wrapped that scene, we found out in the news that a body had been found in a room there.  A drug deal gone wrong or something.  The same night we were there.  And only hours after we'd left. And we're fairly certain it was a room only two doors down from where we did the scene where Rosa and Cliff approach their room.  Our Sound guy, Clayton Grisso, did the math on the events timeline and... without a doubt, that body had been there the whole time we were.  That was a little TOO seedy.  'Next time I'll write -- I don't know, maybe obscure but definitely NOT seedy motel.  Not funny stuff for sure.  But true nonetheless.
 
 
THE MOTORHOME STORY #1
 
The motorhome that plays a large part in Urban Shakedown was actually anything but a decent looking family RV when purchased for the movie. Pretty safe to have deemed it a POS!  It underwent many mechanical repairs and a complete exterior paint redo that took over a year to complete.  All the way down to a new Ford logo on the front.  It was only after the paint job had been finished was it found out spray painting was one thing definitely not allowed at the storage facility where the work was done due to the fact that overspray would pass throughout to the other units as they are not enclosed above at all.  Meaning open air throughout.  With apologies to the owners of the classic cars stored nearby (info found out later), we will not be able to reveal exactly where we stored the motorhome.  Sincere - but anonymous - apologies...
 
 
THE MOTORHOME STORY #2
 
That sucker was RANK!!!  One thing that wasn't repaired on the motorhome was a terrible exhaust leak.  It of course didn't have working A/C due to its intended short use.  Or misuse as it were.  We would have died from asphyxiation if the windows had been up suffice it to say.  And then there was an issue with who had occupied the motorhome prior to its role in the movie.  After a certain scene was shot the heavens opened up and poured rain for hours.  The motorhome had to be left out totally exposed and the entire interior was essentially flooded.  The next day, sunny as hell and just as hot, the continuing scenes were shot with the actors sitting on soaked seats that we tried to cover with trash bags with little success.  But there was something else in addition to the exhaust fumes.  Let's just say it all became quite apparent why there was tons of D-Con (rat, mouse, whatever bait) found throughout the interior originally.  So heavy exhaust fumes mixed with wet mouse/rat... stuff.  Freakin' horrible smell.
 
 
THE LAKEHOUSE SCENE
 
In the scene where Da'Rell pens a heartfelt letter to his mama at the lake house, the deer(s?) - I have no clue - just appeared as the scene was being set up.  It was a beautiful and unplanned but wonderful thing that just happened.  Nature.  You can't make this stuff up.  And sometimes you have to take what you're given.  In this case we did.  Gladly.  A beautiful scene.
 
 
WRITER TODD McCAMMON IS NO GENIUS
 
While shooting a concept trailer in L.A. for Urban Shakedown a few years earlier, Todd was offered $250,000 on the spot by an Italian production company to finance and produce the film.  A meeting would be arranged the following Monday with the local L.A. rep and the money would be available the same week.  Todd turned it down.  On the spot.  His thinking was that the movie was better and would need a larger budget than that.  He was then told he'd be regretting that decision and would be calling them back. Months later and many failed attempts to secure financing ... he did.  And was unapologetically turned down by said Italian company.  Kind'a like told ya, bitch... Live and learn, people.
 
 
"THE GODFATHER", "APOCOLYPSE NOW" CONNECTION
 
Gray Frederickson, a producer of these two iconic films and many others including "Lady Bugs" (Rodney Dangerfield) and UHF (Weird Al Yankovic), took the time to read an early version of Urban Shakedown and sat down with writer Todd McCammon to discuss its selling points.  Realizing the script had been written to budget (probably UNDER $250K by now, haha) Gray explained that, although it was funny and he had an "ear for dialogue" Todd needed to infuse some of the elements that make up a Hollywood picture - essentially, it needed to be bigger.  Lesson learned, Todd went back to the drawing board and banged out the version of Urban Shakedown you see in the film.  Much bigger for sure.  We thank Gray Frederickson for his assistance and insight.
 
 
THE EXPENSIVE "QWIK RENT A CAR" SIGN
 
To be filed in the "things you find out after it's too late" category; The sign for the fictitious Qwik Rent A Car company apparently cost a lot more to make than was budgeted for.  The person responsible for making it disassembled a signed print that his/her spouse had been storing along with other less valuable pieces.  Deemed disposable as well, the print was removed from its matte backing and discarded.  The new backing and lettering for the sign was then added.  It retains the original frame - which, it is hoped, will not be recognized in the movie.  The maker of the sign has asked to not be identified.
 
 
 
THE SORBET LADY
 
Having a sudden commitment come up, the original actress in the restaurant scene was replaced out of necessity by the non-actress mother of one of the extras who had brought her son in for the experience.   Now-actress Kim Johnston-Horton (yay!) wound up stealing the scene without having to speak at all.  We think you'll agree... she is hysterical!  Proof that there are no small parts.  Priceless.



CLOSING CREDIT SCENE WITH VINNIE AND CARLO

Totally ad-libbed!  The incredibly talented and funny duo of Dan Braverman (Carlo) and his movie sidekick Sam Martinez (Vinnie) talking to the Boss Man was not at all in the script.  Director Travis Ammons had the great idea of letting the two run free and loose explaining what in the actual f***  just happened when they'd been given the proverbial one job.  You may never really find out either - but they're funny as hell giving it their best shot.  Yep, ad-lib at its best!  And sorry to those offended.  Nah.