When someone asks if you want to drive your post apocalyptic ride across the barren countryside for a weekend with other like minded enthusiasts, you don't say no. It's an offer made even better when the effort is to support the creation of a Mad Max themed fan film.
Faith vs Fate Productions had a vision of creating a short film called Wasteland Legends set in the Mad Max universe using both franchise replica cars and costumes (like the Falcon Interceptor) and custom creations (like our Daytona). The entire film was shot over a long weekend in November where temperature highs were in the 30's. It was a tough schedule, and not everything went to plan, but the cast and crew amazing to work with and it will be a cherished experience long remembered!
The pics on this page are both from our own cameras and from others that were on set who were kind enough to share them with us. Additionally, the film is embedded below for your amusement. Enjoy!
Location
Shooting for Wasteland Legends took place near Palouse Falls State Park in Washington. The area was very remote and absolutely gorgeous. Even though the temperatures were brisk it still looked desert enough to thematically fit the Mad Max vibe they were going for. Unfortunately, because shooting was taking place mid November with much shorter days, shooting hours were limited which put extra pressure on an already tight schedule. Several scenes had to be rushed or skipped altogether (like my fight and death). Click through the gallery for more pictures of the shooting locations.
Our Part
Along with the Daytona, I was cast as a bad guy named Katchum Jack. It's basically a bad guy variation on my Wasteland Weekend costume and persona. My character's premise was basically that a couple of ladies stole my ride and I gather the rest of the baddies gang to chase them down and get it back. Unfortunately for me (or rather Jack), the reunion with my precious car is short lived. I won't spoil it for you but it's definitely not how I wanted to go out.
This replica car from Road Warrior is what delivers me to the Daytona. It is used as the main "boss bad guy" car in the film.
I'm not nearly as menacing without the mask. You can see why they made me wear it. Cute makeup though.
Dauntless Daytona
The Daytona felt right at home racing through the desolated Washington country side. We'd do this everyday if we could. Because we ran out of time for shooting there were whole sections of the Daytona and the car chase that were incomplete. I'm hopeful we can correct this one day with a Wasteland Legends 2.
Someone brought a "spare" Mad Max nose so for fun I stuck it on the Daytona. Kinda cool :)
The adults of Washtucna didn't quite know what to make of our cars but the kids loved them and thought we were celebrities. Everyone we met in this tiny town was great.
Not to brag but one of the problems we had throughout shooting was outpacing the other cars. It was difficult to maintain a slower pace. The Daytona just wanted to tear it up. While waiting for the team to film other scenes I was able to get the car out and let her rip away from the pack. It was as much fun as you'd think it was.
To be fair to the replica cars though, the roads were quite rocky, rutted, and consistently threatening to damage the oil pans of the replica cars riding at stock suspension height. The Murdercedes had the height and power but low visibility and loose steering kept it from being too aggressive.
The Other Cars
While the Daytona is our personal favorite (no bias there), there were other star cars in this film that were badass in their own right. The red XA Bat car from Road Warrior (Mad Max 2) is owned by Dee from Mad Max Cars. If you want a Mad Max replica of any kind, they are the people to talk to. Next is the Fury Road themed Interceptor built by Bill Brown. Standing tall is the Murdercedes build by Michael Hughes. And lastly of course is our Dauntless Daytona. Two Mad Max replica cars and two custom wasteland ready machines. What more could you want?
Remember when I said it was cold?
““Driving 26 miles to location each morning with no heat and no windows while it was 12 degrees outside was awesome. Probably my favorite part of the weekend,” he said sarcastically.”