In PYRITE, Chicago’s West Side is the most pivotal location of the entire story. It’s only fitting that our most intense filming took place in this area of the city as well. We had a ton to accomplish with very few resources, making it a struggle nearly every step of the way.
I can’t even tell you how many times we went back to the West Side for filming, over at California and Lake Street. I seriously lost count, even if some of those days were simply RJ and I going back to get pickups. Of all the places we filmed, PYRITE’s deepest and most heartfelt connection was to the West Side of Chicago.
It should be no surprise that, for me personally, this is by far my favorite picture gallery. It truly sums up the highs and the lows of PYRITE as a whole — from the intense scenes filmed in a dark, dank warehouse, to the adrenaline rush moments during our special effects shots at California and Lake, to yours truly here, afraid of heights yet filming on rooftops. I look at these pictures and the whole emotional experience of this crazy “bite off more than you can chew” project comes rushing back.
That said, my favorite pic here is actually the one in the alley with Assistant Director PK and the prop gun. I still laugh every time I look at it.
Hope you enjoy these.
