My Leap From Actor To Producer On MISSION PARK by Douglas Spain

(Photo credit Jonviscott.com)

How would you describe the story of Mission Park?

SPAIN: It’s a story of good vs. bad.  Four friends are involved in a violent incident that haunts them later in life.  These four friends a end up on opposite sides of the law and are pitted against one another.  What happens next is something that you will have to see when Mission Park is in theaters beginning September 6th.

How did you get involved with the project?

SPAIN: I was initially offered one of the lead roles.  At the time the film really needed a producer and I felt I was ready to fill those shoes.

What were some of the challenges of being a producer on the project?

SPAIN: I am both a producer and an actor in Mission Park.  I was inspired by the story and decided to dedicate my time both in front and behind the camera.  It was kismet, I guess.

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What was the casting process like?

SPAIN: It was fun!  I was now on the other side of the audition process.  It was a great way to see how various actors approach the material. The leads had already been offered to some talented up and coming actors, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with before.  Brock/Allen Casting brought in some of the most talented actors from Texas, especially the younger versions of our leads.

What did you enjoy the most about filming this project?

SPAIN: The first day on set!  It was a true sign that our vision was finally coming to fruition.  When the actors bring the characters to life, it’s simply magic.  We were also blessed with some of the best crew in Texas and our DP was simply amazing.  He moved like The Flash, he was so fast

What obstacles did you encounter along the way?

SPAIN: I encounter obstacles on a daily basis.  There is never a day I’m not required to put out some fires pertaining to Mission Park.  It’s part of the territory and I love every minute of it!

Tell me a little about the AMC Theaters distribution of the film.

SPAIN: AMC Theaters was the silver lining on a whole year of being rejected from many distributors.  We knew we had a solid film on our hands worthy of the silver screen.  We did have several offers on the table but none ever included a theatrical release.  Finally my co-producer David J. Phillips reached out to his contacts over at AMC Theaters.  They watched the film and felt it had potential.  Fortunate for us that AMC allocates 20% of their screens for independent filmmakers like ourselves.  The other wonderful aspect is that we are in complete control of our theatrical release.  We sure hope we know what we’re doing.  I hope we will find you with us September 6th.

BIO:

Douglas Spain captured critical praise and a 1998 Independent Spirit Award nomination for his feature film debut in Fox Searchlight’s “Star Maps.” The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, tells the dark-humored story of ‘Carlos’ (Spain), who’s route to realizing his dreams of acting leads him to selling maps to the stars’ homes as well as himself on the streets of Los Angeles.

Spain was last seen in “Brothers and Sisters” opposite Sally Field, and “The Mentalist” directed by David Nutter. He has starred in two HBO productions, the Emmy and Golden Globe winning miniseries “Band Of Brothers” produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, as well as “Walkout.” Other credits include “The Reading Room” opposite James Earl Jones for the Hallmark Channel; “44 Minutes” with Michael Madsen for FX; “Delivering Milo” with Bridget Fonda and Albert Finney for Deepak Nayar; USA Films’ “Cherry Falls” with Brittany Murphy and Jay Mohr; Artisan Entertainment’s “Permanent Midnight” alongside Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson; “Hunting Of Man” an independent film that he also Executive Produced; and three Lionsgate Films: “But I’m a Cheerleader” with Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall, “Ricochet River” starring opposite Kate Hudson, and “What’s Cooking” with Mercedes Ruehl, Alfre Woodard and Kyra Sedgwick.

Spain recurred on the Showtime Original Series “Resurrection Boulevard” with Elizabeth Pena and Esai Morales. He was also well received in the Showtime Original Picture “12 Angry Men,” as part of a stellar ensemble cast including such acclaimed actors as Ossie Davis, George C. Scott, Jack Lemmon, Hume Cronyn, James Gandolfini and Edward James Olmos under the direction of William Friedkin. Spain made his directorial debut with the short film “Charity” which premiered at The Method Fest. He pursued his career behind the camera with “Mission Park,” a multi-million dollar feature film he produced that premieres theatrically this Fall through AMC Theaters.

Douglas Spain’s stage productions include “Gunplay: La Familia” with Naked Angels, L.A. and “Sunrise In My Pocket” with Playmakers Repertory Company, North Carolina under the direction of Jeffrey Hayden.

Spain currently resides in Los Angeles.  Visit his IMDB page here.

ABOUT MISSION PARK:

MISSION PARK will be released in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Antonio on September 6th, and several other markets. The film won the Best Narrative Feature, Best Direct and Best Acting Performance (Walter Perez) at this year’s Boston International Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize  at the World Fest Houston International Film Festival.  The film stars Jeremy Ray Valdez (Walkout), Walter Perez (The Avengers), Fernanda Romero (Drag Me to Hell) Joseph Julian Soria (Crank: High Voltage, Filly Brown), and Wil Rothhaar (Battle Los Angeles).  It also features Vivica A. Fox, Will Estes and Sean Patrick Flanery.

In Mission Park, the ambitions of four childhood friends land them on opposite sides of the law. Rookie FBI agents Bobby (Valdez) and Julian (Rothhaar) must go undercover and face their hidden pasts in an attempt to bring down their ‘best friends’ (PEREZ, SORIA) criminal organization. The film is written by Bryan Anthony Ramirez and produced by Spirit Award Nominee Douglas Spain.