Casting

Writer/Director Michael Goldburg knew he needed a group of incredibly talented actors to pull off the dialogue-driven script. He had wanted to work with actors Sarah Franek and Gareth Saxe (who also happens to be Michael’s brother-in-law) for quite some time, and Happy Trails was the perfect showcase for their talents.  He also wanted to work with Barbara Miluski again (after casting her in his previous film, Before the Big Game) and wrote the other female character with her in mind.  Barbara recommended George Spaventa, from her New York theater company, to play her husband and round out the cast.  Michael and the actors then rehearsed for several weeks before shooting, and he incorporated many of their improvisations into the script. 

 

Production

Michael chose fellow NYU alum, Peter Olsen, as director of photography.  Peter brought his narrative strengths to the photography of Michael’s previous award-winning NYU thesis film, Home on the Range, and their collaboration on Happy Trails grew out of that experience.  As for the look of the film, Michael and Peter preferred doing longer takes and using more master shots to foreground the actors’ performances.  They also wanted to frame the story in a way that the landscapes and locations commented on the characters.  

 

Post Production

Jason Brown, producer, recommended fellow NYU filmmaker, Jeff Vennard, as editor.  A filmmaker in his own right, Jeff brought a sharp sense of narrative and comedy to shape the film.  Jason also recommended another of his frequent collaborators, Scott Koué, for sound design.  Having worked on the award-winning sound team for Titanic, among other films, Scott brought a depth of talent and experience that elevated the film to another level.  In addition, Michael wanted to work with Emmy-winning composer Michael Whalen after screening another of his films, The Motel, at Michael Whalen’s film series, Music in the Dark III.  Inspired by the films of Alexander Payne, and particularly by Rolfe Kent’s score for Sideways, Michael Whalen’s breezy, comic score perfectly captures and sets the tone for Happy Trails.