HOMO ERECTUS emerged fin by scaly fin from the primordial mind of writer/director/star Adam Rifkin. Already an established writer and director, Rifkin’s first steps into lead actor territory mark a giant leap in the filmmaker’s creative evolution.HOMO ERECTUS emerged fin by scaly fin from the primordial mind of writer/director/star Adam Rifkin. Already an established writer and director, Rifkin’s first steps into lead actor territory mark a giant leap in the filmmaker’s creative evolution.

The success of HOMO ERECTUS, modest in budget and mammoth in scope, is a testament in large part to the filmmaking resources and community support of Austin, Texas. From the lush locations to the many enthusiastic extras and from the cooperation of the City to the remarkably talented and experienced crew, HOMO ERECTUS is as much the story of a city mobilizing to accommodate independent film production as it is a comedy set in prehistoric times.

Produced by Burnt Orange Productions and Brad Wyman, in association with the University of Texas Film Institute, principal photography on HOMO ERECTUS took place in and around Austin, TX and lasted for 23 days during November and December of 2005. With locations including nature preserves and state parks like Enchanted Rock, Hamilton Pool, Pedernales Falls and the Longhorn Caverns, Burnt Orange was fortunate to find an ally in the Texas Film Commission, which furnished a wide selection of location images and made useful introductions. However, additional locations were found via community allies including the University of Texas. All of HOMO ERECTUS’ green screen photography was made possible due to the generosity of Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellàn and was shot at their notorious Troublemaker Studios.

“We were familiar with Adam’s work,” says producer Carolyn Pfeiffer, “So when we got the script, we fell in love with it. And it was a go from there.”

Adam Rifkin has directed DETROIT ROCK CITY, THE CHASE, and the cult classic THE DARK BACKWARD, and has written others including MOUSEHUNT, SMALL SOLDIERS, ZOOM starring Tim Allen, UNDERDOG, now shooting for Disney, and John Woo’s upcoming HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. He was thrilled to be able to call Austin home for the duration of the HOMO ERECTUS production.

Brad Wyman, who has produced the Academy Award winning MONSTER, as well as FREEWAY with Reese Witherspoon and NBC’s reality hit Tommy Lee Goes to College, frequently collaborates with Rifkin and brought an extensive career of expertise to central Texas.

Another key addition from Los Angeles was world-renowned cinematographer, visual effects supervisor, and author Scott Billups. According to Billups, his goal was to create a rich and epic look. To strive to make each shot special. “Luckily we had a director with vision.”

However the vast majority of the crew, including over forty interns and apprentices enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, are active members of the local film industry. The collaboration between Burnt Orange Productions and the University of Texas Film Institute is groundbreaking. This unique public/private partnership was designed to allow enrolled students from diverse academic backgrounds to work on independent films produced by Burnt Orange Productions alongside Hollywood professionals for course credit; a revolutionary concept to be sure, but with HOMO ERECTUS being its third film, it is safe to say that the idea is firmly taking root.

Copyright © 2008 National Lampoon & Town Lake Films