WAYWARD

CHLOE SHELTON WRITER, DIRECTOR, & EDITOR of "Wayward"

Any filmmaker you ask will tell you that some films start out with one particular seed of an idea and by the time they are through the editing stage they have completely changed into a whole different beast. Wayward is one of those films for me! What started out as a film that would be set completely in the dark forest of Colonial Virginia with a cast of two and a skeleton crew, an exercise in making a small film in which dialogue and foley told the story, came to be a much larger project with twists, turns, challenges, and ultimately a pandemic thrown in the mix! When I finished the editing I felt like I myself had been lost in the dark forest for a very long time! The story changed in editing due to re-shoots being impossible because of a pandemic and an actor with a growth spurt. But, despite all the challenges that Wayward presented including the heat, ticks, and chiggers, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world! I got to work with an amazing team of filmmakers and artists that have carried over into other projects since Wayward! I had the best costume designer in all the land that custom-made my principal characters' historically accurate costumes down to the undergarments that aren't even seen on camera! We shot at beautiful locations including Historic Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg, VA, and we got lost in the woods in Forest, VA. I partnered with a dulcimer player from Florida, a colonial string trio from Tennessee, and a tin whistle player from Lynchburg all of whom contributed tracks of their version of the theme song for the film! Not to mention an amazing editor who consulted with me via file sharing online during the long editing process!

Wayward is the story of a family divided over political leanings and a son who feels pulled from both sides. Anger and close-mindedness versus unconditional love of family is the battle that ensues.

Starring: Elliott Ware & Gabrielle Shelton

Also featuring: Taylor Cobb, Zachary Conklin, Jim Hoover, Nathan Kellner, Dawn Peterson, and many wonderful background actors

Executive Producer: Dave Perry

Director of Photography: Kayla Saunders

Producer: Jill Shelton

First Assistant Director: Reid Burton

Second Assistant Director: Justin Patton

Boom Operator and Sound Mixer: Carter Schaeffer

Grip: Zachary Conklin

Second Assistant Camera: Nathan Kellner

Key Grip: Ben Mullen

Key Grip: Pelin Yirmibesoglu