Moviegoers devoted to survival stories will flock to see the production of “Love of Life,” one of Jack London’s best short stories of man against nature.
The adaptation, written and produced by Robert B. Gregg, recently finished production in the interior of Alaska where the original story took place.
The plot focuses on a gold miner from 1905 who leaves his claim late in the year, is abandoned by his partner, and must survive the hardships of Alaska to make it back to his fiancé in Fairbanks.
The tag line for the motion picture is “Where there’s hope, there’s life.”
For a writer watching his work go onto film for the first time, it was a great experience, Gregg said, devoid of the infighting and complications that notoriously accompany most shoots.
“The filming went beyond our expectations,” said Gregg. “We had a great crew from L.A. and Anchorage that worked well together. They are true professionals and it showed in the production quality.”
Gregg also gave kudos to the people of Alaska, especially to the military at Fort Greely, Alaska. “The local people and the military went out of their way to make us feel welcomed,” Gregg said. “We would film there again in a heartbeat.”
Kevin Swigert, Sun Valley, Idaho, directed the film. The director of photography was Jeffrey Smith of Los Angeles. Roarke Boes, also from L.A., was the first assistant director.
“I stayed in a house with the director and the director of photography,” said Gregg, “and the images they created express my screenplay in a dramatic and heartrending way. The film produces the emotions of a person facing insurmountable odds, and shows the beauty and vastness of Alaska.”
Peter Ammel, Madison, Wisconsin, played the lead. Ammel, a regional stage actor, has starred in several plays including: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Macbeth, Oliver, Guys and Dolls, and Into the Woods.
“Peter was fantastic. The consummate method actor,” said Gregg. “Not many actors get the chance to play the lead in their first feature film. And his performance was outstanding. He set an example of professionalism for all of us to follow.”
Also involved in the motion picture, are Executive Producers Ken Meshigaud, Jeff and Rosalie Naser, and Bob Schellenberg.
Love of Life is currently in post-production.
“The editing will take about three months,” said Gregg. “Then it goes to the music composer who will work on the score for about two additional months. After that the final revisions are made and it is digitally finished for release in high definition and Blu-Ray versions.”
The film is set for release in June of 2012. A Michigan Premiere is being planned in June, with a Hollywood Premiere in July. The film will also have a premiere in Alaska in December of 2012.
