Ben Kyle: Mercy from Royal Antler on Vimeo.

This is a film I directed and co-wrote with T.C. Worley, under our film company, Royal Antler.

Our short film/music video “Mercy” is alternately anxious and joyful as it follows a happy young couple through a difficult life interruption. Filmed in rural Wisconsin, it is as beautiful as it is touching.

The film’s visuals are accompanied by music artist Ben Kyle’s emotively moving song, also entitled “Mercy”.

Created in partnership with Iron Tumbleweed Productions, this film was an entry in the 2013 Z-Fest Film Festival. We’d like to thank our talented, hardworking crew for teaming up to make this piece with us. We would also like to thank Splice.tv for the post production. Their entire team is very talented and a true pleasure to work with. – T.C. Worley. 

Directed by: Tony Franklin
Director of Photography: T.C. Worley
Written by: Tony Franklin & T.C. Worley
Starring: Ben Kyle, Annette Diana Neist, Kurt Peterson
Produced by: Sean A. Skinner, Adam Estrem (Iron Tumbleweed Pictures)
Editor: Nick Gumm
Assistant Director: Katherine Curtis
Production Coordinator: Nick Kesler
Production Assistants: Ryan Swan, Andrew Burton
Original Score: Ben Kyle
Sound design: Kelly Pieklo
Location sound: Bernie Beaudry

Nominations in the Z-Fest Film Festival:
Best Original Score – Winner
Best Editing – Winner
Best Picture – 4th Runner Up
Best Directing
Best Cinematography
Best Cast/Overall Acting
Best Kiss

How does a man move and shape a culture? Our love of storytelling compelled us to find out, so we dug into the story of the Almanzo 100 gravel road race–the granddaddy of them all. We found that a single man’s passion for community has manifested itself in a bike race. The challenge: to race 100 miles of gravel roads without assistance or outside support. Pain and suffering exist temporarily, but the satisfaction of a battle won will empower these racers the rest of their lives. Call it a movement if you’d like but please don’t call it a fad. Gravel racing is here to stay.  - T.C. Worley

Directed by: Tony Franklin
Director of Photography: T.C. Worley
Edited by: Matthew Kroese
Assistant Camera: Jonathan Chapman
Assistant Camera: Matthew Jensen
Location Sound: John Fontana
Sound Design: Kent Militzer
Colorist: Sue Lakso
Music: Doomtree

ARTCRANK Teaser from Royal Antler on Vimeo.

The “Poster Party for Bike People” that grew out of Minneapolis is happening in cities across the US and Europe this Spring and Summer. We’re proud to be teaming up with Crash and Sue’s, Doomtree and more to tell this unique story. – T.C. Worley

Directed by: Tony Franklin
Director of Photography: T.C. Worley
Assistant Camera: Eric Schleicher
Edited by: Ryan Wheeler
Sound Design: Kent Militzer
Colorist: Sue Lakso
Music: Doomtree

This film will premier Thursday, 23rd at The REELS X WHEELS film festival.