Thor Moreno has been involved in filmmaking for more than 16 years, and says that his latest venture as producer of a Midwestern original television series, “From Chaos,” really began years ago with a passion for cinematic production that was born in his youth.
He says he bought his first camera for $200 at a pawn shop and made three or four short films and music videos with it. The new series is actually based of off Moreno’s first feature-length screen play that he wrote 16 or 17 years ago.
Moreno is working with Des Moines-based production company, Fearless Cinema, and a casting call has gone out for tomorrow (Saturday) at the Des Moines Social Club on Mulberry Street. He says that in addition to the many, many people that they will need for the series, they have not yet even cast the main characters.
The majority of actors cast for that series, Moreno says, came from Iowa. While working and adapting “From Chaos” over the years, Moreno says he has developed a fondness for the female lead, Helena Redwolf, who undergoes a huge change from the onset. She has a lot to offer, he says, but she is very vulnerable, lonely and shy. In a very short period of time, her decisions and the hurdles she faces transform her. Moreno describes the plotline, but does so in a way that won’t give too much away.
He adds that even though he was raised in California for the majority of his life, there is something very cool about Des Moines. “It kind of has that city feel, but it still is very much a small town,” he says. He has always been fascinated by the history of the area, especially the tidbits about mobsters coming from Chicago. The history and the setting are inspirations for his writing, and he believes it provides him the ability to bring to them an authentic feel. Moreno is not at liberty to discuss when or where the series will be aired, but he does say that 95 percent of the filming will take place in Des Moines with select segments done in Chicago. Production could begin as soon as the next few weeks. Aspiring and experienced actors over the age of 18 are encouraged to come by the Des Moines Social club between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. They can expect to spend a few minutes meeting with and talking to the principals, have a photo taken and provide them with callback information.
