Lights, Camera, Action! “On Earth As It Is In Heaven” Wraps
On Earth As It Is In Heaven: It’s Twice the Wild Ride!
At Lucky You Films, we believe the best stories are born from the heart of the human experience – and sometimes, the utter chaos of trying to capture it on a shoestring budget. Our latest feature, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, is a prime example of this philosophy in action. It’s more than just a movie; it's a journey—for the characters, for our ridiculously dedicated crew, and ultimately, for you, our audience, who gets two wild rides merged into one!
This film is a brilliant collaboration from the talented minds of writer/producer/actor Ben Best (Eastbound & Down, The Foot Fist Way, and Your Highness) and writer/director/producer Kent Smith (The Last Passport, MIKE, and Little Package). Together, they’ve crafted a dark comedy that challenges the very notion of a "road trip" film... by showing you the absurdity of trying to make one.
The premise is double-layered: we follow an independent film crew as they attempt to shoot a profound and poignant film about five longtime friends embarking on a mission to spread their late friend’s ashes. But here's the kicker: the making of this film quickly descends into its own disaster-riddled, darkly hilarious odyssey. From rogue props to unexpected weather, and the general madness of indie filmmaking on a budget, the crew's journey becomes as dramatic and laugh-out-loud funny as the story they're trying to tell. The film's core explores the absurdity of grief, the unbreakable bonds of friendship (both on-screen and behind the scenes), and the sheer willpower it takes to create art when everything goes wrong.
Ben Best (L) and Jonathan Bedford (R) onset of “On Earth As It Is In Heaven”
The Making of a Modern Indie Classic
Filming this project (the one you're reading about, not the one in the movie!) was a beautiful, chaotic, and inspiring experience. Our team at Lucky You Films aimed to capture the raw authenticity of both adventures, a task that required meticulous planning, an enthusiastic embrace of the unexpected, and probably a few extra cups of coffee. The reality of indie filmmaking is often a crazy adventure in itself, and this movie doesn't just show you the story, it gives you a front-row seat to the glorious, unhinged chaos behind the camera. Think of it as a love letter to the process, sprinkled with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.
We were blessed with a dynamic and talented cast who brought these characters (both the ones in the movie and the "filmmakers" trying to make it) to life with genuine charm and authenticity. This includes Johanna Jowett (Everything Happens at Once, Little Package), Alicia Fusting (When We Last Spoke, An Angelic Christmas), Patrick G. Keenan (The Blind Side, Homeland), Jonathan Bedford (Evergreen Christmas), MIke Platarote Jr. (Saturday Night, Are you There God? It’s Margaret) and Ben Best (Superbad, EastBound & Down) himself. Their performances are a powerful blend of humor, vulnerability, and heart, making everyone involved feel incredibly real and relatable, even as they face down one absurd, budget-stretching challenge after another.
From the quiet, reflective moments to the uproarious comedic chaos (often happening simultaneously!), we worked tirelessly to ensure every scene resonated with the film's central themes. It's a story that grapples with life's biggest questions—about loss, love, and what it truly means to live—all wrapped in a package that will leave you laughing deeply moved, and perhaps a little more appreciative of the blood, sweat, and tears (mostly sweat, honestly) that go into making an indie film. The dedication of our entire crew, led by the visionary direction of Kent Smith, was nothing short of amazing, creating an environment where a team could come together to tell a story that truly matters, even if the "making of" that story became a story in itself.
What's Next? (Beyond the Double Feature Wrapped in One!)
On Earth As It Is In Heaven is a testament to the power of independent filmmaking – both the kind you watch and the kind that almost breaks you. It's a film that explores grief and friendship in the most unexpected ways, and it definitely shows you the funnier, wilder side of filmmaking when passion meets a tight budget. We are incredibly proud of what we've accomplished.
As we prepare to share this double-feature with the world, with plans for submission to major film festivals, we want to thank everyone who has been a part of this incredible, two-layered production.
Get ready to laugh, to cry, and to be reminded that even in the most chaotic moments (whether they're on-screen or just off-camera), friendship is always the greatest adventure. We can't wait for you to experience this story and see a film that is truly lucky to be in the world!
On Earth As It Is In Heaven - Key Art
The Last Passport is handing out advice on YouTube.
We are proud to announce that The Last Passport is now available on YouTube. Make sure to share it with your friends!
Make sure to Subscribe to our youtube channel to follow more films: YouTube Channel
"Reel Conversations" with our filmmakers of MIKE
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers featured in the 21st Annual International Real to Reel Film Festival. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with filmmakers connected to the short film “Mike.” “Mike” is the story on an intellectually challenged man choosing to follow his dream by visiting a distant shore. Kent Smith (writer, producer, director), Patrick G. Keenan (actor – “Mike”) and Steve Saxon (cinematography) share the stories of the making of this Real to Reel Film Fest selection. The Cleveland County Arts Council will host nearly 50 films in a virtual festival format from Sept. 9 -Oct. 9. For over two decades, Real to Reel has showcased thought-provoking films from around the world and offers opportunities for cinema-lovers to embrace the independent vision of this unique art form. For more information on the Real to Reel International Film Festival, visit realtoreelfest.com For more information on “Mike” visit dreammike.com.
MIKE - Short/Feature Film in Production
Have you ever wondered? Wonder how things could be different in the future and how they could change? I have watched a young boy starting to grow up who has some difficulties in what most of us take for granted, developing. When ordinary skills are slow to develop, other skills are developing faster and faster. This one particular kid has developed an ability that reaches straight to the heart of people around him with his smile and love. He has developed a unique gift that so many humans have overlooked, love.
Coming up with a story is sometimes a hard thing, but when it's something close to your heart, the ideas start rolling. In the case of MIKE, the idea was very clear from the beginning, what would Mike, a mentally challenged man in his mid 50's, be like when he grew older? He lives with his mom, and his father passed away early in his life. He works as a simple flower watering boy for his friend Donald who owns his own landscaping business.
With this idea, a story started to grow, and then that story went from the pages of a script to the actor's review. Once the actors were on board, then we started finding the perfect crew that believed in indie filmmaking and telling great stories. What began as a 20-page script has developed into something amazing. Currently, with the help of a fantastic crew and cast, we have started our journey of shooting a short/feature film. We are now in the process of shooting around the state of North Carolina from Charlotte to Wrightsville Beach.
We hope that you will continue to follow our story as it grows to the big screen. We have some exciting news around the corner for this film. Make sure you LIKE MIKE.
www.dreammike.com
Mike (Patrick Keenan) is bringing a new meaning to being hot in the south with co-star Caroline (Johanna Jowett). He is thankful for A/C.
LUCKY YOU FILMS LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST- ADULT BEVERAGE PODCAST HOSTED BY KENT SMITH, PATRICK KEENAN AND LAURA TRUMAN
CHARLOTTE, N.C. JUNE 21, 2019— Lucky You Films has launched a new podcast called Adult Beverage Podcast, (http://www.adultbeverage.org), a podcast about analyzing film for its merit and value as more than just entertainment, but rather as an art form for filmmakers and enthusiasts and its geared toward film lovers from 25-60 years of age.
With each Episode, they bring in a mystery guest, directors, producers, actors, and filmmakers, to discuss the inner workings of some of their favorite movies. The guest identity is always covered up by a fake stage name to protect the guest while everyone enjoys an adult beverage.
Each one of the show host's comes from a different background, which is why this show has a lot to offer. Laura Truman brings her film knowledge from years of working in stores like Blockbuster, Media Play, and the legendary VisArt. She is an avid collector of cinema (Over Five Thousand Movies) in all types from DVD's, VHS, Beta Tapes and even Laser Disk. Patrick Keenan comes from the acting world and has appeared in commercials include Coca-Cola, Y12 Federal Credit Union, and Harris Teeter, as well as feature films, include, Jimmy, Absolute Killers, Dark Remains, The Dogs of Chinatown, Zombie Kings, Monopolian, Devil’s Crossing, Never Feed The Troll, Artifacts and the Academy Award Nominated film, The Blind Side. Other projects include an episode of the Showtime series Homeland, an episode of Cinemax’s Outcast, and roles in the features Dollface, Partners, Fantasma, and Pink. Kent Smith brings his award-winning style of years of working behind the camera as a director, photographer, and cinematographer to the table. Kent has worked on some of the most fantastic shows on tv including Homeland, Outcast, Six and Mr. Mercedes as well as many feature films including Max, Tusk, Racing Dreams, and American Animals and many more.
Kent Smith says, “We are always reviewing movies and tv shows, new and old while digging into the history of a film for cinema lovers, young and old. It's something that we love being involved in as well as discussing.”
Fans of the podcast can contact Kent Smith via email to provide feedback and ideas for the podcast, or to become a guest on the show. adultbeverage@adultbeverage.org
“Everything I learned I learned from the
movies.”
― Audrey Hepburn
To listen to the podcast, visit
Stitcher
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kent-smith/adult-beverage-podcast?refid=stpr
iTunes / Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adult-beverage-podcast/id1451996740
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/22Y8H5n55B6eKhxCW7zsC6?lsi=SI2I6s6CQ6uijSbSl4Ff8A
Google Play Music
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwrukcggnhket3b2twsybppgl7u?t=Adult_Beverage_Podcast
TuneIn
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwrukcggnhket3b2twsybppgl7u?t=Adult_Beverage_Podcast
iTunes / Apple Podcasts
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adult-beverage-podcast/id1451996740
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/22Y8H5n55B6eKhxCW7zsC6?lsi=SI2I6s6CQ6uijSbSl4Ff8A
Google Play Music
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwrukcggnhket3b2twsybppgl7u?t=Adult_Beverage_Podcast
TuneIn
https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwrukcggnhket3b2twsybppgl7u?t=Adult_Beverage_Podcast
The crew of Adult Beverage Podcast talk about films new and old.
Behind the Scenes of The Last Passport
What would you do if you have just 30 days to make a full feature film? Oh, you say you don’t have a script, then this is the videos that you will want to watch. Lucky You Films was extremely lucky with the talented people who worked on the film to make this an extraordinary story that will change how you look at people forever.