DIRECTOR’S COMMENT
Why Science Fiction?
My initial reason for choosing this genre was because it was the one that initially inspired me to become a filmmaker. Like most young boys, I thought anything with spaceships, lasers and explosions was frickin’ cool.
But as I got older, something else happened. I noticed the science fiction films that stayed with me were those where you could strip away all the stereotypical genre trappings (ships, laser guns, aliens, time travel, etc.) and the story would still be relevant and interesting.
“While I had absolutely no interest in making a movie about spaceships, I did have an interest about making a movie about the people on those ships and the lives they led.” - writer/director Nicholas Meyer on what attracted him to STAR TREK II: WRATH OF KHAN.
I made FINAL RUN because I have an interest in both. Science fiction is one of the few genres where one can explore relevant issues in an endlessly unique myriad of ways while simultaneously entertaining your audience.
The other personal allure of this genre was the fact I could literally create my own world. This means I got to dream up everything from the future history of humanity, to what type of ships and weapons my characters used. Yes that’s more demanding creatively and financially for a filmmaker and crew than a "simple" (if such a term exists in moviemaking) drama. But the unique opportunity to apply the genre filmmaking techniques I'd read about over the years to my own story was simply too great to pass up.
Like many ambitious endeavors, the final product is not the work of just one person. From my instructors at Loyola, to my production and post production crew, I have many people to thank. First, I never would have been able to even consider making a film as ambitious as FINAL RUN if it weren’t for Darin Kuhlmann and Bill Hawk. From the film’s initial inception, Darin and Bill were essential in getting this project realized. I simply could not have done it without them. I must also thank Stuart Cropley, whose tremendous post production talents enabled me to finish FINAL RUN properly; Webmaster Will Pitts for putting together this website; all my friends, family, mentors, and people who selflessly volunteered their time and talents, and Paul Haggar. Finally, thank you to Harve Bennett, who not only got the ball rolling all those years ago, but also selflessly shared both his time and wisdom.
Making FINAL RUN has been the most daunting challenge I’ve ever undertaken. But it was also a great learning experience. So when people ask me if it was worth all the delays, stress, physical, mental, and financial fatigue, my answer is always the same: "Yes."
Because the little boy inside me who loves movies still thinks lasers and spaceships are frickin’ cool...
Ken Foley
Los Angeles, CA