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Date: 4/19/2022
SPRINGFIELD – A high-concept streaming series entitled “Chronos Mercury” is gearing up to film in Springfield, Chicopee and West Springfield.
The series serves as a production from Springfield Mass Studios and Cellar Door Productions, with the first filming date set for April 24. Executive Producer of “Chronos Mercury” Bryan James McFarland explained that the series represents myriad talents from local communities.
“We have such a wonderful surplus of intelligent and creative people in our local communities. The actors, cast and crew are local. The production companies are local. The musicians gathering to create the scoring are local. The artists are local…[There’s] so much local talent around here. We are saturated with it,” said McFarland in an announcement to Reminder Publishing.
McFarland shared that the pre-production process for the series began at the end of 2021 by gathering interested inquiries via email. After a short time, the executive producer said nearly 200 people reached out to join the production. “We had so many people who wanted to be a part of this…[but] we only need a couple dozen to make the show,” said McFarland.
The executive producer expressed pride with the final cast and crew assembled for “Chronos Mercury.” The ensemble includes authors, podcasters, musicians and other versatile talents. “Every single one is special in at least one way yet so many of them are special in so many ways…These are all extremely gifted people right from right here in our communities,” said McFarland.
While plot details are kept under wraps, the series is set to take place in various time periods. The series premier will feature one of the characters, Samuel M. Michaels, moving from Manhattan to Springfield in 1885. In preparation of filming, McFarland said the cast and crew recently captured professional headshots via 35-millimeter cameras to convey the series’ “authentic” look.
The executive producer stressed that “Chronos Mercury” will be defined by its creative team, with the character’s thin backstories allowing the cast to define roles as their own. The assembled cast and crew also own part of the project as a part of their agreements, according to McFarland.
“It’s a very simple concept that if you work hard towards a creative art, something like this, then you should own a piece of it. It’s also a great motivator and incentive to do your very best because you are invested in it,” said McFarland
Actor Noah Aronstein, who plays a young thief, shared that the series marks an exciting development for local communities. “Western Mass. is very underrepresented, especially in film, compared to other areas of the state. So it is very satisfying to me whenever a film shoots here,” said Aronstein. The actor also shared that the project’s mysterious narrative drew him to production.
Director Takeshia Crowder also expressed her excitement for the upcoming project. “As a member of the crew helping behind the scenes, I can already tell Springfield will now be known as the birthplace of basketball and “Chronos Mercury.” I hope the world is ready,” said Crowder.
McFarland shared that filming will take place during the summer with a goal of releasing the production for the fall. The executive producer aspires to submit the series for Amazon Prime by the end of the year.
Readers can learn more about Chronos Mercury and its production updates at https://www.facebook.com/ChronosMercury.