Christine Whelan, FEO, November 21, 2024, VOL. 6 ISSUE 6

With filming in Fort Erie now wrapped up, the co-creators of new TV series, Cows Come Home, Lindsey Middleton and Katie Uhlmann, continue with several months of post-production.

Uhlmann, who is also the director, says this stage takes longer than the filming itself and is like a puzzle to now put together. It’s a team effort, according to Katie. Each has a list of necessary tasks that make up the puzzle.

After these bits and tasks are finished, Lindsey and Katie say they will go into marketing the show.

Promoting a TV show is very different these days, with social media, says Middleton and Uhlmann. They have more control over it now. Years ago, networks were in charge of making the commercials and trailers. Now, since they are producing the show, they can create their own trailers. Bell will have commercials and promotions for the show as well.

Locations: The Movie Behind the Movie

Lindsey, who was raised in Ridgeway and plays the protagonist in the show, talked about the Fort Erie area locations that were close to her heart. “We filmed primarily at two locations, Walnutknoll Farm, where I used to show our calf, and I-CAN-T.E.R., where I first learned to ride horses when I was a kid. So, I had a lot of moments of looking around and thinking about little me, wanting to grow up and be an actor on these properties, and realizing, wow! I’m doing it. I’m here!” Adding, “It was a once in a lifetime experience. Everyday I would have a moment where I’d get teared up and think, I can’t believe this is happening.”

Even though they tried to keep the locations they planned on shooting private, Lindsey and Katie said they did attract a crowd at times.

Katie exclaimed, “The support from the community was so overwhelming. It’s a testament to Lindsey and her mom Bonnie’s relationships with the community.”

Lindsey also spoke of the community’s support, “It was amazing. Everyday someone baked fresh muffins for our crew to make sure they had something at the top of the day. All of our meals were donated at lunch time. People were barbequing for us, restaurants donated, all of our locations were donated to us.

“People were truly opening their doors, opening their homes, being so excited. It was really amazing.”

“It was a very special shoot,” Katie admitted. Working in TV and film, she has worked on different sets. “This one had a special heart to it. It was inspiring to see the community come together. It was almost like a movie behind a movie.”

On Set

Lindsey said there were filming days requiring a smaller group, which would be about 24 people, with typically five actors and the rest were crew. “And then on the largest day, we had 60 people on set. We had about 20 actors, 20 background performers, then the rest were crew.”

I asked Katie if it was her role, as director, to keep it all working together. “It’s definitely a team effort. There are so many different roles in production, incredible people doing a million things to keep it all going.

“Essentially what I’m doing, as director, is really focusing on the overall, creative vision. The performances, the production design, the art, and the vision make it all come together.”

They both agreed that the filming experience, as a whole, went smoothly and with a lot of positivity.

Lindsey commented, “Even the weather cooperated. Sixty-five percent of the show was shot outdoors.” There were days when it rained that they just pivoted and worked on something else.

There was a day when it was raining, but stopped as they set up outside, only to start up again the moment Katie yelled, “Cut!”, after allowing the filming to last around two hours.

Lindsey said, “It was kind of a surreal moment, yet the kind of thing that seemed to happen everyday.”

Cameos

The show included a few cameos that Katie and Lindsey were really excited about.

Katie shared, “We had Elvis Stoyko, the figure skater. He was fantastic, a good actor as well. Jake Epstein also did a cameo. He played Craig Manning on Degrassi. And there was Loba Goy from The Royal Canadian Air Farce.”

Several local businesses and scenes made it into the show. Lindsey explained, “Katie and I had one day when we were up at 4:00 am for the chores and cows. Afterwards, Katie, our director of photography, Mitch, and myself drove around the Fort Erie area for about 14 hours getting different shots of the town, different businesses that supported us along the way, the Fort Erie sign, and other scenes that would fit. So, definitely when people watch the show, they’ll pick up landmarks.” There is also a cameo of the Fort Erie Observer.

The Last Shoot

Katie recalled the moments the production came to an end. “We were working 14 hours a day for a month. And then that final shot was done. It was hard to just come out of it. We got emotional, did a little speech. After we wrapped up, we had a little party.

“It took me a few weeks to re-calibrate,” she admitted. “For that time, you’re so full on and surrounded by people 24/7.”

Lindsey agreed. And, “We also went right into Thanksgiving after the wrap up so it was a quick halt. The pace of life really changes. It takes a bit to realize I don’t have to solve any problems.”

A Moment That Stood Out

When asked if there was a moment that stood out, Katie took this one. “Lindsey and I have been working on this for over two years. It’s one thing to try and explain what you are doing to others. It’s another for them to see it happen. On the last day of shooting, my mom and dad came down. That was really emotional to have my parents on set. They had an understanding of what I do, but to have them actually come and see me in action, that was different.”

“Going into this,” Katie also shared, “We really wanted people to have a positive experience. We made choices, even cast and crew wise, with this in mind. I think that’s the thing I’m most proud of. That was intentional. We worked really hard to make that happen. I think that was our big win.” Lindsey agreed.

Lindsey stated, “The official launch will be in the late spring. It will come out on BellFibeTV1. We’re hoping to do a premiere screening as well.

Katie Uhlmann and Lindsey Middleton would like to give a big “Thank you!” to the community of the Greater Fort Erie area. “Without your support, we couldn’t have accomplished what we did.”

To follow the series’ progress, search on Instagram: @cowscomehomeshow. To contact Lindsey or Katie, email cowscomehomeshow@gmail.com.

Photo provided by Cows Come Home