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Chris McKay (Nathan Boren), a computer programmer for a shadowy government organization, makes a fatal mistake when he attempts to leave his work and begin a family with his wife Robyn (Molly Windham). Soon, through a peculiar series of questionably dream-like events, Chris finds his life inexplicably intertwined with that of Dean Glass (Mac Welch), a brutal serial killer. As Chris tries to elude authorities and figure out what has become of his life, he finds himself in the clutches of an interrogator (Mike Whalen) who may have the answers to Chris’ questions—if he can bear to hear them.

MindField is the latest thriller from Wichita’s own Films On Consignment, the local movie-making collective with twelve films and eight Kansas Film Festival awards to their credit. “This time we were going for pure style,” explains writer/director Jason Bailey. The film marked his first collaboration in three years with director of photography Lonny Quattlebaum. “Lonny’s got such a great eye, I really wanted to make a film with him that would show off his flair for the visual. And to show off with the camera, you tend to have to tell a very exciting story.”

The genesis for the film came from a trio of 2001 releases dealing with intensely psychological storytelling. “When Lonny and I were talking about working together, I was really high on Memento, Mulholland Drive, and Vanilla Sky. These were all films that dealt with questionable narrative—stories where portions may very well exist only in a character’s mind, and where the thriller elements are predominately psychological. I decided that we should find a story like that to tell.”

The script was finished in spring of 2002, as the crew was finishing the first season of their theatrical off-shot, Theatre On Consignment. Bailey set about casting the film, pulling actors from previous projects as well as an open audition in May of that year. Also appearing in the film are Nathan Houseman, Earnest Roberson, David Bailey, Bucky Walters, Carrie Jones, Soshi, I.C. Collins, Terry Woods, Anne-Marie Serrano, and costume designer Megan Upton-Tyner.

The film was shot over three weeks in June and July of 2003. The production was the crew’s most complicated to date, due partially to the heat and mostly to the complexity of the film. “We’re dealing with lots of repeating images, in dreams and so forth, which can be tough to get right,” Bailey notes. “Dream sequences are always tricky anyway. On top of all of that, there are action elements to the story, so we’re shooting chases and fight scenes, which we’ve never really done before.”

Editor (and camera operator) Matt Frank spent the next year editing the film making major revisions and trims based on input by Bailey and Quattlebaum. The film was then scored by local composer Dallas Holloway.

“In spite of its myriad of influences, I think the film is really unique,” Bailey says. “It’s a fairly straightforward story, but told in a very unusual, experimental manner. There are long stretches where the audience has to trust the film, because it gets a little convoluted. But it all makes sense in the end, though I’ve gotta say, our ending is a real shocker.”

Order MindField online now from indieflix.com!

Hear director Jason Bailey promoting "MindField" on KRZZ.