Welcome to the Film Set, Ryker!

With only a few weeks til we start shooting Oakdale 1959, it’s time to start announcing the shinings stars that are going to help us bring the film to life.

Up first, we have Ryker Baloun in the role of Chuck.

You might recognize Ryker from his roles in Disney’s Magic Camp, the feature film The Future, and the upcoming Octoroon. We’re excited to see him bring his talent to this role and are very much looking forward to working with him.

Welcome to the Film Set, Ryker!

PC: Michele Baloun, during wardrobe fitting

But Who is Chuck?

Once upon a time in the American Dream there lived a boy named Chuck. He’s your average youngster. He spends his summer days romping around the neighborhood with his pals. They play ball in the street, only pausing their game when a car comes around the corner or when they have to run away from Mrs. Wallace because their baseball landed in her garden. They splash around in the pond at the park, getting muddy, catching frogs and jumping over the tiny creeks formed by erosion while they pretend to be Mr. Wallace during his army days. When the heat gets to be a little too much, they cool off with some ice cream from the truck that comes singing down the street. Everything is perfect.

When the streetlights come on and darkness falls on Chuck’s idyllic world, it’s time to go home. Something isn’t quite right there. Chuck’s mom is sick. His dad hasn’t told him exactly what’s wrong with his mom, but it can’t be that bad. The house is still clean, there’s still dinner on the table at night, she still tucks him in at night. How sick can his mom be if she still does all that? 

The answer to that question isn’t one that Chuck is entirely able to grasp yet. He lives his life day by day and in the moment, as most boys do.