"Bitters and Other Natural Remedies" (B.O.N.R.) is a stylistic and experimental featurette inspired by the Aesop fable "The Scorpion and the Frog," and the works of Jan Svankmajer. This visceral puzzle takes the viewer on a journey through a young man's trial to learn what alignments of nature becomes his final truth.

The movie design is threaded together by a stop-motion animated scorpion made from wooden matches (in the end, he meets the paper frog and fulfills his destiny), crossing the paths of two diametrically opposed souls locked in parallel as he travels to some seemingly important destination that only death himself appears to be aware. The unique supernatural position of the scorpion gives us insight into the inner nature of each character as he passes them, using visual devices like a multi-divided screen, and non-linear storytelling.

The inevitable outcome brings to light the truth that is in us all; we do what we do because it's simply our nature. If you like movies that have you at the edge of your seat, both mentally and physically, this movie was made for you. Indulge your cerebral movie predilections.

CHARIOT OF DEATH

The '57 Chevy that the Death charactor drove in "Bitters" was not a vehicle for mortals. First off, it barely ran. The owner had just acquired it and had only just begun to make it functional. The breaks were not first on the list of repairs. You had to open the hood and touch two wires together while the driver held the ingition on. Once, the director Tim Sky was going to start it and D.P. Larry McKee was under the hood connecting the wires -- the shift lever was in gear although the indicator showed it was in park. It cranked long enough for the front tire to roll on top of Larry's foot before the engine died. Luckily, that happened on soft grass and Larry and Tim were able to get the car cranked and off Larry's foot without any broken bones.

The car ran so hot that Tim would have to spend the time between set ups driving it to get the engine temperature back down to a safe level. Once, the night of Derrick's death, the car died and had to be towed back home for repaires. The scene had to be finished on another night. One night brought another kind of problem. A straight, well lit, mostly unused road had been chosen for the shoot. The car was being pulled on a trailer so Death and Derrick could be shot through the windshield. There was a second camera mounted outside the driver's door to get another 2-shot. Rigging took about 2 hours and was just about finished when 3 police cars surrounded the trailer. Turns out the road that had been chosen was a favorite for local street racers and the cops thought the car was brought in to race. You would think with all the lights and cameras that were attached to the car and trailer would make them think twice. Apparantly not. There was quite a discussion before the police went away and work continued. Several awe stricken Camaro and Mustang drivers stopped to drool a while after the police left.

The thing was so loud that no usable audio was recorded. All the dialogue was replaced. The engine sounds were recorded from another vehicle -- a Harley. After all, Death can drive a car that sounds like anything he wants.
-- ALLEN SMITHIE

STORE SHOOTING

One night we were shooting a scene where one of the characters gets lost while driving and goes into a video store to ask for directions. While he is inside, another character steals his car. We posted one of our production assistants outside to keep real customers from coming in while we were shooting and busting a shot.

We were making good time and everything was going smoothly. A couple of customers came by to rent or drop off videos and were not offended at all when they were asked to wait a minute before going inside. In fact, they seemed fascinated with the movie making process.

After a while, another car pulled into the parking lot. A woman carrying a videotape headed for the door. Our P.A. said, "Wait just a minute. They're shooting in there." The woman's eyes got wide and her face went pale. She got back in her car and drove away. A very short time later, two police cars flew into the parking lot and uniformed police officers poured out, assault weapons in hand. They rushed up to the P.A. and asked if he knew anything about what had happened inside. He was a little stunned and said, "Uh. Yeah. We are shooting a movie in there."

They were more than a little bit perturbed when they came inside, still carrying their rifles. It wasn't long before we were back on schedule. Don't know if the woman ever turned in the movie.

Watch the "Pitching Pennies" scene

Epilogue: The self contained animated ending

The Scorpion and the Frog

A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too."

The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"

Replies the scorpion: "Its my nature..."