Okay, I told Stephanie about my idea and she said she wanted to make it happen. But first we needed to do her photoshoot. Because the production company Jupiter Entertainment (who made the show then sold it to Discovery) literally owned her likeness and image by contract we needed to get their permission. Stephanie let her Production company know what she wanted and how to contact me. Which they did.... Oh boy did they. I get a call while I’m driving to pick up my kids from martial arts. It’s a nice lady who introduces herself and says she’s contacting me at Mrs. Hayden’s request. I reply that Stephanie (Steph from now on) had asked me to do a photoshoot of her and that I was even willing to do it free of charge. To this the woman on the other end gave a lilting laugh and asked in all dead seriousness:
“Why should we let you, a unknown. Photograph our star when we have many professionals on staff???”
I was kind of taken aback, according to Steph this was supposed to be a friendly call, a formality. I responded with:
“Because your star requested me and the people shooting her now have no idea how to shoot or light her???” Like I usually do, I answered honestly. She did NOT like my answer and told me so, before telling me they had no need of me.
Their images of Stephanie and her husband Kris during season 2 when her and I first started talking. Steph is part Native American and they made her look pale.
A couple of MY images of Stephanie when we FINALLY got to do her photoshoot.
So, I email Steph with “WTF??” She responds with she told Jupiter about my show idea and they got MAD at her and basically said no. BUT, I should go forward with my idea and she would support me on social media and introduce me to the right people. Well the next thing on my list is cast. Before I can do that I email a old friend of mine who was a Marine Recon Sniper (The guy won a bronze star in Afghanistan) Cruz (nickname), a Federal Marshal Firearms instructor, and was then running a school that trained diplomats going over seas to volatile areas survival skills including shooting down in Florida. I presented him my idea and basically worked a deal that if we went forward we would promote his business on our show and he and his partner Doc would both be reoccurring characters to train the girls. REAL training covered, now cast. The model Marie was on board. So now I needed three more “Primal Girls”, a make up artist, and a videographer (to make videos). I rented a photography studio complete with lighting and full backgrounds. Basically a Wedding photographer was barely making ends meet so she co-opted her studio to me for 100 a month for 2 days a week. I have this talent for meeting the right people at the right time. I always have and it’s garnered me some very unique friends. One thing I decided on and Steph agreed with, was Primal Studios needed to appear what it was. A group of amateurs who got together with my idea and made it happen. I’m going to kinda ruin TV for you here, but serial reality shows are NOT reality. They’re planned out. Anyway I put a casting call out on Model Mayhem for a MUA (Make Up Artist) and 3 model positions in a future project that may result in paid work. The casting call was a TFP (Trade For Prints) shoot. THIRTY models responded and made appointments for test shoots. I shot models in 15 minute intervals for 5 hours a day for 2 days. I was keeping Steph appraised and our test shoot was actually pushing Red Jacket Firearms “gear”. Stephanie sent me TONS of RJF swag. Stephanie then shared them on her Facebook page here:
RJF gear by Primal Studios
I did not send her images of every model and I had a guy reply so I figured WTF. Here’s the 3 models I ended up with from their test shoot:
Sam showed up after getting off duty from the National Guard. Rather than have her change into RJF swag. She left me shoot her in her Digi-camo. Interesting note, she is not allowed to to have painted nails when pictured in uniform. Notice her trigger finger?? No nail right? Now look closely at her other nails. She literally RIPPED a false nail off to be “correct” for this image. Guys wanna see how tough you are??? Glue a fake nail on your finger. Let it set for a couple days. Then RIP it off... that will separate the men from the ladies. She was cast as a Primal Girl that instant.
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