RATSTAR: THE PRODUCTION More than two years in production, Ratstar itself seemed a creature of its own rather than the ambitious independent film it actually was. The concept went through many phases, including a period when the entire film was going to be realized as stop motion animation. We even went as far as constructing some of the stop motion puppets before the decision was made to cast live actors and go with a traditional live action film (though a few of the puppets did make it into some of the film’s miniature shots). The script endured many drafts, both serious and comedic versions. After a working draft of the script was chosen, set construction began in our borrowed studios throughout Portland and Beaverton. Six primary sets were constructed, including the lab, freezer, and cargo ship cabin, among others. The remainder of shooting took place either on location or on makeshift sets as needed. The two year production schedule was due largely in part to the need to confine the bulk of the photography to weekend shooting. Principle photography concluded in November of 2003. Editing and score composition continued into June of 2004. The final piece you see on screen is a labor of love (and long grueling hours in that sweatbox we called a studio)!