Make eight ambitious episodes of TV, make it fast, and make it funny.
Fanning out
The Heck team loves our commercial and client work, but deep down, every one of us is a movie buff and a TV binge-watcher. With our narrative backgrounds and film school pedigrees, we're always on the lookout for a fun entertainment project. So, when JK Studios approached Heck to produce the second season of their hit show "Freelancers," it was our dream come true.
Track record
Although Heck had a long history of working on TV and entertainment projects, taking on "Freelancers" Season 2 was our first opportunity to spearhead an entire production. JK Studios came to Heck for this epic undertaking because Heck had produced several commercials featuring Mallory and Stacey, and they loved working with our team. Plus, we owned Netflix-approved cameras!
Heck is led by writers, directors, producers and technicians who personally invest in entertainment projects as a labor of love, bringing our talented crews to conjure up real screen magic.
Trust the process
Once their crowdfunding campaign with Angel Studios hit its target, the JK team gave Heck the greenlight. Pre-production for this 8-episode endeavor was a meticulous process, involving detailed schedules, timelines, and budgets for 8 wild episodes. We relished the challenge, drafting plans to ensure a smooth and efficient shoot using our tried-and-true methods of commercial production. But with these wacky scenes, we had curveballs in every direction.
The Traveling Circus
Watching the team of comedians in the writers room was an exhilarating experience. But Heck producers Phillip Goodwin and Michael Potter faced the monumental task of planning a tight 6-week shoot. This involved coordinating hundreds of actors, locations, props, gags, and crew members. We tapped into our trusted network of filmmakers and university connections to assemble a solid crew, with many talented friends returning from season one. We also worked closely with the Utah Film Commission, benefiting from their expertise and eventually securing an Utah tax rebate – a huge win for our scrappy little production. Every dollar was tracked from our luxurious UPM office on wheels.
The location shoot was a dynamic and complex operation. We managed to keep a small village of cast and crew safe, happy and well-fed, despite moody spring weather changes and even the unexpected matrix of dietary restrictions that made lunch a daily puzzle. The Heck staff worked tirelessly to ensure each day ran smoothly, one day at a time.
When equipment rental costs and availability became an issue, Heck stepped in to purchase much of the necessary equipment and offered it to the production at reduced rates. And just when we thought we had things under control, the demands of filming unique episodes like a Christmas special and a medieval musical really pushed our limits. Not to mention, this was peak-COVID timing, and our smart precautions helped keep our entire production 100% COVID-free. We were so grateful to have quality scripts for the team to believe in, and the stars of the show truly kept the team energized and committed.
Wrapping up production was a significant milestone, but the real challenge was post-production. Heck managed the entire process across our teams in Hollywood, Northern California, and Utah, ensuring a streaming-worthy finished product.
Nailed it
After all our lucky breaks, we were thrilled to watch the show with a theatrical audience for some much-needed real-time reactions to the episodes as we wrapped up post. There’s simply nothing like hearing a room fully of people laugh at your work… in the good way.
In less than a year from the green light, we delivered all 8 episodes on-schedule. The reception has been phenomenal, from test audiences to theatrical screenings to millions streaming the show worldwide. The success of "Freelancers" Season 2 stands as a testament to Heck’s ability to blend creative, logistical, and technical elements seamlessly in a major narrative project. It was a passion project for us!
Delivered
Heck oversaw the entire show’s creation and delivery, with enough script pages to make two movies:
Prep
Four months of writers room meetings in parallel with production prep
Production
Six weeks of filming on 6K Red Komodos in Utah with a State Tax rebate
Post
Six months of editing, music and VFX for 40TB of content
That’s showbiz, baby
As we eagerly anticipate season 3, we’re so proud of everyone’s hard work on the series and how wonderfully it turned out. On to the next show!
Natalie Madsen @ JK! Studios
“Heck brought a lot of energy, enthusiasm and organization to this huge film project. They made the whole process fun and efficient!”
Watch here.
Freelancers Season 2 is streaming now on YouTube and Angel Studios.