View the Brethren 2 minute trailer here.
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Brethren was written, shot, edited, directed, narrated and produced by first time film maker Wes Thomsen out of a burden to connect with other men who have lost their passion in life. This story of unsettling honesty is set against the motorcycles of Daytona Bike Week and the straight talking men who ride them, made by a man who loves motorcycles for other men that understand the same passions, Brethren presents answers to big questions about the source of our security, trust, freedom and acceptance. Sensitive subjects are addressed with humor and brutal honesty.

Brethren was shot with the intent of creating a personal connection with the protagonist. Extreme close-ups are used extensively in interviews which were done in very tight areas of just a few feet between sidewalks and streets right in the heart of one of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the world: Daytona Bike Week. Being in the middle of 500,000 people on "the strip" during bike week presented difficult shooting and sound situations. Capturing a human voice less than one yard from hundreds of revving motorcycles in constant motion is one of the many obstacles that were overcome to immerse the viewer in the biker's environment.
The Crew:

Wes Thomsen
Wes has built a career on making the message be the medium. Trained in media production and computer programming, he has enjoyed spending many years in digital satellite broadcasting, web development, interactive video and alternative delivery devices. Communicating on many levels, he doesn't just make a show, he builds systems.

With productions such as "The Reignmaker Project" and "Listen Up," Wes has harnessed video as a way to immerse viewers into information that leads them through real world viewing, web based content and online communities, all as a singular learning experience.
Chris prepares to be scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, topped, diced, peppered, and capped at Waffle House as he fuels up for another 14 hour day of shooting interviews at Bike Week in Daytona.

Chris Zellmer
Chris straddles the distant worlds of metal fabrication and digital communications. He's comfortable with web development and programming, as well as banging sheet metal into submission.

Brethren Crewmember Chris Zellmer, pictured at right said:

"The Brethren movie project for me has been an indescribable experience -from preparation to the road trip (to Daytona), and to meeting literally every kind of biker under the sun. Make no mistake; whenever you think you have been through a lot of life's tests, there is always someone else whose story will blow you away!

Seeing and hearing about God's work in the lives of these (bikers) men is simply life changing."
Likened to his nickname: "the Eraticator" Chris has been a motorcycle enthusiast / rider for over 20 years on street, dirt and sport bikes and typically has several project bikes awaiting surgery in his garage.

Chris was the sound tech, grip, assistant and PR guy for Brethren's tight shooting schedule in Daytona Beach as well as a one man brute squad when it came to carrying a mountain of gear.

He enjoys online communities and is an active contributor to the Brethren website.