Completing Kaden
Completing Kaden is an American teen television series currently airing online at www.CompletingKaden.com. The series has an established fan-base throughout the Midwest United States, the west coast of Canada, Nova Scotia, the U.K. and Australia. The pilot episode premiered online on May 1, 2006.
Distribution
The series has recently been picked up by Uplifting Entertainment (out of Pittsburgh, PA) for worldwide distribution on all media, including television. The first television licensing sale was made to a television network serving U.K. and Ireland. The show has also been picked up by the Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate JCTV and airs Fridays at 5:30am pst and Saturdays at 9:00am cst.
History
Completing Kaden was developed by a 16 year old by the name of Kyle Lawrence in early 2004. After acquiring the needed actors, a director, and equipment, the first season began filming on June 5, 2005 on a budget of AbOUT $55,000. Completing Kaden was filmed and produced by a group of teenagers in St. Louis, Missouri
The first season of Completing Kaden consists of 12 episodes. The second season (currently in post-production) consists of 14 episodes. The first episode was pre-screened in late February of 2006 at youth groups all throughout Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Kansas, British Columbia, Canada, and Australia.
Completing Kaden was filmed using three Sony High Definition (HVR-Z1U) cameras.
Synopsis
Kaden O'Connor is your typical, everyday teenager who's just trying to find his place in life. Along with his faithful friend Shane and crazy and out-there brother James, they are constantly finding themselves in hilarious Situations which are far from ordinary.
This show is a situational comedy/drama and has been coined as a "new breed of sitcom". Completing Kaden has been featured in newspapers and magazines in Missouri, Iowa, California and Virginia. Chris Stone Rules
Main Characters
Kaden O'Connor, played by Jonathan Gray,(aka Jonathan The Amazing, he's a magician) Sophomore at Lawrence High School and just trying to fit in. He has a secret crush on Taylor Samuels, finds his brother James to be his biggest annoyance, and just can't stay out of trouble with the "school bully" Brad. Jonathan has had parts in numerous other productions, including The Weatherman with Nicholas Cage and a lead role in the History Channel's Conspiracy Theories.
Shane (Insert Last Name Here)(why don't we know his last name, did his parents notlove him?), play by Matt Martin - Kaden's best friend standing right by his side. He's random and can't seem to avoid his ever-longing desire for Mountain Dew.
James O'Connor, played by Brady Lovesou (AKA Captain Poopy Pants) - Kaden's older brother, wacky and out there. He's a senior in high school who just loves life. Through all of his craziness, he always seems to have the right things to say at the right time.
Taylor Samuels, played by Taylor Kirk (blahh)- Another sophomore in high school, she works at the local family-owned cafe.
Michelle Hessley, played by Steffani Bolhofner (awww so pretty)- Taylor's best friend, yet from one of the wealthiest families in the state. The small country business started by her great grandfather quickly flourished and grew exponentially which has led Michelle's father to great wealth. Michelle can hardly remember the day when she had to lift her own finger to get a task accomplished.
Brad Smith, Played by Christopher Stone (TUBBY) - A large, very large, ok really really large school bully who is always giving Kaden and Shane all kinds of trouble in almost every episode
Other Characters
Gilbert, played by Erik A. Williams - A boldly intelligent yet socially daft student who gives a speech in episode 2.8.
Episodes
Season 1
Episode 1.1 (Released May 1, 2006) - Pilot
Episode 1.2 (Released May 15, 2006) - Materialism - Michelle just got her brand new expensive entertainment system which doesn't make her as happy as she'd think, while James is out helping the homeless.
Episode 1.3 (Released May 29, 2006) - Hard Work - Taylor is an overachiever and puts forth much more energy and time than required to help out their youth center - she starts to think that it may not have been worth it, but in the end realizes that it's always quality that matters, not quantity.
Episode 1.4 (Released June 5, 2006) - Rumors - A class project turns into a terrible rumor which ruins friendships and reputations.
Episode 1.5 (Released June 12, 2006) - Peer Pressure - Is being popular really what's it cracked up to be? Especially when you have to sacrifice morals and standards in order to obtain popularity?
Episode 1.6 (Released June 19, 2006) - Family Troubles - Shane, Kaden, and Joshua are all experiencing problems within their own families, some bigger than others, and in the end, Kaden realizes that his problems (having an annoying brother) doesn't match up to Shane's wrecked family.
Episode 1.7 (Released June 26, 2006) - Friendships - What is a true friend? Someone who makes fun of you behind your back? Someone who uses you for money or popularity? Or someone who stands there beside you, even after you've turned your back on them?
Episode 1.8 (Released July 3, 2006) - Forgiveness - An interesting twist is revealed when an old friend returns to Willfield after being gone for four years and after fleeing from trouble and pain caused in Kaden's life.
Episode 1.9 (Released July 17, 2006) - Joshua - Joshua is dealing with some hard times and some weird dreams, he comes to find the one thing his life has been missing, and then looses another.
Episode 1.10 (Released July 31, 2006) - Purpose - James and Taylor are both struggling to find their purpose. James can't even get a mouse out of the house without being yelled at and feeling like a nobody.
Episode 1.11 (Released August 7, 2006) - Salvation - Kaden meets a new classmate who street races and Shane finds a couple of kids in need of help.
Episode 1.12 (Released August 14, 2006) - Season Finale - The most intense, suspensful episode yet...continuing from where Episode 11 left off.
Season 2
Episode 2.1 (Released December 18 2006) - New Beginnings - Find out what happens to the cast, picks up where you got left hanging in Episode 1.12.
Episode 2.2 (Released January 22, 2007) - May I Help You? - Kaden, Shane, James, and Conner all get jobs for various reasons. These new responsibilities will affect them in more ways than one.
Episode 2.3 (Released February 5, 2007) - Going Up and Out - James has yet another job and Shane's experiencing some good times, and some bad.
Episode 2.4 (Released February 21, 2007) - Welcome Home...or Not - Brad and Christi both come back to Willfield. How will everyone respond to their homecoming? As the search for a job continues, James reunites lost pets with their families.
Episode 2.5 (Released March 5, 2007) - Uncontrollable Ends - It's the anniversary of the death of Joshua's mom. How will this affect him and his father? Meanwhile, Kaden battles I.B.S.
Episode 2.6 (Released March 19, 2007) - Walking On Egg Shells - Kaden and Shane are given a difficult assignment for school and need James' help. Will they finish or end up with a mess of eggs? Family problems strike Shane in the midst of everything.
Episode 2.7 (Released April 2, 2007) - Invisible Friends - No one can find Shane and both his mom and Kaden are worried. Will they be able to find him? James is asked to run an errand for Radisson.
Episode 2.8 (Released April 16, 2007) - Snorting in the Boys' Room - Conner's fight against his addictions is challenged when he confronts another student. Will he be able to stand strong? James becomes the school's new hall monitor.
Episode 2.9 (Released April 30, 2007) - Girls Ask the Guys - Taylor is upset with Kaden for not trusting her just in time for the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Will they be able to work out their differences? During school, Michelle gets an important letter from her dad.
Episode 2.10 (Released May 14, 2007) - Finals 'n Farewells - Tragedy hits Lawrence High School during the last week of school, leaving students hurt and asking questions. How will the students respond? Teachers also present students with finals.
Episode 2.11 (Released June 4, 2007) - Locked and Loaded - Shane and Mikey become victims to senior pranks on the last day of school. Will they get rescued in time? Meanwhile, Michelle and Joshua seek help with what to do with issues concerning their fathers.
Episode 2.12 (Released June 18, 2007) - It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Willfield - Michelle's made up her mind, Joshua's moving, Shane's dad stops by, and there's a bit of anger between Leeann and Taylor. How will this small town of Willfield survive?
Episode 2.13 (Released August 20, 2007) - Twist of Fate (Part 1)
Episode 2.14 (Released September 27, 2007) - Twist of Fate (Part 2)
- As of May 2007, plans for a special one-hour series finale and a full-length feature film are in the works.
Settings
Lawrence High School - A made up high school filmed at a St. Louis, Missouri area middle school - Washington Middle School.
Other Settings Include - The O'Connor House - Shane's family's apartment - A movie theater - A youth center - A cafe - A grocery store - Russia - Africa
Music
Music used has been composed by a large number of musicians and composers. Original music for Completing Kaden was also recorded by Jon Swan and Brady Hardin.
Completing Kaden was created by showrunner and Executive Producer Kyle Lawrence. Season one was directed by David Clevenger and Season Two directed by Brady Lovesou.
Sources
- Real Bean Entertainment Web Site (operated by same people as above site.)
- Uplifting Entertainment(completely different company hundreds of miles away)
- IMDBPro has listing for Real Bean Entertainment
- A Google search will reveal Completing Kaden to be on many different blogs and other sites.
- Season One DVDs are for sale on Amazon.com
- Real Magazine - http://www.realmagazine.com/archives/movies/ (Completing Kaden was previously named Persecution Video Series, this was changed on March 1, 2006)
Articles have been in:
- St. Louis Good News Hareld
- St. Louis Post Dispatch
- Liberty Newspaper (Lynchburg, VA)
- St. Louis Christian Parent Magazine
- Louie Mag
- Suburban Journals
- A few more
Executive Producer Kyle Lawrence of Completing Kaden has been on St. Louis KMOV Channel 4 TV show called - Extra EDition, as well as two radio shows in the St. Louis area.