An action adventure virtual reality game tournament to “The Fastest Gun in the West, “ a coming of age drama about two brothers Brandon and Zachary with a strong loving bond who are separated by divorce. One grows up in a loving home with his mother, while the older brother grows up with an abusive, alcoholic father. Their path diverges, after they are separated into two different directions until one day those paths converge with everything at risk. Though the title gives the impression of a western, this is a story that takes place in an affluent neighborhood on the westside of Los Angeles. The western themes serve as a backdrop to the story as the Old West values appeal to many of the characters in this story due to its ideas about family values, loyalty, and coping with problems through an act of heroism.
Where did the Fastest Gun in the West- VR Gaming Movie originate from?
The movie idea was formed many years ago, but it became a screenplay in 2020. I hired a Hollywood writer/gaming expert to help with the development and story. She showed me how to develop a treatment and tagline. Then on to the 113-page screenplay. Then we made a three-page document on how the virtual reality game was played in the movie plus a PowerPoint with marketing research and artwork. When I filed for a patent in 1988 for the Electronic Shootout Game it was always my intention to have a movie concept for the project. My love for Westerns and the gaming industry had evolved into a virtual reality movie project The Fastest Gun in the West.
Tell us about the action adventure virtual reality game that serves as the background in the movie.
The VR game for the movie is a third person and first person massive multi-player role playing shooter (one player, two player, multi-player mode) Whereas you compete in a 7 man/woman teams in a virtual western world. Riding through the west or competing for points against your opponents in an old west cowboy town. The teams develop strategies to create an advantage in the game. A combination of skills and strategy will have you move to higher levels for a victory against your opponent. Moving up in the tournament style competition. Until there is only one team left.
Although the title gives the impression of a western, this story takes place in an affluent neighborhood on the westside of LA. Why was this important?
The story is half live-action in a modern day setting in Los Angeles and the virtual world is animation in the film. It’s my version of a Western mixing gaming and the film industry. I love a coming-of-age stories that young adults can relate to growing up in today’s world. This story has action-adventure and great characters that gamers can relate too. A plot and twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat. A story of redemption between two brothers. Both trying to find their way in the world and cope with today’s environment.
This movie will appeal to the heart from all the experiences we had growing up. Each character trying to overcome a tragedy and finding hope in the game competition itself. Competing for prizes and cash to help others that were less fortunate in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bringing out the true heroic character inside. Thus, actions are born but with troubling trials that we all have gone through growing up in today’s world.
Who is your favorite character?
Out of the two brothers featured in the story Brandon is the hero. He is the glue to the Pacific Palisades 7 team but each of the characters has an influence in his life. Jennifer is his first love in High School, and they are the glue of the story. Everyone can relate to their first romance. Jennifer is always trying to figure out his past and guide him. They both are gamers and truly love each other. Loyalty and character are what makes this film a great drama and that kids will learn from.
The Fastest Gun in the West is a real video game. Tell us about its success
The game itself was created in the patent in 1988 and was intended to be a National Fast Draw Competition for theme parks in America. In the screenplay I knew it had to be updated for today’s world. So, it was to evolve into this virtual reality game in the movie. A skill game using today’s technology. My goal is to develop a licensing agreement in the mobile and game markets when film production is completed.
To develop games in today’s world it costs millions of dollars. My goal someday very soon is that a game manufacturer that has all the animation and coding be able to unite this concept in their marketing strategies. Promote the tournament as in the movie concept itself. Offer prizes and move into an online national tournament. The writer developed the story as a local tournament in Los Angeles, but the goal is for a sequel to the movie to be a National online gaming event. Whereas many teams from America and around the world will form teams to compete.
This project would use the same technology as the Mandalorian. Animation has advanced at an amazing rate and the game industry tools create a pipeline for this story. It has amazing potential and investment opportunity for the entertainment industry. I want to position myself in that arena of adventure. It’s what I love and an outlet for my creativeness for games. The industry is full of talented people, and I have a burning passion to work with them. Create a story that will be generational.
On social media I have moved to LinkedIn to try and meet new contacts in the industry. It takes networking and this has been my path since 2020. I can be found on the site @ Christopher K. Rockhold. My email is [email protected] This is my journey and it’s been a difficult and long path but the people I have met along the way have made it all worth the struggle. Ready to get the fun started in Hollywood and worldwide.