Gates and Madison Hartley recently wrapped up filming “The Strange.”

“The Strange” is the working title for a sci-fi flick that begins with a family camping trip that spirals into terror.  Gates was recently featured in the American Press for her work on an exhibit at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. At the time, she said Lake Charles was being considered as the filming location for “The Strange.” Gates said Jackson, Miss., was chosen instead.

The feature is based on a book by Dan Vega due for release. Vega is the film producer.

Gates said she and Hartley divided duties with her taking on most of the prop making. She and Hartley split wardrobe duties, and she helped Hartley with set design and budgeting.

“Two big actors are involved,” Hartley said.

For “The Strange,” the art team was largely responsible for setting the overall tone for the production.

“The overall vision was ours,” Hartley said. “Everything you see, that’s us.”

She said because the art department was small, they were there with the producer during filming to pitch ideas such as a certain way to frame a shot, handle the lighting, move or add a prop — and were encouraged to do so.  “It was definitely a collaborative experience,” Hartley said.

The biggest challenge, Hartley said, was filming in Jackson.

Everything they knew they would need or thought they might need was packed, Hartley said, but there is no way to anticipate every need because it can be fluid until filming is complete.

Because of that fluidity, the throwing out of ideas during production, Hartley and Gates were able to put their mark on “The Strange,” many times exceeding expectations, Hartley said.

Is it something that the public will pay to see at the movie theater, on cable or through a streaming service? To date that was not decided, at least not by the production artists, but Hartley said there will be a Hollywood premier.

“If you see it, look for how we changed the tones and colors during the movie,” Hartley said, “especially in the progression of the characters.”