Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Sherayko.
Peter, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My career was in show business, mainly as an actor. For the first 10 years, like everyone it was a struggle. The next five years were pretty good, but it’s a business of flavor of the week. All the while my hobby was collecting the West. Totally fascinated with the history of the frontier. Then the light went on! I’m one of those people that complained the authenticity of the gear that was put in westerns. The wrong gun belts, clothes, guns, saddles, etc… I couldn’t invent the mousetrap of movies, but I could make it better. I started the only company that brings authenticity and realism to the Western genre; not just one aspect, but all. Clothing, Saddles, Props, Horses, etc… I couldn’t do it by myself, so I created the Buckaroos, historians that are experts in different fields, and put them to work. They also had, as millions do, the same complaints about the movies that I had. These were individual experts in Victorian clothing, period saddle and gun belt makers, gun smiths who specialized in 19th century arms, horse trainers, farriers, horsemen.
People who understood what buildings and homes looked like in the 19th century. The Buckaroos use their expertise not just behind the camera, but also in front of it, peopling the sets of Tombstone and Deadwood with background actors who knew what to do, and do it well. For the past 25 years we have become a sought-after company, doing over a thousand shows including: motion pictures, TV Dramas, Documentaries, Print, Stage plays, and Wild West Show ala Buffalo Bill. We built the company slowly to the point where we have the largest selection of museum quality costumes, gun belts, firearms, saddles, props and set dressing.
Set Designers have said that if the top 3 prop houses in Hollywood were to put all their Western gear in one place, it would equal 25% of what we have. During the past 12 years we have added a 2400 acre film location, the largest private movie ranch in L.A County.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Even though we are a one stop shop today for yesterday, bigger studios shy away. Each film department is separate. They have their own department heads, and like most businesses politics plays a great deal in the outcome. They also have large budgets, plenty of prep time and can build anything they need. While a designer and line producer may know what needs to be done for the job, they depend they have a past history with. They may have just done a space movie, war film, horror film or police drama so instead of entering new territory when they decide to do a Western, they rely on their past suppliers for the other genres. This may be easier for them, but its why many big budget westerns have failed in the box office. They overlook the historical impact a film might have. That’s why are bread and butter are the lower budget independent films. They neither have the time nor money to do any research, but one call to us gets it all done. There’s a saying in Hollywood: Time, Money, or Quality. Pick two, because you can’t get all three. We strive to give them all three: On time, under budget, and unequaled quality.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Western is a classic of American cinema. Yet, in many ways, it can be one of the most technically challenging film genres for filmmakers to work with. Caravan West Productions is dedicated to offering a means for film makers, both big and small, to easily meet the rigorous demands of the Western film genre. Whether you are looking for props, set dressing, wardrobe, weapons, animals, or a location, Caravan West can provide a simple, easy, well researched and cost-effective solution for your production or event.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I always look for adventure. I would take my Mattel cap gun, a Fanner 50, and tramp through the woods seeking adventure. The secret to success as an adult is to achieve the dreams of your childhood. Growing up with a myriad of Western TV shows, I transformed my play time into work time. In other words, I still play cowboy.
Contact Info:
- Address: 35660 Jayhawker Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390
- Website: www.caravanwest.com
- Phone: 6612688300
- Email: [email protected]
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