"IT WAS AMAZING!!"
Sara Lincoln
Arvada, CO
Arvada, CO
I wanted to reach out to thank you and your brother, Ken, for such a wonderful experience making the Western movie this summer at M Lazy C Ranch. Seeing that activity on the calendar was one of the things that got me most excited about choosing M Lazy C for my special trip with my niece, but I was not prepared for how wonderful an experience it would really turn out to be. I expected something fun to pass a couple of hours, but not the level of production quality of the equipment being used was beyond what I could have hoped.
But, what was most magical to me was the environment that you both created that allowed the kids to not only participate in a real creative and artistic endeavor, but to also bring their own creativity to it. There was a plan that gave great structure to the day, but you both were so wonderful with the kids and encouraged them to offer their ideas, allowing them to have ownership in the experience, as well. I will never forget my niece, who that morning had sassily told me, “I’m only doing this for you” and made it clear that she didn’t want to participate, that same niece who just a couple of years ago chose not to participate in her dance class recital because she was too nervous about messing up in front of people – the moment when she stopped being self-conscious and really said the line Ken gave her with full confidence and spirit that any director would be proud of – being fully present in the moment as a real actress. It makes me tear up even now, thinking about having the opportunity to watch her literally come out of her shell – something that you and Ken made possible by the way you interacted with the kids and the feeling of safety you gave them on set. There were BOYS around, and she still managed to get out of her own head and really enjoy the process of making the movie and playing her part.
It was such a great experience that this animal obsessed girl who I took to a wolf preserve, horseback riding in the mountains and got to pet a giraffe – something she has always wanted to do her entire life, said that making the movie was her favorite part of our entire trip. I don’t know what higher praise I can offer than that.
It was beautiful watching each of the kids go through that transformation and also watching how they became friends over the course of the experience.
Thank you both so much for using your talent and experience to create this sort of opportunity for young people. I know it left an indelible impression on me and Evie and I look forward to reminding her about her fearlessness in that moment in the years to come whenever she needs to be reminded of the power within her.
I am happy to share my perspective and experience with anyone considering working with you to offer this wonderful program to other children. We can only hope that every kid has an opportunity to learn something new about themselves and find their voice in such a fun and engaging way as what you are doing with these movies.
With sincere gratitude,
Kaci Prunty
September 21st, 2021
But, what was most magical to me was the environment that you both created that allowed the kids to not only participate in a real creative and artistic endeavor, but to also bring their own creativity to it. There was a plan that gave great structure to the day, but you both were so wonderful with the kids and encouraged them to offer their ideas, allowing them to have ownership in the experience, as well. I will never forget my niece, who that morning had sassily told me, “I’m only doing this for you” and made it clear that she didn’t want to participate, that same niece who just a couple of years ago chose not to participate in her dance class recital because she was too nervous about messing up in front of people – the moment when she stopped being self-conscious and really said the line Ken gave her with full confidence and spirit that any director would be proud of – being fully present in the moment as a real actress. It makes me tear up even now, thinking about having the opportunity to watch her literally come out of her shell – something that you and Ken made possible by the way you interacted with the kids and the feeling of safety you gave them on set. There were BOYS around, and she still managed to get out of her own head and really enjoy the process of making the movie and playing her part.
It was such a great experience that this animal obsessed girl who I took to a wolf preserve, horseback riding in the mountains and got to pet a giraffe – something she has always wanted to do her entire life, said that making the movie was her favorite part of our entire trip. I don’t know what higher praise I can offer than that.
It was beautiful watching each of the kids go through that transformation and also watching how they became friends over the course of the experience.
Thank you both so much for using your talent and experience to create this sort of opportunity for young people. I know it left an indelible impression on me and Evie and I look forward to reminding her about her fearlessness in that moment in the years to come whenever she needs to be reminded of the power within her.
I am happy to share my perspective and experience with anyone considering working with you to offer this wonderful program to other children. We can only hope that every kid has an opportunity to learn something new about themselves and find their voice in such a fun and engaging way as what you are doing with these movies.
With sincere gratitude,
Kaci Prunty
September 21st, 2021
Kaci Prunty
My name is Rachel Wilder. This past summer my mother and my two daughters, age 11 and 12, took a vacation to Colorado and stayed at the M Lazy C Ranch. It was a trip of a lifetime. The main reason is due to the people we met, mainly Ken and his sister, Kathy!
Upon arriving, I immediately observed Ken doing all sorts of jobs on the ranch just because he noticed they needed to be done, not because he was expected to do them. The same goes for Kathy, too! This observation allowed me to note Ken was a hard worker and someone who took pride in everything he did.
Our first morning at the ranch during breakfast Ken sat with us. After we ate he shared a movie with the kids staying at the ranch the previous week. The movie included a child around 3 years old as well as others up to and including teenagers. Being able to work single handedly with that range can be difficult, but the finished product was authenticity adorable! Ken then offered to make a movie with my kids if enough kids visited the ranch while we were there. Luckily, a few more came!
However, the week we stayed at the ranch was one when all the kids happened to be girls! This had yet to happen during Ken’s moviemaking. So, Ken had to rewrite and re-plan his previous script to include an all female cast! He said, “give me an hour or so and I’ll be ready!” He wasn’t kidding. Ken had the soon to be “actresses” get into their western wear attire along with props and directed them on the parts of the movie. My mother and I chose to stay away during the beginning so that we would be surprised with the finished product. We also didn’t want to distract my girls from their director, Ken!
After an hour or so, we moseyed down to check on the progress. Ken was hard at work directing, filming and working with each child as if she were the star of the movie. No one was left out! He was able to find talent in them they didn’t know they had. Even the shyest children came out of their shell to take part and he found appropriate parts for the most outgoing ones, too!
Every child encouraged and cheered on their fellow cast members and Ken led them all the way. His ability to direct such a wide age group would normally be like herding cats, but he did so with an ease and calm rarely seen, all while having a smile on his face!
When he completed the filming, he advised he would have the movie ready for our viewing just a short time later. All the new “Wild-West actresses” and their families sat together to watch the premiere on the big screen that same night.
We couldn’t believe how much Ken was able to do in such a little time. The background music, sound effects, slow motion shots…were all Amazing! I’m not sure who laughed and enjoyed it more, the family or the kids! We had to watch it again to see all we missed the first time. Ken really had an eye for detail in our movie, both during the filming and while editing too!
Every kid had a smile on her face, even in the down time or when Ken was directing a solo shot. They never seemed bored at all. The amazing thing is that children who had never met, found a way to come together to create a finished product they can take with them forever. Not only the actual movie itself, but the memories they made while creating their very own unique Old West masterpiece.
My family was so impressed by the friendly, hard working, positive attitude Ken had, in addition to his filmmaking abilities, that we hope we can plan our next vacation wherever Ken and Kathy are going to be! If you are able, I definitely recommend Ken’s Western Movie services to you, your family and friends so that you can also star in your own “Old West Movie”, as well. You won’t be disappointed and neither will the Kids!!!
Respectfully,
Rachel Wilder
Justin, Texas
Upon arriving, I immediately observed Ken doing all sorts of jobs on the ranch just because he noticed they needed to be done, not because he was expected to do them. The same goes for Kathy, too! This observation allowed me to note Ken was a hard worker and someone who took pride in everything he did.
Our first morning at the ranch during breakfast Ken sat with us. After we ate he shared a movie with the kids staying at the ranch the previous week. The movie included a child around 3 years old as well as others up to and including teenagers. Being able to work single handedly with that range can be difficult, but the finished product was authenticity adorable! Ken then offered to make a movie with my kids if enough kids visited the ranch while we were there. Luckily, a few more came!
However, the week we stayed at the ranch was one when all the kids happened to be girls! This had yet to happen during Ken’s moviemaking. So, Ken had to rewrite and re-plan his previous script to include an all female cast! He said, “give me an hour or so and I’ll be ready!” He wasn’t kidding. Ken had the soon to be “actresses” get into their western wear attire along with props and directed them on the parts of the movie. My mother and I chose to stay away during the beginning so that we would be surprised with the finished product. We also didn’t want to distract my girls from their director, Ken!
After an hour or so, we moseyed down to check on the progress. Ken was hard at work directing, filming and working with each child as if she were the star of the movie. No one was left out! He was able to find talent in them they didn’t know they had. Even the shyest children came out of their shell to take part and he found appropriate parts for the most outgoing ones, too!
Every child encouraged and cheered on their fellow cast members and Ken led them all the way. His ability to direct such a wide age group would normally be like herding cats, but he did so with an ease and calm rarely seen, all while having a smile on his face!
When he completed the filming, he advised he would have the movie ready for our viewing just a short time later. All the new “Wild-West actresses” and their families sat together to watch the premiere on the big screen that same night.
We couldn’t believe how much Ken was able to do in such a little time. The background music, sound effects, slow motion shots…were all Amazing! I’m not sure who laughed and enjoyed it more, the family or the kids! We had to watch it again to see all we missed the first time. Ken really had an eye for detail in our movie, both during the filming and while editing too!
Every kid had a smile on her face, even in the down time or when Ken was directing a solo shot. They never seemed bored at all. The amazing thing is that children who had never met, found a way to come together to create a finished product they can take with them forever. Not only the actual movie itself, but the memories they made while creating their very own unique Old West masterpiece.
My family was so impressed by the friendly, hard working, positive attitude Ken had, in addition to his filmmaking abilities, that we hope we can plan our next vacation wherever Ken and Kathy are going to be! If you are able, I definitely recommend Ken’s Western Movie services to you, your family and friends so that you can also star in your own “Old West Movie”, as well. You won’t be disappointed and neither will the Kids!!!
Respectfully,
Rachel Wilder
Justin, Texas
Rachel Wilder
For over ten years, Ken Conry has spent his summers videotaping the activities of families vacationing at our dude ranch in Colorado, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. He has captured on tape many memorable moments that thousands of people have now seen know from talking to our return quests and their children that these tapes are treasured mementos, viewed over and over again by friends and family. For the ranch they have served a major and invaluable source of advertising.
Technically, the videos are edited with amazing speed, complete with music, so that families are able to preview footage within a day of the activities. Many are the evenings I have watched there previews, or more accurately, watched our guests" reaction to them. 'These viewings are always an occasion for laughter and warm feelings as bonds grow among the families who come to our ranch as strangers and leave as friends.
One of the highlights of every week's video has been the Western Melodrama, a slapstick pastiche of youthful exuberance egged on by Ken's coaching and cajoling his group of young "actors and actresses." We have some excellent Youth Counselors each summer for the Youth Program, but when you ask the youth about the "three best things" in their vacation, Ken is sure to feature in their lists.
Adults also react positively to Ken's quick wit and humor. He pretty much took over the organization of our weekly softball game, ensuring that everyone had a great time and that the score, due to the miracle of "Ken's Rules," Always ended up a tie! He somehow managed to referee and still feature the best moments on his videos at the same time.
In between the humorous parts, Ken's videos exhibit great beauty, whether showing mountain scenery, skyscapes or a close-up of a young colt. He regularly hiked miles to capture a particular moment in a cattle drive, white water rafting or a Breakfast Ride.
Ken was also willing to pitch in and help whenever the situation demanded, even if it had nothing to do with his video work. Many is the time he turned on or off outside lights, lent a hand setting up tables and chairs or moved equipment for our weekly "Gymkhana”, rodeo at the horse barn.
We and our guests will sorely miss him!
Ken will be a major asset to anyone's program, and I don't hesitate to recommend him.
Sincerely,
David Jessup
General Partner
Technically, the videos are edited with amazing speed, complete with music, so that families are able to preview footage within a day of the activities. Many are the evenings I have watched there previews, or more accurately, watched our guests" reaction to them. 'These viewings are always an occasion for laughter and warm feelings as bonds grow among the families who come to our ranch as strangers and leave as friends.
One of the highlights of every week's video has been the Western Melodrama, a slapstick pastiche of youthful exuberance egged on by Ken's coaching and cajoling his group of young "actors and actresses." We have some excellent Youth Counselors each summer for the Youth Program, but when you ask the youth about the "three best things" in their vacation, Ken is sure to feature in their lists.
Adults also react positively to Ken's quick wit and humor. He pretty much took over the organization of our weekly softball game, ensuring that everyone had a great time and that the score, due to the miracle of "Ken's Rules," Always ended up a tie! He somehow managed to referee and still feature the best moments on his videos at the same time.
In between the humorous parts, Ken's videos exhibit great beauty, whether showing mountain scenery, skyscapes or a close-up of a young colt. He regularly hiked miles to capture a particular moment in a cattle drive, white water rafting or a Breakfast Ride.
Ken was also willing to pitch in and help whenever the situation demanded, even if it had nothing to do with his video work. Many is the time he turned on or off outside lights, lent a hand setting up tables and chairs or moved equipment for our weekly "Gymkhana”, rodeo at the horse barn.
We and our guests will sorely miss him!
Ken will be a major asset to anyone's program, and I don't hesitate to recommend him.
Sincerely,
David Jessup
General Partner
David Jessup
I have known and worked with Ken Conry at various times and at various guest ranches over the last 20 years. He is a skilled film maker and his productions are always a big hit! He produces a mini film starring guests from the ranch and can include actors from 4 years of age and older. The productions always have a western theme and have a tinge of historical relevance as Ken is very interested in the west and its history. If you have an opportunity, don’t miss becoming a STAR!!
Tom Jones
Casa Grande, AZ
December 20th, 2021
Tom Jones
Casa Grande, AZ
December 20th, 2021
Tom Jones
I must admit I was apprehensive about being in a Western Movie at my latest Women’s Weekend Ranch get away. But, it was so much fun. Ken and Kathy are professionals in movie production plus Ken’s direction and filming, variety of props, the editing and ability to move the story line along made it an unforgettable experience.
Whether a desperado diva, a lover of law and order, or a closet thespian…it’s just plain fun!
Whether a desperado diva, a lover of law and order, or a closet thespian…it’s just plain fun!
Kathy Idczak
January 2022
Kathy Idczak
Okay! So, who hasn't dreamed of staring in a Western movie? HORSES! GUNS & chases with good guys & BAD guys! The life seemed so simple and exciting all at the same time!
Well, HOLD ON TO YOUR COWBOY HATS, Folks! Now, you CAN star in your own Western movie - almost anyway you want - with ALL GALS, your family, friends or even strangers!!
Ken & Kathy Conry have come up with a "sure fire" party HIT! They'll costume you, give you scenes & lines, shoot for two hours and produce a fully edited short film with music & sound effects AND you'll receive your own personal copy to show your friends how you won an award as "BEST COWPOKE!!"
Previous participants regularly say it's about the most fun they've ever had! Don't miss this opportunity to become a real live Cowboy! You'll never regret it!
Nancy Linehan-Charles
Film & TV actress
Nancy Linehan-Charles