Future tense

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St. Louis doesn't often show up as the location for movies or television shows. Like most of the Midwest, we tend to be ignored.  As far as most of the entertainment industry is concerned, the only thing between New York and L.A. is Chicago.

Terraformed St. Louis in Defiance

That's why it's rather surprising that there are two TV series (one in production and one in the works) that both take place in a future St. Louis.  The one in production—SyFy Channel's Defiance—appears to the the usual mix of A&A (action and aliens) in a dystopian setting.  And while it's set in St. Louis, it's being filmed almost entirely in Canada.  Our city shows up in a bit of b-roll the producers shot here a while back but that's about it.  No local production, no local actors.

The show that's in development—Gateway: the City's Reason—is pretty much the alpha to Defiance's omega.  It's set in 2063 in a St. Louis that has solved its environmental problems and found a way to run sustainably.  There has been no alien invasion and things are not collapsing.  There may, however, have been a price to pay for all that, and it might have something to do with a mysterious organization known only as "The Circle."

It's being written, produced (by The Arbor Group), and cast right here in St. Louis.  I can personally attest to that since I'm in it.  My character, known only as "The Gardener" is rumored to be a former member of "The Circle."  More than that I cannot say.

Want a sneak peak at Gateway?  Happy to oblige.  Here's the trailer.  If you're a local theatre fan you will probably recognize most (if not all) of the cast.

The producers are using this to raise funds for the project via crowdsourcing, so feel free to spread the word.