Lights, camera, puppets, action! Windsong Productions took on a creative challenge by participating in CMAC’s annual community film event, where local filmmakers joined forces to recreate scenes from a beloved feature film. This year, the chosen classic was none other than Home Alone, and in true Windsong fashion, our team brought an innovative spin to the project—merging handcrafted miniatures, puppetry, and in-house set fabrication to produce two unforgettable scenes.
Scene-by-Scene: A Creative Challenge
As a full-service production company with a passion for storytelling, we thrive on pushing creative boundaries. When given the opportunity to reimagine two very specific scenes from Home Alone in a shot-for-shot remake, our crew came together to craft something truly special. Inspired by the skills of our in-house Production Designer, Max Martinez, the team took a hands-on approach, constructing intricate miniatures, dynamic set pieces, and our extensive puppet collection to put an absurdist lens on our assigned scenes.
The Power of Practical Effects
Rather than a traditional live-action approach, we leaned into the magic of practical effects. Our talented crew designed and built detailed miniatures that replicated the film’s iconic mid-western, winter road. Our Art Department re-created a white blanketed Chicago road, while the puppetry applied to our live-action scene added a whimsical, handcrafted charm.
Beyond these niche techniques, we employed some traditional production tactics to make each scene feel authentic to the source material. Our production assistants, Abby Edwards, and Jordan Singh, brought a detailed eye to the wardrobe and props. Then, we kept the cast local.
We cast Assistant Producer, Chelsea Gue, as Kevin’s mom—bringing in professional hair and makeup to capture her iconic early 90’s style. Crew members Tony Bennett, Cody Fletcher, and Vince Cosentino made cameos as the Kenosha Kicker Polka Band. Finally, John Candy’s character, Gil Polinski, was puppeteered by Byron Watkins, Jordan Singh, and Cody Fletcher.
The result? Two sequences that showcase the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and camaraderie that we pride ourselves on at Windsong.
Why Community Participation Matters
This event was more than just a fun exercise—it was a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling and community. Crowdsourced film challenges encourage innovation, bringing together seasoned professionals and aspiring filmmakers alike. For our team, it was an opportunity to experiment, refine our craft, collaborate internally, and engage with the local creative community in an entirely new way.
The Premiere Event & Where to Watch
The final Home Alone remake—stitched together from the creative efforts of over 40 local participating groups—premiered on December 3, 2024, at CMAC in downtown Fresno. The collaborative project is now available to stream on CMAC’s website, showcasing the passion and talent of Fresno’s filmmaking community.
Behind the Scenes at Windsong Productions
At Windsong, we don’t just make videos—we craft experiences. Our work spans commercials, branded content, live events, and documentaries—always with a keen eye for detail and a passion for pushing our creative boundaries. Whether it’s through creative concepting, practical effects, visual effects, handcrafted set design, miniatures, stop-motion, puppetry, stunt work, or animation – our team is dedicated to producing top-tier work that leaves a lasting impression.
Want to see more of our work? Follow Windsong Productions on socials and check out the full Home Alone crowdsourced film on CMAC’s website.
