Clearing the Way: From CRAWL or DIE to TRYHARD COMPANY
- Oklahoma Ward
- Jul 19
- 5 min read
"TANK doesn’t sleep — and neither do we. Week by week, we’re bleeding through the cut… and loving it."
Behind-the-scenes updates, production news, and indie filmmaking insights from Oklahoma Ward
📚 TABLE OF CONTENTS
🎬 PRODUCTION BREAKING NEWS
The last couple weeks have been hard. Family stuff — the kind that shifts your footing.
My dad, Homer, had to be readmitted to the hospital. Pneumonia. At 93, every round is a battle. But he’s fighting hard — trying to get back home.
And me? I’m still here. Still working. Still building. Not because it’s easy — but because it matters.
💻 New Mac Mini setup is underway
🗂️ Clearing out drives — 1000s of dupes deleted
🧱 Building the permanent, final home for all assets
This post isn’t just an update — it’s a reset. And I’m still in this fight.
🛠️ PROJECT UPDATE: TRYHARD COMPANY
💬 Field Notes from the Director's Chair – Progress, Pressure, and the Push Forward.
Rebuilding the Editing Engine
While the blog was paused, I was far from idle.Every spare second went into reorganizing and optimizing the full edit pipeline.
🔧 Cleaning the Pegasus and building a proper FCPX “leave in place” workflow
📁 Sorting RAW FOOTAGE / Outside folder (next pass coming soon)
🧰 Finalizing LUTs, sound fx, ricochet assets, and pickup storage system
💣 Mac Mini test phase in progress — full load test before install
This is all so the series can move faster — and smoother — when the edit resumes full swing.
I’ve got the eye of the storm behind me. And the fire ahead.
🔍 Curious where each episode stands?
The TRYHARD COMMAND CENTER gives you a live look at every mission — from edits to effects to final sound.
Every update. Every step. Every fight to the finish.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
(For access to all Episode Breakdowns)
🎙️ DIRECTOR'S THOUGHTS
Wires, Guts, and Everything in Between.
🎬 Let’s cut to the truth...
🎙️Why I’m Still Here
There’s a moment when the weight gets loud.
You start wondering — should I just rush and finish this thing?
But this isn’t just a series. It’s something I want my dad to see. And I know that if I push through the pain and keep building it right — it’ll be something I can be proud of forever.
Yeah, I’ve been quiet. And yeah — this post probably won’t hit 1000 views like the last one.
But it’s real. And it’s here. And I’m still at it.
That’s what matters.
🔍 Three Things I THINK I THINK - That Hit Me This Week on YouTube:
🎬
Remember me talking so much about - what makes a project stand out - a GREAT scene - well this - to me - is one of the greatest CAR SCENES every made - it's so good. Different. Creative. Cinematic - in both edit/visual - and sound! ONE OF THE BEST! This is one of those scenes that always inspires me to push my vision and create - different!
A good vid about the movie - TWO LANE BLACKTOP!
🎥
I am truly so happy - that props and/or parts form movies - continue to be valued and cherished and saved as an important part of who we are - as a people. Love this!
🎙️
I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
...'nuff said.
🎭 ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
They didn’t just play the role.
They became the reason you kept watching.
🎬 Featured Actor:
Drops every WEDS.
📺 SERIES SPOTLIGHT
Drops every other Saturday.
🎥 FILM SPOTLIGHT
Drops every other Saturday.
🏆 CRAWL OR DIE CORNER
The film that started it all.
Before TRYHARD COMPANY, there was CRAWL or DIE — a relentless indie beast that clawed its way out of the U.S. underground and became a cult phenomenon, especially overseas.
🎬 WATCH IT NOW
You can stream or rent CRAWL or DIE here:
🔥 Cult underground sci-fi. One tunnel. One woman. One chance.
🎨 FAN TRIBUTE VAULT
This week’s spotlight: Vintage Fan Art
From the early days of the film — gritty, handmade tributes from the trenches of indie fandom. 🔍 Click to enlarge. Soak in the grime. The legacy. The love.
💬 STILL BLEEDING INDIE
TANK wasn’t just a survivor — she became a symbol. A silhouette of desperation, rage, and raw survival. In TRYHARD COMPANY, her legend evolves. The war gets bigger, the world gets meaner — but at its core, it’s still her story: One soldier. One mission. One endless tunnel.
🎬 Rent / Buy / Stream the Original CRAWL or DIE and Prepare for TANK’s return in TRYHARD COMPANY: The Series
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
🔴 Don’t Miss the Next Drop 🔴
STAY IN THE LOOP WITH US
Get behind-the-scenes updates, new blog posts, and future project news — not just TRYHARD COMPANY.
👤 Follow Oklahoma Ward – director, editor, indie war room general
👩🚀 Follow Nicole Alonso – actor, creator, and the face of TANK
📰 Follow this Blog – for every update, every drop, every detour
Whatever we build next — you’ll be first to know.
🚀 JOIN THE TRYHARD COMPANY TEAM
We’re building this series from the ground up — no studio net, no budget machine. Just fire, grit, and a need to create something real.
If you’re reading this — you’re part of the mission.
💥 Want to Go Deeper?
🔗 Visit TRYHARDseries.com
📢 Share this blog with someone who loves raw sci-fi
📡 Spread the word:#TRYHARDCompany | #TANKarmy | #IndieSciFiLives
🎥 The mission’s live. The team is growing. Let’s make this impossible thing happen — together.
🟡 SIGN UP FOR UPDATES 🟡
🔗 CONNECT
📣 Want to stay in the loop?
Follow us across socials and join the team:
🟡 SIGN UP FOR UPDATES
Mission Accomplished... for now.
The briefing may be over, but the mission continues. Join the TRYHARD COMPANY team and stay tuned for more updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes information. Share your thoughts and join/follow us on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, twitter/x etc. - and we'll catch you every Weds/Saturday...
Create fearlessly,
Oklahoma Ward
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