Full Breakdown
Quads & The Kicker Begins Filming in Arizona
5/7/2026, 4:29:52 AM
Principal Photography Launch for Neo-Noir Thriller "Quads & The Kicker"
Ranch Productions started principal photography on the neo-noir thriller *Quads & The Kicker* in May 2026. The project is Ranch Productions’ second feature film. The film, written and directed by Heidi James, follows a sisterhood of female poker grifters whose shifting alliances and a triple-con fracture their bond. Shooting is taking place in Flagstaff, Arizona, including executive producer Dean Stoecker’s handcrafted cabin and locations across Northern Arizona.
Background & Context
Quads & The Kicker adapts the Off-Broadway play *Never The Same Rhyme Twice* by Andy Rooster Bloch. The production blends noir thriller elements with original music, positioning it as a hybrid-genre project within Ranch Productions’ emerging slate.
Cast and Creative Team
- Kelly Marie Tran – known for *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*
- Ilia Isorelýs Paulino – known for *The Sex Lives of College Girls*
- Ashley Reyes – known for *Walker*
- Jamie Neumann – known for *The Deuce*
Key crew includes director Heidi James, producers Michael Downey, Dave McVeigh, and James, executive producer Dean Stoecker, choreographer Monika Felice Smith, original-song writer Molly Venter (Goodnight Moonshine), composer Keefus Ciancia (*True Detective*), cinematographer Luka Bazeli, production designer Adri Siriwatt, and first assistant director Saro Bonnin.
Production Data
- Principal locations: Flagstaff and surrounding Northern Arizona sites
- Main cast members: 4
- Producers: 3 (plus executive producer)
- Listed crew roles: 7 (choreographer, songwriter, composer, cinematographer, production designer, first AD, director)
Venter’s original song and Ciancia’s score reinforce the film’s hybrid-genre tone.
Official Statements & Responses
Director Heidi James emphasized the value of extended rehearsal time to explore character depth before the era of immediacy. Executive producer Dean Stoecker highlighted that this is Ranch Productions’ second film and expressed the company’s commitment to visceral, unique hybrid-genre projects.
Criticism & Opposition
No critical or opposing viewpoints were reported in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The luxury of time—to really connect and explore—is something we don’t often allow ourselves anymore,” — Heidi James, Director
- “I wanted to build something that reflects a way of being before everything became immediate.” — Heidi James, Director
- “This marks our second film under the Ranch Productions banner,” — Dean Stoecker, Executive Producer
- “We’re drawn to visceral, unique, hybrid-genre projects like Quads & The Kicker and have an exciting slate to follow.” — Dean Stoecker, Executive Producer
Why It Matters
The film’s focus on a sisterhood of female poker grifters provides a female-centric perspective within the neo-noir thriller genre. The film expands the neo-noir genre’s focus by centering a sisterhood of female poker grifters.
What’s Next
The film will join Ranch Productions’ slate of upcoming releases.
