Whirlwind Productions, LLC is heading to the 4C’s Bucking Bull Ranch located in Stephenville Wednesday to shoot footage for their upcoming magazine-style format show. The show focuses on bringing the ranching, farming and rodeo lifestyle to homes across the country with a “how-to” approach. Currently researched and developed under the working title of “When I Grow Up...!” The production company is in talks with several networks and looks forward to national distribution soon. As their mission statement says “Whirlwind Productions was formed on the basis of bringing quality family programming to a wider audience. We hope to enrich the viewer of all the many aspects of the world of country living, rodeo competitions, fashion, interviews with notables and much more all with a modern and easily accessible approach.”
Gilbert and Julie Carrillo, owners of the 4C’s Ranch, will have the production team out to their ranch to shoot footage on what it takes to breed, raise and train the bulls.
“People do not realize what it to takes to prepare these animals for the ring, I want people to know and not take it for granted” says Melanie Biedebach, president and executive producer of Whirlwind Productions. This is just one of the many segments currently being shot for their upcoming show. “Our show gives the viewer practical information to get involved, through the visual experience as well as contact information such as local organizations, associations and clubs. I want to blur the lines a bit; people think you need to have grown up on a ranch or farm, I don’t believe that. What about the family in the big city that wants to move out to the country and get back to their roots? Or the girl who wants to be a Cowgirl Chick but lives in New York?” Those are the questions the show will answer.
Even as a retired world champion bull rider, Gilbert is still making headlines for his nomination into the bull riders highest distinction; the Ring of Honor through the Professional Bull Riders Association. At press time, Gilbert, co-founder of the PBR, leads with Adriano Moraes trailing behind him and Justin McBride in third place.
While his wife Julie managed the ranch with her two kids, Gilbert headed to the west coast for several PBR events this month with eight of their bulls. Biedebach who happens to be related to Gilbert as second cousins caught up with him at the Fresno, California PBR event. “What a terrific crowd, a full house and everyone had a great time!” said Carrillo. Shorty Gorham, professional Dickies Bullfighter had a comment to say about one of the 4C’s bulls “That Carrillo Cartel, you better watch out for him, he looked the best out there tonight.”
An actress and model based on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California, Melanie Biedebach formed her own production company after seeing the growing need for people to have more access into this wonderful world of living.
“I live in a dairy and equestrian community and when my son is the only kid in school in 4-H, well that’s a problem. I want to protect our rural heritage and if this is a small way to do that through media, then sign me up. I do not live in the big city per se but when people in my own community are asking well what is that and how do I get involved, there is definitely a need. It just took off from there. The outpouring of interest has had a domino effect, people are asking for behind the scenes interviews, how to’s and basically all access.” Biedebach has been busy for the past two months developing and shooting footage for the show. “I have deep roots in Texas and look forward to visiting friends and family while working with my production staff both in front of the camera and behind.” These are the last segments of the footage being shot, then it is time to head into the studio for editing but not before the wrap party at the Anaheim Invitational, Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Honda Center.
“This has been quit a journey. I am hopeful we get picked up by one of the larger networks, not just the networks geared towards this particular lifestyle.”
After Stephenville the crew will be heading south to San Antonio for the Stock and Rodeo Show for scheduled interviews with big names within the rodeo circuit and the roster is “growing daily.”
