With its clear "Men are from
Mars, Vermin are from hell" message, rats! is a new short
film that grips you in the gut and nibbles on your toes. Attacking
on numerous fronts, this potent release invades the mind with
new awareness of rataphobia's rampant stigma in today's suburbia.
Production Notes
"It was quite simple to lay down the story as it had happened but it began to take on a whole new meaning as the production progressed. I realized the frustration, anger, adrenaline and fear that I experienced first hand with the extermination process was the same level of emotion I experienced when making this film."
Phil assembled the cast and crew in 10 days. They were all
willing donate their time and efforts to the project. Mark Goodnow,
director photography and a friend of Phil's, interrupted his stint
with the PowerRangers in L.A. to shoot the film. Thom Harp, a
well-known D.P. in Seattle and a great lighting artist, joined
the team as the gaffer. Mark and Thom created a picture that breathed
life into Murray's dark basement. 
Production began on Friday the 13th, 1998. The date denotes the unrelenting problems that tried to undermine the entire production. For the most part it was a typical shoot. It lasted 5 full days and Phil shot some pick up footage after Mark went back to L.A. Phil recalls most memorable experience. "We were running out of film on weekend and not one company in town had a b/w reel of 16mm. It was a harrowing experience. My entire crew was certain we were going to run out. I pressed on like a madman and we made it until Monday. We were also unable to find dead black rats to use for some of the stunts. Kellee Mitchell, makeup/wardrobe, was able to paint the dead white rats she found just in time for the required shots. I can't believe I was able to put together a crew of this caliber. They were wonderful!" says Seneker.
The production ended successfully. Phil got the coverage he
wanted. He was on pins and needles until the video transfer because
he had only seen an exposure test during production. He was overjoyed
when all the footage was intact and, to top it off, the exposure
looked great.