When I went to the lumber yard I had all the best intentions. I was going to pick out wooden beams that would have been approximate to the dimensions of what I imagined Jesus’ cross to have been. Likely 4”x6.” That soon changed.

The yard had just received a shipment of used railroad ties and I knew in my gut that this was the direction to go despite the fact that a cross made of railroad ties would be impossible for the actor to carry. I wanted a cross that was utterly imposing and terrifying and that was exactly what we got.

A woodworking friend volunteered to carve the cross pieces together and upon seeing it assembled, I knew it was the right choice. It weighed approximately 300 pounds.

Back at the studio the team constructed a heavy duty pulley system so we could position the cross in whatever way we chose. It was still however very dangerous. After every repositioning, we would put our full weight upon it to ensure the cross never pulled away from its moorings. Thankfully it never did.