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Showing posts with label Short Film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Film. Show all posts

Supernatural Short STITCHED Gets A Comic Con Debut

Source: Mischief Maker Studios


Avatar Press and Mischief Maker Studios proudly announce that legendary comic book writer Garth Ennis will be premiering his short film, Stitched, at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday evening, July 21, at 8:15pm in the convention’s Room 6DE. Featuring Ennis’s debut as a filmmaker, Stitched blends supernatural horror with a contemporary war story, creating a terrifying landscape which will be explored further in an ongoing monthly comic book series.

The fifteen-minute long film is written and directed by Garth Ennis, best known as the writer of such best-selling comic books as Preacher, The Punisher, The Boys, and Crossed. A Mischief Maker Studios production, Stitched was produced by Brian Pulido, Francisca Pulido (The Graves), and Ed Polgardy (Laid To Rest). Adam Goldfine served as Director of Photography, while both Garth Ennis and William Christensen, the founder of Avatar Press, served as Executive Producers.

In Stitched, three survivors of an American helicopter crash (played by actors Tank Jones, Lauren Alonzo, and Kate Kugler) struggle across the high mountains of Afghanistan. They’re injured, without food, water, or medicine, and moving through Taliban-controlled territory. Among the sun-bleached rocks, they discover something worse than enemy fighters: an ancient supernatural power – murderous, unstoppable, and serving a twenty-first century evil.

“I’ve been thinking about (directing films) for a number of years now,” says Ennis. “Ever since the interest in a Preacher film became more solid, and the options on it and The Boys were picked up. I've written screenplays and treatments for things like Crossed, but I haven't really devoted myself to a film project before, not the way I have with Stitched. I've always loved movies; my comics are much more heavily influenced by film and TV than they are by other comics. So having a go at this seems quite natural.”

Hosting the premiere of Stitched at San Diego Comic-Con marks a first for the convention; although it regularly host panels featuring actors or sneak peak footage of upcoming films, SDCC has never previously premiered a film on-site. San Diego Comic-Con is the largest convention in the western hemisphere, drawing 130,000 attendees annually. With Ennis being a name brand in the comic book community, the convention anticipates that his one-evening-only film premiere will draw a maximum capacity crowd. San Diego Comic-Con attendees will also have an opportunity to purchase exclusive early release DVDs on site for an autographing opportunity with creator Garth Ennis.

The footage filmed for Stitched comprises the opening conflict of a script intended as a full-length feature film. The full Ennis-penned script will be the basis of the first story arc in the upcoming, ongoing comic book series. From the behind-the-scenes footage available on the DVD release, Ennis says, “Stitched is going to have legs beyond just this 15-minute short. Most immediately, we're going to launch a new comic drawn by the always-excellent Mike Wolfer. The first series will tell the complete story that the film only begins.” The first issue of the comic book series will be released in November alongside the nationwide Stitched DVD release.

Garth Ennis, a critically acclaimed writer from Northern Ireland, has been working in the comic book industry for over 20 years. He is most easily recognized as the creator of Preacher from DC/Vertigo, as well as a long-time contributor to Marvel Comics’ The Punisher. His previous comic book work published by Avatar Press includes Dicks, 303, Chronicles of Wormwood, Streets of Glory, and the increasingly popular Crossed franchise, a horror survival series set in a world overrun by sadistic homicidal maniacs.

Avatar Press is a groundbreaking independent publishing company which produces a wide variety of cutting-edge comic books, graphic novels, and original web content. Their high-quality publications include the work of such industry luminaries as Garth Ennis (Crossed, Chronicles of Wormwood), Warren Ellis (Freakangels), David Lapham (Caligula, Crossed: Psychopath), and Alan Moore (Neonomicon). They also produce a diverse range of licensed projects including the classic zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and George RR Martin’s Fevre Dream. Their action-oriented Boundless Comics imprint publishes Brian Pulido’s original Lady Death and Mike Wolfer’s reimagining of the classic femme fatales Pandora, Hellina, and Widow in the series War Goddess. For more information about Avatar Press, their publications, and creators, please visit www.avatarpress.com.

Mischief Maker Studios, owned by Brian Pulido and Francisca Pulido, is a multi-media entertainment company that develops, produces, and controls a library of properties and storylines, and partners with world renowned creators and clients to realize their full sales potential across all media platforms including film, television, print, online, mobile, gaming, and merchandising. Their first feature film, The Graves, sold to After Dark Films, Lionsgate, Syfy and a dozen international distributors. For more info, visit: www.MischiefMakerStudios.com.

For more information on the Stitched film, its DVD release, the film premiere at San Diego Comic-Con, and the comic book series, please visit the website www.FearTheStitched.com

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GODAIZER - A Giant Robot And Monster Orgasmotron

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Hillary Yeo

Last December I posted an article about a great new animated giant robot short called "Godaizer" which has been a three year labor of love for film maker Hillary Yeo. Today, thanks to Yeo, I was able to view the finished product and let me tell you I was left nearly speechless. What Yeo has been able to capture is the pure essence of both the giant robot and giant monster genre in one amazing 20-minute film.

Think of "Godaizer" as "Tetsujin 28-go", "Mazinger", "Ultraman: The Next" and "WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3" all assembled together to mash up in a perfect union with a bow on top.

There is no way that any fan of either Japanese anime or Tokusatsu could walk away from this one without feeling totally satisfied. The animation is beautiful and seamless, the robot design for "Godaizer" is timeless, (as if it jumped off the screen from a 70s Japanese cartoon) the monster is a nasty looking as can be and the combat sequences look pure Tsuburaya/Tanaka/Honda.

Here is a short synopsis of the plot:

An independent computer animated short about a robot repair warehouse run by a old man and his grandson where old decommissioned giant robot Godaizer is kept.

When a giant monster is awoken, its time for Godaizer to rise again and defeat it. But at what cost is it going to take to take down the monster?

At this time Yeo has entered "Godaizer" in a few festivals, including the Long Island International Film Expo. The film maker is also trying to get the word out there about his short film, which I am more than happy to aide him with, and has found the process to be a little harder than he first anticipated. True, it is hard to get noticed in this modern age where entertainment is literally at your fingertips, but I am more than confident that when people are able to see "Godaizer" the word will spread like wildfire.

Yeo has created something special here so don't be surprised if his career takes a major step forward after this.








See Also: More Robot Mayhem In Hillary Yeo's GODAIZER

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More Robot Mayhem In Hillary Yeo's GODAIZER

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Twitch / GODAIZER Web Site / Avery Guerra

If you have actually taken the time to read many of my articles here at MIN, you have undoubtedly noticed my tendency to bitch and moan about copy-cat films, the fact that film makers seem to all make the same type of film at the same time, i.e. Bigfoot films and giant shark flicks, and the use of CGI animation over old-school stop-motion effects. That being said, you will probably be surprised to learn that there is one genre out there that no matter how many films get produced, I won't complain about it, that is, the giant robot genre, and I am actually thankful that the latest improvements in CGI effects have given film makers the tools to produce quality work on a small budget.

I know, you just fell out of your chair.

True, many of these films are either homages, or based on existing robot franchises, which I suppose makes them copy-cats, none the less, but I love them anyway.

Today's film, "GODAIZER", is an homage, it is CGI, it's story seems to be based (heavily) on "Tetsujin 28-go", some of the mecha looks exactly like the ones in "Macross" and the monster looks kinda like the one from "Ultraman: The Next." In fact some of the story looks like it may have been inspired by "Ultraman: The Next" or possibly "WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3", which to me doesn't matter, because it looks like one hell of a cool short film.

"GODAIZER" has been a three year project for film maker Hillary Yeo who has poured both heart and soul into creating a visually stunning tribute to the great giant robot anime of the 1970s and 80s.

When I say stunning, I mean stunning. Though the animation in "GODAIZER" is computer generated, I has all the qualities of hand-painted art.

Truly beautiful.

No word yet on any release info on this one, so we'll just have to wait and see what develops.

Until then, here is the trailer plus a few stills:

Godaizer Animation Short - Full Trailer from hilscreate on Vimeo.






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Cole Bayford Serves Up A Little Bigfoot Australian Style In YOWIE

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Robert Hood / Avery Guerra

For the last couple of years American independent film makers have caught a major case of the 'Bigfoot Movie Crazies' with at least a dozen movies about the legendary beast being put into production. Now, it seems that the trend has spread across the Pacific to Australia, where low-budget movie maker Cole Bayford has decided to feature the countries own version of Sasquatch in his short film entitled "Yowie".

The film itself is actually a graduate project for the Griffith University Film School: Bachelor of Film and Screen Media Production Program in which Bayford is currently enrolled and is being filmed in actual Yowie country, Springbrook, NSW, a location where the creature has been sighted numerous times over the years.

Bayford had this to say about the project, "The themes in Yowie are of young love, jealousy and the ‘what if’. What would you do if you witnessed a death in the bush? Yowie explores the reality of basic human instincts and reactions. The film showcases the strength of relationships and the importance of communication between people in terror. The story delves into the speed of emotional change and rising paranoia’s effect on decisions.'

Sounds like some pretty well thought out stuff.

Here is the official synopsis:

Deep in the Australian bush, a legend lies dormant. In an effort to rekindle their relationship a couple drives into the hills for a romantic retreat. James and Vivian find themselves caught between a breakdown in their relationship and a fight for survival against a mysterious beast. What seemed like a new beginning is now a terrible encounter with the unknown. After James mistakes Angus, a harmless bushman, for the Yowie, he shoots him dead. The only way they can endure is to find a way to trust each other again, which, in this extreme situation, is easier said than done. Will they survive the night? And if they do, where will they stand after all that’s happened? This myth is deadly…


"Yowie", which is being produced by Jarred Bocca and stars Rupert Raineri, Anna Kennedy and Brendan Smoother, may only run for 10 minutes, but it looks as if Bayford has managed to squeeze a big film into a little package.

Bayford adds, “A younger audience and those of all ages who love tension and drama can sink their teeth into this psychological thriller."

Look for "Yowie" to hit the film festival circuit in 2011.

Here is the trailer:



See Also: The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #7) / Borrego Sandman / Speedway Monster - Updates - California The Monster State - Part 4 / The Fontana Speedway Monster (1951 - 1992) - California The Monster State - Part 3 / The Borrego Sandman (1939 - Present) - California The Monster State - Part 2 / Classic Tales From Cryptozoology - Mass Flying Dinosaur Sightings In Texas Circa 1976 / The Long Beach Sea Monster (1909) - California The Monster State - Part 1 / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #6) / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #5) / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #4) / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #3) / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #2) / The Crypto Reporter - Monster Sightings From Around The World (Issue #1) / Young Film Makers Taking On The Scottish Sasquatch In BROKEN SPECTRE / Bigfoot Movie News - Nightbeasts Premiere Info - The Bloody Rage Comes To DVD / Two Terrified Kids Unleash THE DEVIL AT LOST CREEK / Is It The Great Pumpkin? Or The MOMO Monster? / An Update On Jamie Belty, The LEGEND OF GRASSMAN Crew Member Who Was Assaulted With A Hammer / A Call Out To All Fans To Help THE LEGEND OF GRASSMAN Crew Member After Assualt / The New Poster For James Baack's BLOODY RAGE OF BIGFOOT - Cast And Crew On MNBRT Radio / Bigfoot Pummels Both Peter Graves And Mr Lobo / New Behind-The-Scenes Photos From Brian Jaynes BOGGY CREEK / Bill Barton's Modern Bigfoot/Western 'Blood Forest' Comes To DVD / Fred Olen Ray Jumps Into The Bigfoot Movie Craze With "Sasquatch vs Chupacabra" / New Toy Tuesday! A Sexy Princess, Ash, Bigfoot, The Mummy And The Starship Enterprise / Two New Clips From Jordan Blum's Bigfoot Horror, 'Savage' / 'Savage' To Premiere At Horrorfind Weekend In Maryland / The Bloody Rage Of Bigfoot - Preview Clips, Nasty Church Letters And Sequel News / The Bloody Rage Of Bigfoot - Behind The Scenes Shots / The Brand-New Teaser Trailer For Brian Jaynes 'Boggy Creek' / “The Legend of Boggy Creek” Director Charles B. Pierce Dead At Age 71

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IT CAME FROM BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN! - Director's Cut

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Douglas Bankston / Avery Guerra

You may, or may not, remember back in June when I posted an article about film maker Douglas Bankstrom's perils at trying to produce a short film called "It Came From Beyond The Mountain!" an homage to the 'big-bug' films of the 1950s like "Them!", "The Deadly Mantis", "Black Scorpion", and most notably, the 1955 Jack Arnold classic, "Tarantula".

Tom make a long story short, Bankstrom's dreams of producing a full-length feature film fell way short and all the indie film maker could afford to produce was a mere four-and-a-half minute monster tribute.

Granted, what Bankstrom was able to cram into his mini-movie was quite good, pity he wasn't able to find enough green stuff to make the movie he wanted to. It could have been really something.

Well, as fate would have it, the film maker was able to get his hands on some more money, not a lot of money, but enough to extend "It Came From Beyond The Mountain!" to a staggering 10 minutes and 38 seconds.

Okay, it's not as long as one of Peter Jackson's 'month-long' movies, but it was the best that he could do ....... give the guy some slack.

Bankstrom refers to this new version of his film as the 'director's cut'.

A classic! Long thought to have been destroyed in the great vault fire of '59, a print was discovered during the police raid of a reclusive collector's home and can now be seen for the first time in 40 years! Teens are terrorized by a giant rampaging spider mutated in a 1950s atomic test gone awry, featuring a mad general, a freight train and a mind-numb... I mean bending... climax that will make your brain turn into some sort of quivering, gelatinous substance. This restored director's cut features footage found under a bed in room 927 in the Roosevelt Hotel.

Lots of old film footage is found like that.

So, without further ado, here is the new, and improved, director's cut of "It Came From Beyond The Mountain!"

It Came from Beyond the Mountain from Douglas Bankston on Vimeo.

See Also: Douglas Bankston's Tribute To 50s Horror IT CAME FROM BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN

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