WEB SERIES /IN PRODUCTION - WHERE WERE YOU

Web series are the new tv show, and some great stories are emerging to meet a growing demand.

Directed by Edward Drake and written by Edward in conjunction with Timothy Ratcliffe, "Where Were You" puts an original Australian twist on the concept of how society copes with a disaster where information is disseminated as sparingly as possible and control methods separate a city.

The story is sound: The 'Black Plague' of the 21st century has hit. Entire nations are under siege by a virus with no care for class or creed. Amongst the organized chaos, the city of Melbourne continues to function, albeit barely. The West has been quarantined and the infected roam freely, whilst the East enjoys relative prosperity and luxury. The biggest question is, "What secrets lie to the West"

This young and enthusiastic cast and crew do a great job of protraying the sense of unknown, and this short film is definitely worth a look.

POST PRODUCTION - FROM PARTS UNKNOWN - Fight Like A Girl

When someone describes their film genre as Pro-Wrestling/Action/Horror, you have to look twice. It's pretty ballsy making up your own film genre, so it's not surprising to find that this is a pretty ballsy film. When asked what it was about, zany writer/director describes it tongue in cheek:

"it features women wrestlers, zombies, a video game gone awry and a token midget ...seriously, what more do you need to know?" which is a pretty good point when you think about it.

If you do need to know more however, the film centres around Charlie, played by singer/songwriter Jenna Dwyer  who works by day for the evil Corporation X, promoting their new video game "From Parts Unknown". Naturally, as it should be, she also has a secret life after dark pursuing her dream to become the pro wrestling champion of the world - which doesn't impress her boyfriend who demands that she quit the wrestling biz.

When her boss uses unstable nano-technology to enhance the experience of playing "From Parts Unknown" all hell is unleashed as players turn into homicidal zombies intent on destroying the world. Charlie must use her wrestling prowess to save the world or die trying, even if her boyfriend disapproves. The trailer makes for interesting viewing, and promises a film that will slot nicely into it's own little cult niche.

Starring Jenna Dwyer, Ross Ditcham, Josh Futcher, Elke Osadnik, Mick Preston & Sarah Howett and produced by Joffa Hardy, G Dante Spaienza, Anthony Moran & Daniel Armstrong, this quirky film will be ready to hit distribution in mid 2011 so stay tuned to hear more!

IN PRODUCTION - THE TELEMARKETERS

Telemarketers - an inevitable part of life today and the bane of every household! Thank goodness someone has seen the funny side of it all and put it to film!

 Written by  J D Rebel and well known Author C A Milson (The Chosen), this very clever youtube Mockumentary series gives us a glimpse into the industry of telemarketing and the people who will do whatever it takes to close the deal. Filmed in Queensland and utilising local talent, The Telemarketers contains all the characters we love to hate -  the sleezy boss, the manipulative secretary and telemarketers we just want to reach through the screen and throttle - and  nicely combines them with the "nice guys come last" characters that you can't help but feel sorry for. It all goes together to create compelling viewing, even if it is just to see justice ocassionally served!

In the vein of the hugely popular cult TV series, The Office, this film is bound to resonate with audiences across the globe and will no doubt quickly accumulate it's own cult following. The trailer has already received positive reviews and full scale filming is scheduled for early 2011. This is definitely worth keeping an eye on, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was picked up by a savvy television station by season 2.

Directed by C.A. Milson & Daniel Pirrone-Cook, stars Rachel Forsyth, Jo Christiaans, Darrell Plumridge, Chris Howard, Kate Crowson, Andrew Nathan, James Harris, Holly Phillips, Michelle Berka, Laura Jane Turner, Alier Ataing, Allen Morris, Stephen Morris, Rudi Tartaglia, Jimmy Morris

TRAILER POST PRODUCTION - 3010 - CHILDREN OF THE REVENANT

Good sci fi films are always in demand. Include some well known actors, and experienced crew, and you are probably on to a winner! Written by Michael Rodriguez and Directed by Simon Smith, this film looks set to put Australian Filmmakers back on the sci fi map.

 Set in the year 2950, Children of the Revenant follows the fate of Earth after a powerful alien empire successfully sets out to conquer it. Post war, the  Earth is mostly a ravaged wasteland except for the massive, technologically advanced cities, controlled by their alien rulers. Humans who have not found themselves assimilated into  society live on the fringes under less than civilised conditions and are the base for a small resistance group.

The story follows nine very different and unlikely companions from within the resistance who find themselves aboard a small transport vessel bound for the space outpost of the alien conquerors. Conflicts and personality clashes reign until they cross paths with a space ship which is under attack, and they are forced to put aside their differences and deal with the unknown force. A rising death toll, a seemingly unstoppable foe, and allies becoming enemies all add to the tension.

With Stunt Co-ordinator Chris Anderson (Sanctum, Daybreakers, Tomorrow When the War Began, Killer Elite),  Assistant Stunt Co-ordinator Morgan Evans (King Kong, Lord of The Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Knowing) and Fight Choreographer Brendan Guerin (X-Men Origins, Rush, Killer Elite, Knowing) at the helm you can guarantee this is going to be an action packed film. Add in  actor Chris Kirby (Matrix, Daybreakers, Star Wars Episode III, Queen of The Damned), and the lighting expertise of Ian Dart and you have the makings of a hit. The trailer is currently in post production, with a release date of March 2011.

Stars Chris Kirby, Natalie Walker, Michael Rodrigues, Katherine Rodrigues, Brad Kendrick, Robert Belford, Amanda Quick, Salvatore Galofaro, Desmond Chiam, Maya Aleksandra. Produced by: Simon Smith, Miroslav Cacija, Michael Rodrigues, Katherine Rodrigues, Brendan Guerin. Executive Producers: Jim Kileen, Mike Vokes, Stephen Lowis

PRE-PRODUCTION / TEASER - BLOOD AND RELICS

In the brave new world of web series’, The Movie Extra Web Fest  Competition brought to the fore  a whole new generation of filmmakers. And what a fascinating competition it has proven to be, with some great (and not so great) offerings and good sports shining brightly against a disappointing plethora of bad sports. Amongst this chaos a number of great new concepts shine brightly, and one of those is “Blood and Relics”, the brain child of Joshua C Birch and Simon Taylor.

Blood and Relics is an action series set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world where humanity has regressed back to the tribal age. Rather than the bleak and uncompromising planet often displayed as the typical post apocalyptic scenario, this planet has been reclaimed by Mother Nature, which is a comforting touch. 

The series follows a young Novice hunter (newcomer Kashmir Sinnamon) who has uncovered some of the secrets of the past. As he delves deeper into this world he distances himself further from the tribe and incurs the wrath of the Veteran hunter (well known favourite ‘bad guy’ Ozzie Devrish) and other tribal leaders.  In a community which fears the past, the Novice is quickly ostracised for bringing the ‘old evil ways’ back to hurt his people and he finds himself siding with a mysterious Hermit (up and coming actor James Harris). Ultimately he finds himself at the tipping point of revolutionary change and fighting against his own people.

This series holds great potential – whilst the story has been touched on before in other forms, so too have vampires and war films, which just goes to prove that a good story, told well and with new twists and a great new ending, will always be in demand. The casting is clever and well balanced, showing a mature understanding of fitting actor to character  (and an understanding of the pulling value of the 8+IMDb rule!). It is not surprising they are in the finals for the Movie Extra Competition (second place, from 100 competitors!) and I look forward to seeing the completed series in 2011.

Cast: Ozzie Devrish  (PJ Hogan’s Peter Pan, Crocodile Dundee in NY, The Condemned, TV series The Strip, sci fi cult The Dark Lurking and rumoured to be cast next year alongside Mad Max legend Roger Ward in The Hospice) James Harris (Azrael, Dartworth, Mercedes, Kansas), Kashmir Sinnamon.

Written by Simon Taylor & Joshua C Birch, Producer Simon Taylor, Director Joshua C Birch, Cinematographer Brian Loewe, Production Design Kate Carrick, First A.D. Summa Liu, Make-up  Amanda Rieck, Editor Michael Du – Shane, Sound Design Andrew Couzens, Colourist Lauren 'Thunder' Carter , First AC / Gaff Lachlan Hughes , Sound David Ridley , Art Assistant Sean Lemass.

POST PRODUCTION - TOMORROW STARTS TONIGHT

Movie Musicals aren't a popular genre for many movie makers, largely because getting scriptwriters who can put music to a story without it being outrageously corny are hard to find. Tomorrow Starts Tonight steps up to the plate though and offers 14 great songs intertwined into a good fun story that will make it compelling viewing to the "teen plus" audience in particular.

Described as a rock musical, the story revolves around four young couples and the very different relationship issues each couple faces. The first music offering will be available for download shortly, and all 14 tracks will be available early 2011.

The cast are relatively unknown actors, however they are all well matched as couples and seem to have the requisite chemistry to keep the story believable. Combined with a well written plot and  a relevant broad appeal soundtrack, the potential of this film to fill a current gaping hole in the film market is enormous.

Tomorrow Starts Tonight is produced by Darren Phillips and Dan Skeed and stars Matthew Sartori, Jennifer Van Heeckeren, Dan Skeed, Alison Meredith, Rebekah Easton, Santino Emmi, Laura Huxley, Luke Holland, Gemma Brown and Iain PF McDonald

SHORT FILM REVIEW - DURESS

It’s a really big ask to make a short film about the drug trade and law enforcement officers when it is seen regularly on everything from film to TV series like Law and Order – viewers automatically expect an A-Grade experience - but Duress definitely makes compelling viewing and comes up to par.  

The real life experiences of writer/director Luis Pimber no doubt explain the compelling storyline and realistic characters, but the film is much more than that. Generally short films have to make sacrifices, but this one has come up aces and with some slight changes would make a great feature. It is not surprising that it was the 2010 winner at the Best Of Festival at the Pheonix Filmstock Film Festival.

The film is based on a true story and follows a drug ring which has been infiltrated by the HIDTA Drug Task Team. You can’t help but like the characters and accept the story as believable  – the conversation between two dads at the beginning easily inspires a smile and most women viewers will shake their heads knowingly when one of the characters is on the phone denying being married while the camera pans out a little to show his wedding ring! Just as you are holding your breath waiting to see if the ‘narcs’ get caught out and the whole thing goes bad, or if the bad guys get what they deserve .... up roll the credits! You’ve got to love an ending that does that! Some great acting, and a great sound track by Eduado Venegas, Antonio ‘Booda’ Guzman (also one of the cast)  and Juan Massaqouai aka Rise 1.

  

There are a few up and coming actors I would love to have on film, and I think we will be seeing more of them in the near future. Duress Stars Elliot Ruiz, Luis Pimber (Lou Pimber), Andrew McLaren, special appearance by John Proudstar.  Written and Directed by Luis Pimber and Bryant Scott, DOP Ben Bratten.