I think many fans of The Hunger Games know this, but just in case you don’t, there’s a production company out there that have been making short films based off of the The Hunger Games book series.
The production company is called Mainstay Productions and they have already released a short or two based on The Hunger Games, one of them titled Katniss and Rue.
Katniss and Rue depicts the emotionally powerful scene between Katniss and Rue during the games when…
From here on out, you will encounter spoilers for the upcoming Lionsgate movie, The Hunger Games, so read on if you wish, but just know, I’m letting some cats out of the bag…
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Mainstay Productions have done shorts on the cave scene with Katniss and Peeta, and The Second Quarter Quell, a prequel of sorts focused on Haymitch’s Hunger Games.
It’s fascinating to see that these moments, these scenes from The Hunger Games have already had some fan films made, via Mainstay Productions.
If you might recall, I’ve been hovering over the indie short film, Project Arbiter, since before March of 2010. I was introduced to the film creators work back in 2009 and that’s when Michael Chance‘s work snagged my imagination.
Project Arbiter is a 20-minute concept film that was shot on a RED One camera system.
It takes place in 1943 during WWII and we follow an experimental O.S.S. unit whose code name is Project Arbiter while they infiltrate a mysterious villa in Poland and uncover the mysteries within that villa, and the discovery that launches a story.
It’s a movie that blends the reality of World War II with sci-fi and the creator/director wants to have folks see the film as an untold story from the war that based mostly on the potential of the reality of it.
Or, rather than me trying to spell out what I know, here’s how they put it,
{ Project Arbiter is a sci-fi espionage story that demonstrates how a small quiet victory tips the balance of power and foretells the outcome of World War II. }
Around a year previous there was talk of Marvel using short films before or after a feature film to market test for potential upcoming character movies. Marvel ixnayed the rumor right away.
But like others, I thought that would be a brilliant way to test the waters and not drop millions on a film that only a small cadre of fans would like.
According to a source for Film School Rejects, who even they admit, the source is on the periphery of the studio, says that two shorts have already been shot and will be included on DVD releases of Thor and Captain America.
Hence, despite this piece making the rounds of headlines as if it’s news, it could very well be yet one more floundering hope of fans.
It’s not a bad hope either. I think short-films would be an awesome way to not only test the waters for new characters but would also give movie-goers extra yummy mind-munchies to absorb at the movie theater.
The other day one of my ever resourceful and ever-watchful crew of Cinema Static pointed me to a link of a trailer for an upcoming TV project that Jewel Staite is associated with. I took a peek and thought, wow, that looks cool. Being the busy bee that I am, I didn’t get right to it, but my “agent of Static” did some background checking on this and he sent me this update:
“The trailer looked good and the premise was fun though a bit overused by now. Not much info at IMDb or anywhere else. No date yet. What I did find was disturbing. It will probably find its way to Syfy channel. Since Syfy already announced the movies for 2011 it probably won’t air until 2012. Here is the disturbing part, it was made by the same production company that did “Iron Invader” (Reel One Pictures). The rip off of the fantastic kids animation “Iron Giant”, You know, you reviewed it. You know what a piece of crap “Iron Invader” was.
By the way, Reel One Pictures also did “The Alibi” which Emilie Ullerup is in with Nicholle Tom. It is not Sci-Fi so I don’t know when or where that will air.”
My sleuth accurately deduced his Syfy channel hunch and I confirmed it with my own resources… the movie is being produced by Syfy (Remember, they’ve created their own production and distribution channel of late) and is being distributed by Syfy.
This is my shout out to anyone interested, to the press release touching on the first round of U.S. and International film selections for the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival… the festival is presented to fans from the Los Angeles Times. For me, of note, is Another Earth from Fox Searchlight.
This is a huge announcement… no, I mean it’s over 8500 words long huge! Go get that cup of java and settle in for this one!
Via press release:
LOS ANGELES (May 3, 2011) – Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, announced the first round of official US and international selections. The 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival is produced by Film Independent — the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards — and will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries. Opening and Closing Night films, Galas, Conversations, Artists in Residence, LAFCA’s Films That Got Away, along with additional special guests and programming for the Festival Talks will be announced at later dates.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 26. Now in its seventeenth year, the Festival is recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.
This year, the Festival received more than 5,025 submissions from filmmakers around the world, compared to over 4,700 from last year. The final selections represent 27 World, North American, and US premieres. The number of films competing in the narrative and documentary competition categories increased this year from 18 to 19, of which 11 are World premieres and 8 are North American or US premieres. The number of female feature filmmakers also increased this year from 21 to 23.
Warning: The following has language that is Not Safe For Work or young ones!
As you know, I enjoy quality short films, aka indie films. One of my favorites right now is Project Arbiter which will be coming out someday soon! When I hear of one, I check it out and if it sparks my imagination in any way, I’ll put them up and chat about them and let people see what I’m talking about. This next short film, called Lazy Teenage Superheroes (LTS), is great little 12-minute piece of work, that for $300 to produce, is incredible. It ranks incredible from the cost to quality ratio. And it is a great piece of entertainment for a 12 minute break from the day’s routines.
Lazy Teenage Superheroes was created, directed and produced by Michael Ashton and it’s been compared to films like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. That’s an incredible comparison because despite the quality of what was Scott Pilgrim, a lot of fans could not digest the presentation. This short film is on par with Scott Pilgrim, but can easily be placed in the realm of the real world so it is easier for fans to digest this film while easily accepting the reality of it.
The trailer came out around March of 2010. If you’re a network exec that needs a new member on your team to help with your project, like say uh hum, The Cape, I’d give Mr. Ashton a call, let them take over and give him & his team carte blanche!
Michael Chance’sProject Arbiter Could Use Your Help! Read on and find out how YOU can help out an awesome looking project.
In case you haven’t read about the Project Arbiter indie movie here on Brusimm.com, it’s an indie film that appeases both the science fiction fan and the historical war buff and it’s almost finished with the exception of a few post-production details. But I digress, let me tell you a bit about it:
Michael Chance
Bringing the two genres of sci fi and war history together is what Michael Chance is doing in a sci fi espionage story that takes place in 1943. In Project Arbiter we follow an O.S.S. unit codenamed Project Arbiter. The team infiltrates a mysterious villa on the Polish border and they uncover a secret project. A project that could change their own prototype battle-suit program.
Back in April 2010, I chatted for a while in my exclusive interview with Michael Chance about his indie sci fi film, Project Arbiter. In that article, I chatted about other films Michael had put together, a little bit about Michael himself, and how a mere coal miner’s mask inspired his idea for Project Arbiter. It’s here in our chat and my article that we learn that Project Arbiter is a premise that takes popular culture and gels it with historical culture.
Michael Chance
Since then, the team of Michael Chance (Writer / Director), Vicki De Mey (Producer) and Dave Bettencourt, (Co-Producer) headed to Los Angeles and held auditions. In May, production kicked in at locations in Northern California. In one shoot, they noted that they “blasted their way through 9 pages of script in 2 days!” That was with 2 “RED One” cameras, over 40 cast and crew and some cool props like a tank, halftracks and of course, a Project Arbiter suit.
They’ve hit up the blue screen part of the project and now they’re in post-production & editing. Dave made note that the first rough cut of Mike’s film had clocked in at 24 minutes, but as of mid-August, the seventh version of the film stands at just under 20 minutes now.
The other night I was invited to check out a mini film festival of sorts in Downtown San Jose.
There was a compilation of short shorts (films, not clothing people!), & short films. The event took around 45 minutes in all and I came away from the event with my emotions fully engaged. It was a well spent 45 minutes, indeed.
David J. Bettencourt, the producer of Raton, said that Raton won Best Picture in it’s competition and by so doing, they were invited (again) to participate in the International Film Shootout competing against independent film crews from all over the globe. The winner will receive a showing slot at the Cannes Film Festival next year!
“Our entire crew is composed of local film makers that have studied all over the Bay Area but primarily at DeAnza Community College. The efforts put forth in this “micro” film movement has garnered the attention of the Metro Magazine which resulted in this week’s massive front page spread.” (See Metro Magazine link for the full article.)
And you know I’m supporting the local gang to go all the way!
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