WATCH ZOMBIE GIRL FOR FREE

ZOMBIE GIRL: THE MOVIE, a the documentary on a 12-yr old girl who takes on the challenge of making a full length zombie flick is now online for free. Watch it before it goes offline on 8/20. Go here for more.

From Wikipedia:

Zombie Girl: The Movie (2008) is an award-winning documentary about the making of the 2006 film Pathogen which was directed by Emily Hagins, twelve years-old at the time. The film chronicles young Emily's two year struggle to get her feature-length zombie film, Pathogen made. In 2009 the film won the Spirit of Slamdance Award at the Slamdance Film Festival. And received largely positive reviews when it was screened at various film festivals.

DOWNLOAD DROIDMAKER FOR FREE

Author Michael Rubin is allowing us to download his book DROIDMAKER absolutely free straight from his blog. For those who are wondering, the book is a extensive history on Lucasfilm and the history of Pixar.

The book is available in split chapters and in pdf format but only for a short time. So get your butt over there and grab the book and don't forget your manners by saying thanks to the writer.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Want to know what kind of film can be made for around $150? This one:



No more excuses for any of us now. Let's go out there, scrape some change, and make a movie.

Want to know how it was made? Check this out:


(h/t to Waxy.org)

STOCKS THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON

Tip of the hat to Bill over at Pulp 2.0 for discovering this nifty link.

As previously mentioned, Pond 5, seems to be the place to go these days for reasonably priced stock footage. Yet to make the site even more sweeter, Pond 5 is now giving away one free stock clip each week for anyone who signs up. It's all free with no strings so click here and go make that flick.

Some clips that you can be using for your next project:

INSIDE CHIODO BROS. STUDIO

(via Scars Magazine)

THE OUTBREAK

Here is yet another cool thing that is being done with new pulp media; a zombies run amok flick done in a choose your own adventure style. Do you think you can survive The Outbreak?

This is yet another cool idea that can be done with your next new pulp media idea, so click here, have fun, and take notes.

Stay weird!

(h/t to /film)

AMERICAN ROBOTS IN AMERISPACE -TEASER

Here is a teaser for the upcoming Drawless Animated flick AMERICAN ROBOTS IN AMERISPACE.

Production video journals can be found here and the the AK5000 Commercial can be seen here. Also for more Drawless Animation grooviness check out these past posts on the topic.

WARNING: THE TRAILER DOES CONTAIN SOME LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED Not Safe For Squares or NSFS or NSFW.



P.S. I swear I'm not trying to turn this into a all Youtube blog. I'm in the middle of tons of project related stuff and I promise to get some real DIY articles back online soon. Stay weird!

EDITING TRICKS YOU MUST KNOW

I found some cool video tutorials on video editing that for anyone even remotely interested in making a film should learn and place in their toolkit of skills. These vids are from a filmmaker Peter John Ross and John Whitney's newest flick HORRORS OF WAR.

Sorry there was no way to embed these tutorials, but just go ahead and click on the links and let your noggin absorb some editing know-how.

• Tutorial #1: Cutting on Motion and Crunching Time
• Tutorial #2: L-Cuts aka Split Cut

REMEMBERING PAUL BLAISDELL

It's no secret that one of my favorite monster makers was Paul Blaisdell and his wife. In 2006 Bob Burns, who was a good friend of the Paul Blaisdell's, spoke on behalf of the two when receiving a Monster Kid Hall of Fame award in their honor. I came across the video clip of the event and thought that I would share it with you:

SOCK BABY

This is not a hundred percent a puppet-centric web serial. However, it does feature a sock puppet who is just called Sock Baby whose destiny it is to be the Sock Baby Jesus of the Sock World. It makes sense if you watch the series.

Here is a little behind the scenes info for you: the series is created by Doug TenNapel who among many things created EARTHWORM JIM and the memorable cult game NEVERHOOD which used stop-motion animation for it's graphics. Recently he was behind the short-lived cartoon series CATSCRATCH.

If you dig the entire series then you will glad to know that a fourth episode is in the works which will feature the talented Doug Jones (HELLBOY II) and John and Dan Heder (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE).

If possible, can anyone drop me some info on the stars of the first three episodes. I know that they play a larger role behind the scenes but I can't seem to find any info as of yet.

STAN WINSTON HAS PASSED AWAY

The word around the campfire is that special effects wizard Stan Winston has passed away. The word is that he succumbed to cancer yesterday, Sunday June 15th, but reports have yet to be confirmed. He was 62 years of age.

Stan Winston is probably better known for what he put on the big screen than he is on a personal level. He is the man behind the TERMINATOR, the guy who helped make dinosaurs come to life on JURASSIC PARK, and was even responsible for the effects in EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. The list of films that he had either worked on or gave a lending hand is far too immense to list here. Both his work and imagination will be sorely missed around these parts. (via AICN)

MONSTER MOVIE TRAILER

This made me smile when I saw this over the weekend. The dino puppet is what makes the awesome sauce. Dig it!

JIM HENSON (1983)

A great interview with Jim Henson concerning THE DARK CRYSTAL. Amazing stuff here and just makes me wish the guy was still around to crank out cooler stuff with the technology we have today. (via Puppetvision)

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD CONTROVERSY

Here is a quick and dirty trick for all of us filmmakers out there. First check this out and then come back. Okay, good you're back. Yeah, I know. Crazy, isn't? Now here comes the trick; first say to yourself there is no such thing as a bad controversy. All controversy is a good thing, especially to those who are in the independent scene. Having a film that has suddenly been noticed by the news media and the public at large for something controversial is just as good as a free billboard space.

Now secondly, you take whatever statements or slurs have been hurled at your film and somehow integrate that into your own ad campaign. So for example in the case of the gentleman and his film being pulled off a film festival's schedule he can now say on the DVD cover art, posters, and what not, that his film was "Banned" from the such and such fest.

So now when some Schlockhead walks into a video store and sees that on the cover of a DVD the chances of that film being rented or bought have increased, all because of that statement. Because after all that customer may wonder why the film was banned and what makes the film so controversial. Curiosity will get the best of him and he will watch it and tell his friends and the word of mouth will spread thus helping this flick get some free notice.

Now remember that whenever you have a film that was banned from a festival or some sort of controversy has arisen of your project. It's all good in the end.

THE WOLFMAN REVEALED

Entertainment Weekly scored two official pics of actor Benicio del Toro in the role of the THE WOLFMAN from Universal Studios remake.

I have to admit, I dig this look. It certainly strays away from the modern contemporary look and goes straight to old school by keeping elements of the Universal Studio classic look. The make-up is being done by Rick Baker, so the flick is in good hands thus far. Very groovy! What do you schlockheads think?

BLOODSUCKING REDNECK VAMPIRES, BOOZE, LLOYD KAUFFMAN!

Leaping werewolves! If you are in the Salem, Oregon area looking for a bit of fun for tonight, the my friend you are in luck.

Via Dr. Squid's blog:

It's on! BLOODSUCKING REDNECK VAMPIRES shows on the big screen at the Northern Lights Theater Pub this Friday, Feb. 1 around 9 p.m.

BRV shows, followed by COONS (a b-movie about rednecks and killer racoons) followed by special guest Lloyd Kaufman, the man behind Troma films and such classics as THE TOXIC AVENGER and CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH. Lloyd plans to demonstrate no-budget fx like the head smash and the arm rip!

Did I mention the theater is a bar, too?!

Two crazy movies plus Lloyd Kaufman for $5. Such a deal. Let's pack the place and get rowdy!

Northern Lights Theater Pub, 3893 Commercial St. SE in Salem, Oregon. Directions, menu and beer & wine list at www.northernlightstheaterpub.com

WE ARE THE STRANGE

Filmmaker Chris Sharpe (SEX MACHINE) turned me on to this flick which I have yet to see, however judging from the trailer and clips I have seen this is one hell of a trippy and groovy flick. It's also somewhat in line of what I plan on for the sci-fi project of mine, but not as surreal.

Check out the trailer below and go over to the website for more info. Also be check out the filmmaker M Dot Strange's view on having a "torrentical" release following the trailer below.

INDIE MAVERICK

Over at Microcinemascene there was this article posted about another open-community based investor website called Indie Maverick, a UK based company. But the twist here is that it's aimed at us the indie moviemaker. The premise is that you sign-up and post some details about your film and your projected budget. Then investors sign-up and invest whatever dollar amount they so choose into your film.

When the budget is met, Indie Maverick contacts you to see if you are indeed legit and then they notify the investors and from there you go through some more hoops and loops to get the money needed for your project.

In return Indie Maverick seems like it will try to distro your flick (I am unclear on that point), make a trailer, a limited-edition DVD, and all of that jazz and you get a 70/30 split (70 for you and 30 for the distro/investors) with investors being paid on a timely schedule. Really I am just paraphrasing the whole process. The full details of how to do this can be found here.

Now this is really a cool idea. There is a immense amount of potential to be had here. Yet I am not so sure about the whole Indie Maverick taking your flick to distro, especially for a 70/30 split.

Not only that, but some of the budgets versus the actual project seem unrealistic. In fact alot of these flicks seem to be a bit talky to be. It may be the Arkoff in me, but I would not invest in most of the films I see on the site. What does everyone think about this new site?

WHEN IN DOUBT JUST COPY

Apparently the distributor behind Bill Plympton and his cartoons is also cranking out Pixar-esque and other mainstream Hollywood flicks ala ASYLUM and their mockbusters. A few of these trailers remind me of VEGGIE TALES for some reason. Anyway, enjoy some of these trailers while they are still online. (via Waxy.org)

BTW, I would've posted the trailers here for easier enjoyment, however the distro has disabled the embed links.

· Ratatoing (Trailer: WMV · YouTube)

· The Little Cars (Trailer: WMV · YouTube)

· Gladiformers (Trailer: WMV · YouTube)

· Little Bee (Trailer: WMV

BLOOD, BOOBS, BEAST

I'm still on holiday vacation of sorts. In fact I have a serious head cold, so don't expect much this week. However I felt that I had to share this:

As you may recall, 2006 was the year that filmmaker/producer and former Cinemagic founder Don Dohler had left the building to the great beyond. It's a absence that I believe is still felt throughout the indie filmmaking world. But guess what? It turns out that there is a documentary based on Dohler and the old adage, "blood, boob, beast." Check out the trailer below and the Myspace page for the full scoop. (Who knew that J.J. Abrams was part of Dohler history?) Stay weird!