Deadlands 2: Trapped Work Print Status

[DjfunkmasterG]

Thanks MZ... I am finishing DEAD 2, I am actually working on it now. I decided to hold a screening this coming weekend for what we have filmed. The only items missing are the major zombie attack in the city, which was supposed to be filmed this coming weekend but a problem arose preventing us from shooting this weekend. I have almost everything shot in the theater assembled, I still need to capture 2 tapes yet, but for the most part the theater stuff is pretty much done. I have been sitting here watching the film for the past two days, and I am actually shocked at how dark in overall tone this film is, I mean it is giving me the creeps.

[clanglee]

I have been sitting here watching the film for the past two days, and I am actually shocked at how dark in overall tone this film is, I mean it is giving me the creeps. But that's a good thing tho. . right?

[DjfunkmasterG]

****! I'm stunned things have left such a bad taste in your mouth regarding the industry Neil, If I told you half the **** they wanted us to do it would make you cry. They don't want to make good zombie films, they wanna make popcorn fodder, which I refuse to do. I was on the phone with them today and I said if this re-write gets done we are changing the tone of the film to extremely dark and forboding. If you don't like it then piss off and let someone else pick it up. No offense, but I don't want to make Land of the Dead, Romero has already done it, and I quite frankly hated the popcorn feel of that flick. I want something as Dark as the original Day with the epic overtones of the original DAWN. If they choose not to make that film... so be it, but at least I won't have compromised my principals on the matter, nor will I sell out to just get a film made. Surprisingly, many people think I am nuts for turning down the last studio offer which was budgeted at nearly $10,000,000.00. However, I did it because I didn't want to make that kind of movie. I don't care if they cut the budget n half, just let me make a dark, and terrorfying zombie horror film. But that's a good thing tho. . right? Yes it is Clang... Its funny, I spent less on this than I did on Dead 1, yet the films are like Night and Day. When I wrote this film I was trying to aim for a mixture of the dialog from Die Hard... meets the zombie horror of all my favorite zombie films. I did get some of that Die Hard tone in there, but the film came out much darker than I anticipated. I think this is either going to be a bigger hit than Dead 1, or it is going to tank because of how dark it the tone of the film is while it plays. I have noticed some more pacing issues, which I just can't fix at the moment. they aren't slow boring points, just spots where it feels the film jumped ahead quicker than it should have... I am actually going to have another editor do a pass on this once I am done to see if it is something we can fix.

[Neil]

I am actually going to have another editor do a pass on this once I am done to see if it is something we can fix. Yeh, I suppose other people opinions, who might not be 'in so close' to it can always be useful...

[MinionZombie]

Yeh, I suppose other people opinions, who might not be 'in so close' to it can always be useful... Agreed, I've found that myself, and have been that person myself as well on previous projects. It's also an arguing point I've had - working on a short film and somebody is obsessed with some minute detail that MUST GO, but I point out that we're looking at the film so insanely CLOSE UP, meanwhile when people actually watch it, that'll be it most likely. One viewing and they'll never notice it in a million years. Anyway, getting off on a tangent there. Deej, not to start something , but I'd say the Dawn remake is waaaaay more of a popcorn flick than Land, way more. But that's me. Anyway - I totally dig the idea of 'dark like Day, big like Dawn' - that would be a nifty zed flick I say. Also, I think people can handle a dark zombie flick - most zed fans have seen Day of the Dead - and that movie is pretty dark, so I think people can handle it. Also, with the TV they watch, shows like 24 go to really dark places, so I think people are totally capable of it - ESPECIALLY in the times we are living in today. Think about it, Night of the Living Dead was quite dark at the time - and that time was Vietnam. Now here we all are in the era of 9/11, and again horror is getting dark ... perhaps it's gone a bit more for the "torture porn" (I do hate that term ) vibe, but horror has gone for the gut and the head, rather than the belly and the funny bone in recent years. My point being - I think people will totally dig the dark vibe of Dead 2, and indeed Dead 3. Indeed, you hear 10 million and you think "holy sh*t!", but to be honest, the bigger the budget the more compromises ... so I totally understand your position, and good on you for fighting your corner and sticking by the intent - in the end, that WILL pay off. I think once Dead 2 is out, it'll be a success, and that will give you more bargaining power.

[DjfunkmasterG]

While I don't doubt most zed fans can handle a dark film, I also look at the general audience. Lets say hard core zed fans make up 1-2% of the audience. Horror fans make up about 45%, the rest is your typical disaster flick lover, whether it be horror or sci-fi. Keep in mind most of those films are usually tame in comparison to most horror films, however, most horror films today aren't very dark. They try to be scary, but are honestly just a waste of time. Plus what I consider dark, the next guy wouldn't. See I envision as zombie infested world as being completely lawless, which we already know it will be, but keep this in mind. Only the strong are going to survive, and with no law and order, look at what will be roaming the streets... other than the zombies. Think of all those murderers and rapists and full blown whack jobs running loose on the streets, add a few million zombies, then sprinkle in a few people just trying to stay alive and find some place safe. At some point, those looking for safety, and those looking to cash-in on the fact no one is going to catch them are going to cross paths... what do you think will happen? That is what I wanted to explore in Dead 3. My original draft was a pretty dark script, then Lonnie came along and brightened it up a bit, giving a lot of depth to the characters, when I did start a re-write I went completely off the deep end, and went to the darkest spots in my mind and put it all on paper.

[MinionZombie]

Think of all those murderers and rapists and full blown whack jobs running loose on the streets, add a few million zombies, then sprinkle in a few people just trying to stay alive and find some place safe. At some point, those looking for safety, and those looking to cash-in on the fact no one is going to catch them are going to cross paths... what do you think will happen? That is what I wanted to explore in Dead 3. My original draft was a pretty dark script, then Lonnie came along and brightened it up a bit, giving a lot of depth to the characters, when I did start a re-write I went completely off the deep end, and went to the darkest spots in my mind and put it all on paper. Sounds like a good movie to me - and most importantly - sounds like no other zed flick out there in terms of what it's dealing with.

[DjfunkmasterG]

In Trapped News. The rough edit looks to be clocking in at 91 minutes with end credits. That is also compensating for sequences not yet shot, but that is about the running time I wanted for the film. I started some of the Temporary score work, otherwise it is pretty much a waiting game at this point. Holding another screening this weekend at the theater for the cast & crew to see it.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Well the first official rough cut screening on the big screen has been completed. Although some of the footage is still not edited together, and the sound mix was all over the place. I showed 70 minutes of footage that is together for everyone. Jim Krut, our beloved helicopter zombie, loved it, he was completely impressed and blown away by what he has seen. He also agreed to do some additional shooting with us to add some more stuff with his character. For those of you that don't know, Jim Krut joined the cast in October 2007, and is one of the main characters in the film. JIm came aboard for food and a hotel stay while shooting. Jim is actually a very talented individual, he does acting in his spare time in Gettysburg for their performing arts theater. Anyone wishing to work with Jim in the future, I highly recommend it. The man gives you 150% About 14 were present for the screening of the rough cut mostly cast & crew including some of the financiers. Executive Producer Phil Green asked if I needed any more money to put into the film, and I told him I think we are good for now. He was impressed as well. All in all everyone either liked it or loved it, all said the same thing, it is miles ahead of Deadlands 1. They couldn't believe the difference between the two films. Everyone also commented on how dark the tone of the film is overall. Brian (LouCipherr) said after the screening..."Man, That is a dark film, the vibe is just creepy" Michelle Wright, his wife, and actress from the first Deadlands was also present, she has a cameo in the film. She was creeped out. It seems from the discussion after the film that everyone feels the Dream sequence is just one of the creepiest elements of the movie. Everyone was dead silent and frozen during this sequence of the film. After watching their reactions, and hearing them talk about it, I think that sequence will be for Trapped, what the Traffic Jam sequence is for Deadlands: The Rising. Everyone talks about that being the focal piece of Dead 1, so I can forsee this dream sequence being the most talked about element of this film. I won't lie, it freaks me out everytime I watch it. It is one of the more eerier moments of the film, and really is set to throw the viewer right over the edge. Even watching it tonight, which is the 300 or 400th time I have watched the rough cut of the film as I edit it, I was getting goose bumps. So, I guess I did my job. Anyway, Lou promised to jump on and give a few words about the film. I am sure he will log in sometime tomorrow (Sunday) and say his piece. I predict to have the film completed by October 1st. MZ will get the very first copy of the film so he can write the review for HPotD, HPotD will get the first exclusive copy, then it will goto H-M.CA, and Dead Pit. The big question is film festivals... Well, I decided to not enter Trapped into any festivals in 2008. I am going to concentrate on 2009 festivals only. However, there is one festival in Queens NY I may hold a non competition screening at in November. This was set up through my agent and once more details are available I will bring them to you ASAP. Well it is 3:00am in the morning and I need to get my fat ass into bed. I have to start working on the end of the film, and the films audio mix. Night Dj

[Neil]

Good stuff !!

[MinionZombie]

MZ will get the very first copy of the film so he can write the review for HPotD Schweeeeeeeeeeet!!! I'll gladly pimp a review for it, and I can't wait to see it ... and now I really wanna see this dream sequence is about, hehe.

[Kaos]

Great news, Gary! Can't wait to purchase my copy when it is released.

[capncnut]

Glad you got it done, man. I shall stand in the queue and await all the bloody juiciness.

[DjfunkmasterG]

Won't be much longer now... 3 more months at the longest. BTW, Lou has posted his thoughts ont he rough cut.

[capncnut]

Won't be much longer now... 3 more months at the longest. Looking forward to it, Gary. Are there any rough stats on the movie? Such as final running time, etc. Edit: Sorry, re-read your earlier post. Silly me.