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November 27, 2002
Despite Delays, Work on TMITM Continues
Although our efforts at private fundraising have fallen short, production efforts continue. While still pursuing certain private funding avenues, Stormfront Films is now seeking to partner with established production companies to bring The Man In The Machine to the screen. We are also seeking sponsorship and product placement opportunities from technology firms.
The past several months have seen Director Thunder Levin turn his attention to the completion of the mega-budget epic science fiction screenplay he has been developing for the past ten years and writing with collaborator George Saunders for the past three. This summer they completed a final rewrite of the script and began the process of securing representation. Several agents and managers have expressed interest, and the project should be submitted to the studios and major production companies just after New Year's.
Meanwhile, Producer Doug Nabors pursued career opportunities at Paramount Pictures. While his level of involvement in the reorganized production remains uncertain, he nevertheless remains steadfast in his commitment to bringing The Man In The Machine to fruition.
We remain confident that the film will commence production in the early summer of 2003 in Flagstaff, AZ.
October 17 , 2001
New Visual Effects Producer
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Emmy winner Ronald B.
Moore!
We're more pleased than we can say to announce that Ron Moore, the multiple Emmy Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor of all the STAR TREK series from "Next Generation" to "Enterprise", and numerous Hollywood blockbusters, has joined the team! Ron will oversee our ambitious visual effects, ensuring that the work of visual effects company Horsehead Nebula, freelance CG artists, and the on-set special effects team are up to the highest of Hollywood standards, while maintaining our independent film budget. He will also help attract experienced and up-and-coming visual effects professionals to the project. His vast experience and extensive industry contacts makes Ron one of the most valuable members of our team.
For Ron's bio, click here.
September 23, 2001
New Concept Illustrations
Two new Coneptual Illustrations from artist Robert Moore have been added to the Design Art Page. These depict moments later in the film and now provide us with illustrations spanning the length of the story.
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| The Robot reads poetry. |
Matt
& Jenny attack the Robot.
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September 19, 2001
Shaunda Grace Jones -
New Casting Director
We are pleased to announce that Shaunda Jones has taken over the critical position of Casting Director, and is already moving forward to secure the stars that will bring our characters to life. Shaunda has over ten years experience in Casting and contacts throughout the industry. She has already proven an invaluable addition to the staff of TMITM and we look forward to working with her and announcing cast commitments in the near future.
Mark Sikes has left the project to direct a short film of his own, and we wish him great success.
August 24, 2001
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In mid-July,
Producer Doug
Nabors, Director Thunder
Levin and Concept Designer Dylan
Cole
travelled to Flagstaff, AZ to do preliminary location scouting. Amongst
the lava flows of Sunset Crater National Park and National Forest,
the other-worldly locales of The Man In The Machine are clearly evident.
While in Flagstaff, our interpid band of adventurers photographed
and videotaped likely shooting locations and met with local production
expert P.J. Connelly and Chief Park Ranger Kim Watson, who turned
out to be a science fiction fan! Both seemed eager and willing to
help bring the production to their area. And the Producers thank them
for their support.
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| Several areas were discovered which inspired Thunder to write new scenes or change the setting for existing scenes, to take advantage of unique or dramatic locales. Chief amongst these was a vast cinder lake which will house a dark menace that threatens the film's heroes. |  |
Preliminary Visual Effects will be composited into some of the video footage shot on location to provide the production team with a rough idea of the final appearance of the alien planet.
June 23, 2001
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Producer
Doug
Nabors and Director Thunder
Levin recently visited Panavision Hollywood for a hands-on
demo of the new Sony/Panavision Digital Cinema Camera. This
24 frames-per-second hi-definition format provides the look,
feel, and quality of traditional 35mm motion picture film
in a completely digital medium. Mr. Levin commented that "comparing
this to what we traditionally think of as digital video is
like comparing apples to oranges that have been left out in
the sun for a couple of weeks!".
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Mr.
Nabors, who had initially been skeptical, became a true believer
after viewing the test footage shot by Star
Wars Episode II cinematographer David Tatersall as a prelude
to utilizing this system for next summer's entry in George
Lucas' epic saga. This CineAlta system is the most
likely choice for shooting The Man In The Machine, as having
the original footage in a digital medium will allow the incorporation
of digital visual effects directly, bypassing the very expensive
process of scanning film into a computer frame by frame. It
will also allow the fimmakers to digitally alter the "look"
of the entire film, to further convey the sense that the story
is taking place on an alien planet, under the light of an
alien sun.
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March
22, 2001
Douglas Nabors, Our New Producer!
We're extremely pleased to announce that we have been fortunate enough to convince Douglas Nabors to become the new Producer of The Man In The Machine! Doug was one of the very first people contacted about producing when the project began. At the time, despite his enthusiasm for the script, his other commitments prevented him from accepting. Now, with greater flexibility in his schedule and an even greater enthusiam for independent film, Doug has joined the team. He brings with him significant experience, talent, connections, and drive in a surprisingly youthful package. We're delighted to be working with him and believe we are a huge step closer to bringing The Man In The Machine to a theater near you!
Aaron Rattner has left the project in order to become CEO of the new video game company, Barsoom Studios. We wish him well.
March 3, 2001
TMITM Goes to AFM
Director Thunder Levin attended the American Film Market last week with promotional materials to generate interest in the film and explore the possibility of a co-production with existing film companies. AFM is the premiere sales market for American independent films to the rest of the world. Hundreds of distribution companies gather in the Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica to offer their product in a week-long frenzy of film buying and selling. This was the ideal opportunity to judge which production & distribution companies would be most suited to bringing The Man In The Machine to market, and which might be most interested in doing so. Thunder met with executives from a number of companies who expressed interest, and scheduled conversations with a dozen others for after the market. Arranging a co-production or advance distribution deal for the film would hasten production, most likely eliminate the need for additional private investors, and provide the possibility of completing principal photography before the impending Screen Actors Guild strike in July.
The brochure below, developed by Thunder and Concept Designer Dylan Cole, was the principal selling tool, and seemed to succeed in arousing the interest of most who saw it.
December
18, 2000
New Design Art
This new digital painting by Concept Designer Dylan Cole shows an evening view of the compound. As the sun sets, the sickly yellow sky of this uncharted planet gives way and the twin moons cast a greenish glow over the solitary home of the Robot for the past 100 years.
November 22,
2000
"SoulMates"
Finally Released!
Thunder Levin's first feature, "SoulMates" starring Tristan Rogers, Arabella Holzbog and Tyrone Power, Jr. , has finally been released on home video under the new title "EVIL LIVES". Dawn Wells (Maryann on Gilligan's Island) and Paul Bartel have cameo roles. The film was written by Jim Hankins and Adam Winston. The title was changed because several films called "SoulMates" have been released in the years since the film was produced.
While this low budget movie was made quite some time ago and is by no means the best example of Mr. Levin's work, he is nonetheless gratified that it will finally be available to American audiences. It was previously distributed only in the international markets. The video is distributed by A-PIX Entertainment and features a striking white on white box. It is available at the Hollywood Video chain and other home video outlets.
November 7, 2000
Mark Sikes begins Casting
Process.
We're pleased to announce one of the most critical additions to our team and the begninning of what may be the most important phase of PreProduction: Mark Sikes, a casting director with over nine years experience in film and television has joined the team and has begun approaching actors and their agents for the key lead role of Jenny. Mark, and Director Thunder Levin have compiled a comprehensive list of those performers most appropriate for the three principal roles of Jenny, Matt, and the voice of the Robot. The submission to our first choice for the role of Jenny was made in the past few days. At this point, only internationally recognized stars are being considered for these roles and we would be fortunate to work with any of the talented performers being considered. Submissions for Matt and the voice of the Robot will begin shortly.
August 22, 2000
We're pleased to welcome two film industry professionals to the adventure that is The Man In The Machine. Brian Livesay joins us as Production Designer. He will be responsible for designing all our sets and overseeing their construction, as well as lending a guiding eye to the design of cosutmes, props, and all other physical elements that will be seen on screen. The Production Designer's job is one of the most demanding on a low budget film, since he's required to create before the camera, a world no less believable than those created for mega-million dollar Hollywood blockbusters. Brian will ensure that our sets and Arizona locations transport the audience to the harsh alien world that is so crucial to our story.
We're also pleased to announce that ex-Houston based filmmaker Marq deChambres has joined the effort as Associate Producer. "Q", as he's known in the industry will focus primarily on our casting and fundraising efforts during preproduction. His ability to mingle with the elite of Hollywood and always be in the right place at the right time have already made him a critical member of the team. Once we're in production his experience as an assistant director will prove invaluable to the smooth flow of principal photography.
August 1, 2000
Concept Artist Robert Moore has joined the production staff. Bob's dynamic sketches will provide a feel for the action of the film, as well as the malevolence of the harsh planet and it's lone occupant. Their emotional content brings the story to life during investor presentations and helps communicate the director's vision to the cast & crew.
June 7, 2000
Dylan Cole goes to a Galaxy Far, Far, Away...
Design Director Dylan Cole has been awarded a summer internship in the Matte Department of Lucasfilm Ltd.'s industry-leading visual effects division, Industrial Light & Magic. Dylan will work on background images for the upcoming Star Wars Episode II, which begins shooting this month and is due for release in May 2002. His duties on The Man In The Machine have not been forgotten, however, as he will continue to produce design and conceptual drawings in his free time. We congratulate Dylan on securing this prestigious and much sought-after position, and congratulate ILM on recognizing his innate talent. Although we will suffer from his absence this summer, we're confident we'll reap the rewards of his experience when he returns to the production this fall.
Look for exciting
new announcements in the weeks ahead.
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