Comments on: And now, for the first time, we are bringing to you… http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/ Meh. I've seen worse. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:15:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Nathan Shumate http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6536 Nathan Shumate Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:04:17 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6536 Thanks, Read. The check's in the mail. Thanks, Read. The check’s in the mail.

]]> By: Read MacGuirtose http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6535 Read MacGuirtose Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:45:18 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6535 Mr. Kahler, I don't think the general response here has been one of ripping apart your movie. Some of the comments have been quite positive about the idea of a serious remake of <I>Plan 9 From Outer Space</I>. Others, not so much, but you've gotta expect not everyone would be crazy about the idea. Now, granted, there were some pretty negative comments about your movie, mostly based on the "trailer"... but the thing is, if the trailer is about the only thing readily available about your movie, it stands to reason that's what it'll be judged by (until more information becomes available). Now, it may very well be that that "trailer" was just a "throw-together fx exercise", as you said, and doesn't fairly reflect on the quality of the movie as a whole... but people aren't going to know that by looking at it, and it's not realistic to expect that everyone is going to contact you directly to ask you about it before commenting. (Anyway, don't take the comments here too hard, even the ones that <I>were</i> negative about your project. If you'll read some of the other threads here, you'll see that this sort of thing isn't generally meant maliciously, and that the commenters are sometimes almost as wont to make fun of each other as about B-movies... it's all in good fun.) I understand where you're coming from; I've been involved with or am slated to be involved with a number of low-budget independent movies myself as an actor (including, in fact, a remake of a notorious B-movie... not as notorious as <I>Plan 9</I>, but then what is?), and I have ambitions to make movies of my own, so I'm definitely sympathetic to your cause, and I honestly do wish you success. I just think you're being a little hard on the commenters here with some of your phraseology. Believe me, if there's anywhere people are going to give your movie a shot, it's here, some of the negative comments notwithstanding—you'd be surprised some of the movies the B-Masters have given a shot to. All that being said, thanks for dropping by and giving more information about <I>Grave Robbers From Outer Space</I>. Good luck with postproduction, and hope everything goes well for you. (Incidentally, I suppose I should say for the record, if you're not familiar with the site, that I am not one of the B-Masters, nor in any way a designated representative; I'm just an occasional poster here, and nothing that I say in this post or elsewhere should be construed as reflecting their official viewpoint...) Mr. Kahler, I don’t think the general response here has been one of ripping apart your movie. Some of the comments have been quite positive about the idea of a serious remake of Plan 9 From Outer Space. Others, not so much, but you’ve gotta expect not everyone would be crazy about the idea. Now, granted, there were some pretty negative comments about your movie, mostly based on the “trailer”… but the thing is, if the trailer is about the only thing readily available about your movie, it stands to reason that’s what it’ll be judged by (until more information becomes available). Now, it may very well be that that “trailer” was just a “throw-together fx exercise”, as you said, and doesn’t fairly reflect on the quality of the movie as a whole… but people aren’t going to know that by looking at it, and it’s not realistic to expect that everyone is going to contact you directly to ask you about it before commenting. (Anyway, don’t take the comments here too hard, even the ones that were negative about your project. If you’ll read some of the other threads here, you’ll see that this sort of thing isn’t generally meant maliciously, and that the commenters are sometimes almost as wont to make fun of each other as about B-movies… it’s all in good fun.)

I understand where you’re coming from; I’ve been involved with or am slated to be involved with a number of low-budget independent movies myself as an actor (including, in fact, a remake of a notorious B-movie… not as notorious as Plan 9, but then what is?), and I have ambitions to make movies of my own, so I’m definitely sympathetic to your cause, and I honestly do wish you success. I just think you’re being a little hard on the commenters here with some of your phraseology. Believe me, if there’s anywhere people are going to give your movie a shot, it’s here, some of the negative comments notwithstanding—you’d be surprised some of the movies the B-Masters have given a shot to.

All that being said, thanks for dropping by and giving more information about Grave Robbers From Outer Space. Good luck with postproduction, and hope everything goes well for you.

(Incidentally, I suppose I should say for the record, if you’re not familiar with the site, that I am not one of the B-Masters, nor in any way a designated representative; I’m just an occasional poster here, and nothing that I say in this post or elsewhere should be construed as reflecting their official viewpoint…)

]]> By: Christopher Kahler http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6508 Christopher Kahler Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:38:36 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6508 Since nobody bothered to ask directly, I'll answer some of your questions about 'Grave Robbers' here. The trailer was just a throw together fx exercise that ended up all over the internet within 24 hours so it was pointless to remove it by then. I was working on the invisible look for a space pod (ala 'Predator') which would explain why it can be sitting in a cemetery unnoticed unlike the original film. It is definitely not a true representation of the finished film in any way. Production began in May. Rather than have a Bunny Breckinbridge rolling his eyes and mugging for the camera, our Ruler is beamed via hologram across the galaxy. Footage of this had to be done first for the CGI guys to begin work on spaceship interiors while the rest of the movie is shot. One of our CGI guys headed up the GM department of design for nearly 20 years, did most of the rendering for 'Poseidon' and has a line of advanced instructional DVDs on his work alone. The other has done design on practically every 3D game in every bar you've been in for the last 10 years or so. I might still look young, but I'm no teenager doing this with Flash LOL We have people in from 3 different states covering the 7 different story arcs in the movie so everyone's availability often puts weeks of downtime into the shoot. I use that time to edit and work on the score. Even if we had the budget to pull people away from their day jobs for a stretch at a time, most of the actors are involved with other productions. It just makes more sense to wait on the people that were cast specifically for each role rather than recast and start the process all over again. Yes, there are most of the characters and many references to the original that fans will catch. Unfortunately we're not going for a campy movie that's badly done so we can say "Get it ? We screwed up so it's like Ed Wood !". Home movies like that need to stay home, not sold on Amazon as some sort of badge of ineptitude. No, there is no Criswell narration. If my actors aren't dead and in reusable stock footage, nor playing mute, I see no need for narration to explain what's going on to viewers. Again, this isn't meant to be camp. There's nothing funny about post 9/11 invasion, recession, epidemic, or the breakdown of the traditional family unit. All of these are very real and very modern. They also play a large role in the storyline since these things are what really scare people now. No, there is no solarbonite bomb, death rays, or running teenage zombies in Black Sabbath t-shirts either. Why the remake at all then ? The characters and elements are there already. Unlike trying to "reboot a franchise", injecting some life into a poorly executed standalone movie makes more sense. Spaceships and zombies are fun stuff, so why not ? Ed Wood's estate loves the idea of it. Fans can go either way. I personally hate most remakes, but there's always 'The Thing', 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', 'Dawn of the Dead' or a few others that actually are enjoyable on their own merit. Nobody has seen much outside a few still pics and people who have watched scenes loved it. Worst case scenario for me is I do an even worse job at remaking "The Worst Movie Ever Made" which I'd never get to live down if I make a dozen Academy Award winners. Just give it a shot before you rip it apart and ask questions if you want to know something. CK Since nobody bothered to ask directly, I’ll answer some of your questions about ‘Grave Robbers’ here.
The trailer was just a throw together fx exercise that ended up all over the internet within 24 hours so it was pointless to remove it by then. I was working on the invisible look for a space pod (ala ‘Predator’) which would explain why it can be sitting in a cemetery unnoticed unlike the original film. It is definitely not a true representation of the finished film in any way.
Production began in May. Rather than have a Bunny Breckinbridge rolling his eyes and mugging for the camera, our Ruler is beamed via hologram across the galaxy. Footage of this had to be done first for the CGI guys to begin work on spaceship interiors while the rest of the movie is shot. One of our CGI guys headed up the GM department of design for nearly 20 years, did most of the rendering for ‘Poseidon’ and has a line of advanced instructional DVDs on his work alone. The other has done design on practically every 3D game in every bar you’ve been in for the last 10 years or so. I might still look young, but I’m no teenager doing this with Flash LOL
We have people in from 3 different states covering the 7 different story arcs in the movie so everyone’s availability often puts weeks of downtime into the shoot. I use that time to edit and work on the score. Even if we had the budget to pull people away from their day jobs for a stretch at a time, most of the actors are involved with other productions. It just makes more sense to wait on the people that were cast specifically for each role rather than recast and start the process all over again.
Yes, there are most of the characters and many references to the original that fans will catch. Unfortunately we’re not going for a campy movie that’s badly done so we can say “Get it ? We screwed up so it’s like Ed Wood !”. Home movies like that need to stay home, not sold on Amazon as some sort of badge of ineptitude.
No, there is no Criswell narration. If my actors aren’t dead and in reusable stock footage, nor playing mute, I see no need for narration to explain what’s going on to viewers. Again, this isn’t meant to be camp. There’s nothing funny about post 9/11 invasion, recession, epidemic, or the breakdown of the traditional family unit. All of these are very real and very modern. They also play a large role in the storyline since these things are what really scare people now.
No, there is no solarbonite bomb, death rays, or running teenage zombies in Black Sabbath t-shirts either.
Why the remake at all then ? The characters and elements are there already. Unlike trying to “reboot a franchise”, injecting some life into a poorly executed standalone movie makes more sense. Spaceships and zombies are fun stuff, so why not ? Ed Wood’s estate loves the idea of it. Fans can go either way. I personally hate most remakes, but there’s always ‘The Thing’, ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’, ‘Dawn of the Dead’ or a few others that actually are enjoyable on their own merit.
Nobody has seen much outside a few still pics and people who have watched scenes loved it. Worst case scenario for me is I do an even worse job at remaking “The Worst Movie Ever Made” which I’d never get to live down if I make a dozen Academy Award winners. Just give it a shot before you rip it apart and ask questions if you want to know something.
CK

]]> By: Bryan http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6503 Bryan Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:28:08 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6503 I hope that there is more to the movie than what is shown in the trailer, otherwise it is just a zombie movie. It may be a good zombie movie, but still just a zombie movie. If there are more plot elements from the original I would be pleased. The trailer is geared towards younger people and non-B movie fans. We'll see. I hope that there is more to the movie than what is shown in the trailer, otherwise it is just a zombie movie. It may be a good zombie movie, but still just a zombie movie. If there are more plot elements from the original I would be pleased. The trailer is geared towards younger people and non-B movie fans. We’ll see.

]]> By: Blake http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6459 Blake Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:41:57 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6459 I've only seen the original once and I believe it was this year or late last year when I did. I'm actually kind of looking forward to both. I’ve only seen the original once and I believe it was this year or late last year when I did. I’m actually kind of looking forward to both.

]]> By: Nathan Shumate http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6458 Nathan Shumate Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:20:02 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6458 "No blood for sunlight!" “No blood for sunlight!”

]]> By: El Santo http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6457 El Santo Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:16:01 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6457 I wonder if this version (or <I>Grave Robbers from Outer Space</I>, for that matter) will retain the solarmanite reaction as the motive force for the plot. I wonder if this version (or Grave Robbers from Outer Space, for that matter) will retain the solarmanite reaction as the motive force for the plot.

]]> By: Bill Cunningham http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6456 Bill Cunningham Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:44:44 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6456 I realize I'm probably in the minority here but I thought the Criswell monologue coming out of a classic radio was just enough of a wink to the original to pass muster. If someone came into the kitchen and shut the radio off and said to whoever was listening, "Why do you listen to that crap?" and then the story moved on with a serious take on the idea of an alien invasion during a storm that uses the living dead (did I just type that?) ... Well, I for one would watch that movie. I realize I’m probably in the minority here but I thought the Criswell monologue coming out of a classic radio was just enough of a wink to the original to pass muster.

If someone came into the kitchen and shut the radio off and said to whoever was listening, “Why do you listen to that crap?” and then the story moved on with a serious take on the idea of an alien invasion during a storm that uses the living dead (did I just type that?) …

Well, I for one would watch that movie.

]]> By: Braineater http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6455 Braineater Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:55:35 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6455 <cite><a href="http://www.braineater.com/undead.html" rel="nofollow">Undead</a></cite> was an independent production, done as a labor of love by people with real talent, vision and commitment. If the folks behind <cite>Plan 9</cite> can bring an equal amount of talent, vision and commitment to adapting Ed Wood's original, then hey — more power to them. The trailer, though, isn't raising my expectations any. After all, Luke, it reeks of New Zombie Movie #2367 (this year) with a thin veneer of <cite>Plan 9</cite> over the top. All the things that endear the original to a certain audience (of which I am absolutely not a member) seem to be intentionally excluded from this version, so... what's the point? I think I'll stay home and watch <cite>Pontypool</cite> again instead. Undead was an independent production, done as a labor of love by people with real talent, vision and commitment. If the folks behind Plan 9 can bring an equal amount of talent, vision and commitment to adapting Ed Wood’s original, then hey — more power to them.

The trailer, though, isn’t raising my expectations any. After all, Luke, it reeks of New Zombie Movie #2367 (this year) with a thin veneer of Plan 9 over the top. All the things that endear the original to a certain audience (of which I am absolutely not a member) seem to be intentionally excluded from this version, so… what’s the point?

I think I’ll stay home and watch Pontypool again instead.

]]> By: Luke Blanchard http://www.b-masters.com/2009/09/10/and-now-for-the-first-time-we-are-bringing-to-you/comment-page-1/#comment-6454 Luke Blanchard Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:51:38 +0000 http://www.b-masters.com/?p=1784#comment-6454 Zombies and aliens-wise, I enjoyed what I caught of the Australian film Undead from 2003. It has a streak of dark humour. Zombies and aliens-wise, I enjoyed what I caught of the Australian film Undead from 2003. It has a streak of dark humour.

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