Response to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' foretelling the death of studios, movie tickets costing $150, and the flourishing of indiefilms.

You can read the article here, and share what you think.

The implosion is correct, although I would quicker say bankrupt, because nobody is paying $150 a ticket when they can download.  The indiefilms will save Hollywood, just like Blackploitations did in the 70's (it's true).  With all the people turned down by production companies, they are just rounding up their friends, and doing it anyway.

The #1 reason Hollywood is in trouble is because they are disconnected from the people, and are flat out scared to collaborate with new writers who can deliver fresh ideas, but may need a little help with structure.  Help them to bring it out, don't shut the door on them.   The movies they select out of the pile only follow worn-out trends. I don't want to see any more vampires for 10 years.

And what in the world did they do to the zombies in World War Z?  This had better be good.

Rather than revitalizing that relationship they'd rather suck on the book-to-movie tit, who already has a following.  Problem with that is, "books are geared for reading and imagining".   When will that well run dry?  When will the true fans of the franchise get tired of their books being massacred by film?  Also, what does that say about the movie industry, when they can't produce their own stories from within?  We're now on Alien 6, Terminator 5,  Indiana Jones 5, Underworld 5, Fast and Furious 6

As a writer, I'm now told that I need to write a graphic novel, or comic book, or short animation and build a fan base before they'll look at me.  I'm 100% sure my story will light you up, but they are scared of it.  And guess what, there is a long line of artist that have great stories.  So the problem isn't the lack of material, the problem is their inability to filter that material and bring it in.

With Fox Searchlight getting sued, you can bet they are tightening up even more on any mentoring possibilities.  Internships dropped by 400.  Most industry pros started off as interns, fetching cables, light bulbs etc.

That's what our movie legends did.

But, they DO have to get a handle on these films being leaked to other countries with few pirating laws.  Ironic because, Americans are broke (and deeply critical on movies), so they deeply rely on foreign market to boost sales, but those markets can totally steal and share with little repercussion.  I almost feel like it's sabotage, the ease that they are able to do it.

About the "THIS" vs. "THAT" Action, Sci-Fi genre

One thing I have to say about your typical "THIS vs. THAT" action sci-fi genres, is that it already has an established market.  People pay good money to see just a good ole action movie.  Everything from Underworld, Blade, to Expendables all fit into this category.  What ultimately decides if a movie will be well received (or not) has to do with the types of elements you put into it.  

As I said in my last post, with your typical vampire movie, the audience already walks in with 40% of the knowledge already, so you have to present something that will allow the audience to explore, use their imagination, and follow the story long after the movie is over.  How you do that depends on your ability to pull from your wacky mind and put together a world of curiosity.  The Matrix put a man in a computer grid, so did Tron: Legacy; one did better than the other, but both were rather enjoyable, and both allowed the audience to follow the story long after it was over.

In today's age, originality is more about the recipe, rather than the ingredients.  A lot of our predecessors have laid down the proper ingredients, but now it's time to explore all the wonders of what you can do with them.  Some people may like their movie souffléd, or sauteed or with a pinch of paprika.  Others, well, just plain old salt, pepper, with a splash of lemon.  The question becomes, what will stick to the ribs?

I believe Reclamation will not only open the world of nightmare creatures, but it will give us a history to explore, as well as an art form.  Each creature harbors a unique background, carrying with it a uniques set of strengths and weaknesses.  In the overall demon hierarchy, vampires and werewolves rank pretty low.  A poltergeist is nothing compared to other supernatural things that exist.  With all this at or fingertips:

Where do we start?  

What are our limits?  

How deep does it go?

Mulciber complete, now all is left is a paint job

Just got the latest photos for our elite demon character, Mulciber, and I must say that it always leaves me wanting more.  A very addictive process, creating a mythical character and watching it slowly come to life.  It's a great feeling, to contribute with something like this.  Now only if we can get a buyer.

ABOUT THE SCRIPT
Okay so, the script is being reviewed as we speak, so I'm crossing my fingers in hopes that the production companies will see the value of this project.  I understand that being a vanguard is risky, but if it was easy everyone would do it.   Let's not pretend that THIS is not where the Sci-fi, Action genre needs to go.


SAME OLD SOUP, JUST REHEATED
I saw a movie on Netflix called "Vampire Dog".  It's about a vampire Jack Russell Terrier.  I think I'll just stop right there, as I think this proves how exhausted the vampire genre really is right now, yet it keeps popping up.  Now we have "Vamps", another Dracula movie in the making, Underworld in it's final stretch, and God knows what else.

My biggest gripe about the vampire Action genre, is that the audience already knows 40% of the movie just in hearing the word "vampire".  We know they need blood, they can't go out in the day, wooden or silver stake to the heart,  yadda yadda yadda.   Not to mention that all the movies that revitalized the vampire genre were done 12 or so years ago (Blade, Underworld).  We've had 10+ years of pure vampire mania,  yet we get surprised when movies like "Priest" gets bad reviews.  Twilight no exception.  Even though it was still able to capitalize on it's book following, the movies lacked substance.

 BOX OFFICE SALES ≠ GOOD MOVIE.
 People take what they can get, because they love movies that much.  For the moment there are the book/comic-to-film adaptations, but as original fans get pissed off (at the movie massacre of the book), and everyone saw their Marvel/DC characters on screen, eventually that well will run dry, and they won't be able to sustain the market with a 5th remake of Spiderman.

WE NEED A RENAISSANCE
New creatures to explore; new strengths, weaknesses; but most of all....new history.  Something that can be savored for the next 34 years, like Alien (today being it's 34 year anniversary).  We just had "Prometheus" and pretty soon Alien 6.  What then?????

Sorry for the brief sabbatical...I had to take care of the revisions for Reclamation.  But I have something more pertinent....Look at the first stages of Mulciber, general of the demon legion.

 Something to think about with Mulciber.  He's ultimate combatant, and unreal balance between martial science and animal prowess.   If his opponent is unworthy, he is compelled to reveal it to them before killing them.

A worthy opponent however, he likes to savor the moment, absorbing the fight, trading attacks like philosophers would   trade ideas.

When you think about him, try to think about how a demon general would fight if confined in a human's body.  What would the ULTIMATE martial artist look like to a demon?  What boundaries would it bend?  Likely the superior version Kung Fu, only why would a demon such as him need to worry about all the extra blocking.  A 1 or 2 block maximum, definitely counter attacks. Probably would tear through the average human for even blocking his attack.

Much love to Green Lantern Corporation for sending me this interview. More to come. 

Whatever happens, I want you all to know that I do it for you.  For all of us late 70/early 80's and 90's kids. I remember being a kid and having such a crazy imagination, only to now grow up and see things rehashed and remade from our classics. Not to say that there will not be any similarities, but it's our time now to show the world that we too are crazy twisted in the head, and can come up with a different spin on things. A lot of things left to try, and we don't need to be on "medication" to do it. We're high on the 80's man.              

 - Romeal W. -

I would like to thank Mamboso.net (NUYORICAN) for spreading some love on Reclamation. Much appreciated.  If you would like to see more pictures of NYCC 2012 definitely go to:

http://www.mamboso.net/nuyorican/2012/10/12/ny-comic-con-2012-opens/

NY Comic-Con 2012

Me and my illustrator Adrian Barbu

Just got back from the New York Comic-Con 2012, and I am very tired.  Throat groggly, slight head ache, feet sore; cost of doing battle right?  A ll this talk about networking and elevator pitches from my current job at career services, has served me well.

The first day was decent.  It wasn't as swarmed, which actually is pretty good given that people will have time to spend at your table.  We got there early enough to see all the booths before the mob arrived.  People seemed to be very impressed with the work, and got quite a few takers.

Right around 4pm, the swarm hit. If you walked amongst them, you barely had any room to navigate.  Given my football past, I was able to effectively utilized my lead blocker and fancy footwork.  There were lots of creative costumes, despite the fact that there were 500 Spidermans, 300 Jokers, and a gazzilion Harlequins.  You'll occasionally get something different, which can go either way.

The next day was a blur.  There were so many people I just sought refuge in my booth, the only place they couldn't go, although some tried.  My sculptures seemed to get a lot of attention.  To my surprised, the Juvenile Demon got tons of looks, even people a bit terrified of it...it was great.

Oh and don't even think about leaving the booth, as seen here....

Saturday was a slow day for us.  Lots of traffic, very few takers.  It was so crowded, people mostly focused on keeping the line moving and not stopping at the booth.  Good thing I wasn't in middle of all the action. Was even a little bummed about it, but oh well, met a lot of cool people, though.  Tried to take a venture or two, just to see what I was missing...which was a lot.

We're in the final stretch.  Sunday went out with a bag and the comicrazies didn't disappoint.  Was very active this day, and even got an interview from Sirius Radio :), will post this ASAP.

All in all, It was a great event.