Hi Gang,
I'm sick as a dog and my computer is caput but you can't keep a good Lovecraftian horror down. Here's a quick video update so you can see what I mean.
Hey Everyone, sorry this update is overdue. I try to put one out at least once a month but the workload overtook me and I got behind on a few things. Here's the a video with me updating you, and I'll put some bullet points afterwards.
The irony is that not even a full hour after this video was recorded, my computer died on me again. Don't worry, we'll get it up and running for the home stretch. I'm going to name it Lazarus, it's come back from the dead so many times. Derek says my computer "has the voodoo."
Video Bullet Points:
The movie is edited and we're working on VFX and sound design right now.
There's a BTS for The Quantum Terror on the way for IndieGoGo supporters.
Shortly after that, there will be a new trailer.
By the way, I mentioned working for studioADI for one of my two day jobs. It's a dream come true and my bosses are amazing. They're celebrating their 30th anniversary as a special effects company in 2018 and are rolling out some amazing things. Their 20th Century Fox (now Disney I guess) approved Aliens art pieces are amazing. Click HERE if you want to buy one of them. I'll post some photos below. Also, be sure to sign up for their newsletter, here: http://eepurl.com/c1Vncr
Here's another video of Christopher Moonlight (me) rambling about the goings on of the last month, since the last update. There's some insight on my upcoming projects as well as my new job working for studioADI... but let's finish this movie, first.
Here's a couple of photos from studioADI. They've got a terrific new newsletter that you need to sign up for if you love creature effects. I can't say what yet but there are going to be some jaw dropping announcements coming from them, soon. Click HERE for that.
Okay everyone, sorry for all of these rough video updates but things will be back on track once I've finished this big move.
By the way, here is the Neville Page interview I was talking about. I'll also include my interview with Odd Studio, who did the effects for Alien: Covenant, below that. Enjoy.
I've been busy with moving the production from Texas to California, so I only really have time to give you an update in a video. Sorry in advance for the poor quality. Please, leave questions or comments below.
It's time for a very special honest and heartfelt update for The Quantum Terror movie.
First of all I want to thank everyone for being so patient with me. I
see a lot of indie film makers crank out a film within a year or even
several short films in that amount of time. I've actually see some of my actors and crew go shoot and release other projects entirely after working on this one,
but there's a reason that this one has taken so long. I won't go into
it too much, but I'll say that I knew I was taking on a lot when I
started and although I still have no doubt that I can achieve it, I
admit that I did not anticipate the physical and emotionally challenging
toll it would take with me as I drew closer to the finish line. Now, at
this point you're maybe thinking, "Oh no, does Christopher have some
bad news he's about to tell us?" No. The answer to that is defiantly no.
In fact, I'm hoping to have a picture lock by the end of the weekend.
(That's Christopher speak for middle of next week.) It's just that
because you guys have been there for me through this for so long and
given so much of yourself, I want to be strait with you about what this
movie is, at this point, right now.
The past couple of months
have been the most challenging and taxing. Partly because I'm moving
back to California in July and I want to have this movie done before
then. Between feeling that deadline, having to pack, take care of my
kids, and starting a Patreon page in the
hopes to supplement my income a little bit, I admit that the stress got
to me a bit and I lost focus. I did what I could, figuring out some VFX
problems and shooting stop motion, but I was a bit all over the place
and things were not going as smoothly as they could. I was getting tired
a little too easily and I was also dealing with some other external
problems that I won't go into. Then I found that some of my footage for
the second act was missing. Whether it got deleted or we forgot to shoot
it in all the madness, I don't know. Fortunately, they were not large
or crucial scenes and with a little time away to think on it, I figured
out how to work around them. The film was running long, as it was.
Anyway, I'll cut this short and just say that what I thought was going
to be just another project turned into one of the most humbling but
kickings I've ever had... but it didn't beat me and now we're very close
to having a film. There is still a lot of work to be done before July,
though. After edit is locked I have some serious VFX work to crank out
and our master of audio Derek will have his work cut out for him, too. My God, once this
move has some sound and score to it, it's going to be amazing. I really
believe that. And then of course I will be fulfilling the rest of my Indiegogo
obligations, figuring out the final details of self distribution, advertising,
and everything else that comes with it. I still plan to work with Paul
Dubiel on the "making of" documentary, and plan to release a black and
white version of the film, and a "raw" version showing the film as it is
with storyboards, shots without VFX, and commentary.
I could go on and on,
but I'll just say this one last thing. I think this movie is good. I
could be wrong but from where I'm sitting, everything I planned, all the
effects and editing tricks, all the sets and miniatures, it all works
how I intended. I look at what we've done and I feel excited. I held this project to a very high standard and I think we met it. I feel proud and I
can't wait for you all to sit down and watch this film, from beginning
to end. You are a part of that and I'm very grateful to you.
Thank you so much
Greeting from the quantum dimensions. Just a
quick update for you all. Not too much to report so I'm going to make it
a fun one. Things are moving along quite well with post production. I'm
afraid I don't have a firm release date for you all yet, as we are
really focusing on quality over expediency, but you won't be
disappointed in the results.
Our composer and master of sound
Derek J. Hunt is doing some amazing work at the moment. You "Voice of
Evil" contributors will be excited to know what we are finally getting
to your contribution to our film's creepy audio. There are a couple of
you who still haven't sent in your voice files though, so if you're
having any problems, please let me know as we can only wait for so long.
Make-Up Effects Group's own Paul Katte is doing an
amazing job lending a hand with the visual effects. I'm continually
blown away as he is putting in the same level of quality into the work
that he has in other project he's contributed to. That includes films
like The Matrix, The Hobbit, Wolverine, Childhood's End, & Double
Vision. Have you checked out their You Tube channel? You Really should.
Your brain will melt from the awesomeness.
Hey, do you
love practical effects? Of course you do, otherwise you wouldn't be
here. As you probably know, I'm a big fan of the Alien franchise and am
eagerly awaiting the release of ALIEN: Covenant. Since April 26th as
ALIEN DAY I decided to spend a few hours putting together a tutorial on
how to make your own miniature Xenomorph egg, using all those leftover
plastic Easter eggs.
I
also thought it would be fun to share this old video parody of
Harbinger Down (now on Netflix) I made, when I was helping studioADI promote their
Kickstarter for it. (You can watch it on Netflix, right now.) What can I say? I'm a family man and am
always looking for ways to spend more time with my daughters.
I
hope you enjoyed those. Thank you for hanging in there with us. I
promise, The Quantum Terror is almost here. I'll be back with another
update, very soon.
Well, I hope everyone had a very nice Easter or if you're not of a mind for chocolate eggs, a nice month so far. I've made a new video update for you all, giving a rundown of what's been happening with our movie, as well as some other exciting news, but if you don't feel like watching then just check out the notes below.
Editing The Quantum Terror is coming along well, although it is probably the most labor intensive task for me, when it comes to making a film. That's probably because I don't have my cast and crew with me at this point in the process, backing me up and making me look good.
I do have a some great help, though. Composer Derek J. Hunt is not only creating amazing music for our film but is also managing sound design, bringing the quality of our production up to a whole new level.
In addition to that, I'm am very excited to announce that Make-Up Effects Group co-founder Paul Katte has joined in to bring his own brand of artistry to the VFX team. He and his partner Nick Nicolaou (pictured above on another project) are better known for their practical effects work, but true talent knows no bounds and I am truly overwhelmed that Paul has agreed to take part in this production. I mean, just check out their show reel!
The Matrix? The Hobbit? Childhood's End? Wolverine? How did I get the combined talent of both MEG, on top of studioADI on our little film? I honestly don't know, but I feel super lucky. I've also had the pleasure of interviewing them in the past on my practical effects podcast show The Practical People...
...which brings me to my next announcement. If you didn't know I have an entire first season of The Practical People under my belt, filled with interviews with some of the best PFX artists in the business, that you can listen to by clicking HERE on You Tube or HERE on Vid.me. After a long hiatus I will be "soft starting" season 2 in the coming weeks, and then slowly rolling out more through the summer, when the film is finished and I have more time. MEG will be our first guest and then I will bring you fresh interviews from both new and return guests.
Please, be sure to also find my show on Facebook by clicking HERE.
It is my intention after the release of The Quantum Terror to continue to produce content in the form of more interviews, tutorials, feature films, and other artistic content. If the demand keeps up I will finance this endeavor via Patrion or some other subscription service. I'm still researching the possibilities and trying to figure out if the demand will be there.
That's why I want to hear from you. Do you want this kind of content? If I do start a Patreon account, what kind of products would entice you to subscribe? Would you like to see more in depth video tutorials? How about one of a kind hand made miniature creatures? Are you interested in original artwork or limited addition prints? Maybe, there's something I'm not thinking of that you'd like to see me provide. Please, let me know through this blog or my other social media, provided in the links below. I'd love your input.
Last but not least, I want to address another Lovecraftian, Indiegogo funded, horror movie called The Void that just came out via VOD. It's a cool little low budget flick and bears a lot of similarities to our movie. Indeed if you watch it before The Quantum Terror you can see that we drew from very similar sources. I'm not worried about this. You can't do a Lovecraftian film and not hit Lovecraftian notes. I've been working on this movie for over two years now and can say with confidence that although some imagery will be strikingly similar, The Quantum Terror takes things in an entirely different direction. Besides, the movie has been in the can for a while now. There's no going back to change it. I think the two movies can exist side by side as a testament to how differently people can react to an individual idea or ideology.
It's (past) update time again. It has been non stop over here at The Quantum Terror movie, post production headquarters, but you deserve an update. There's not really much to tell. We are deep into editing right now with sound and VFX work about to begin, too. Again, we'd like to have the movie out in the month of May, but as far as when in May or even if we'll make that deadline, we can't be sure.
The thing is, we want this movie to be the best quality it can be. That means that I don't just slap together an edit and call it done. As of now, the first half of the movie is edited and has been sent off to our executive producer James Hudnell and producer Doug Mayfield of Mesmer Films for critique. We're also getting notes from director of photography Anthony Gutierrez, head of effects Jenna Green, and of course our master of sound and music Derek J. Hunt.
I personally want to say to all who supported this film, that my deepest desire is for all involved to feel good about having contributed to it. That means that when the movie comes out it will be the best it can possibly be, everyone has received their pledge rewards, and no one feels like they were slighted, ignored, or let down.
A few notes on pledge rewards. Again, scripts, downloads, and credits can of course not be given out until after the movie's release. I am still missing a couple of "Voice Of Evil" recordings. If you have not recorded yours for any reason or are having difficulty getting it to me, please let me know. It's been a long time coming but we are finally about to integrate your work into our film. We've had a little trouble with shipping with our T-shirt printer. Please, bear with us. If you have one coming as a reward they will be on their way soon. Very sorry for the extended wait, but thank you so much for being so gracious and patient.
Here's a few things to keep you tied over while you wait. Kristin Cochell was recently interviewed for IdolFeatures.com. You can read it by CLICKING HERE.
I had a fun moment where Quantum Terror actor Val Mayerik, who also happens to be an amazing artist and co-creator of Howard The Duck, drew a rather crazed looking portrait of yours truly.
I like it.
You may also like having a look at this title card, which I can't say what it's for just yet, created by our logo designer David Paul. David is also a very talented writer for his own brand Bad Halo Comix.
Meanwhile, in between editing sessions I've been doing some fun sketches of the creatures that may or may not (due to budget restrictions) be appearing in The Quantum Terror. (at least two of them do)
We're deeeeeeeeeeep into editing The Quantum Terror right now, with 22 minuets and 55 seconds of the movie completed in it's rough form. That means no color grading, sound mix, or VFX yet, but there is a watchable movie, there. We're really excited about that. Things are shaping up rather well and while I'm keeping my nose to the grindstone, I wanted to come up for air and let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you.
While you wait, check out this great new interview from MorbidlyBeautiful.com with Quantum Terror star Paula Solinger, as part of their Deadly Beauty: Scream Queens & Rising Talents series. CLICK HERE to read it. We're very proud of her.
I also wanted to take you behind the scenes of another aspect of our film, which is production design. The Pipe Lion smoke shop, in Kyle, TX was a major contributor to our film, opting to go for our product placement pledge reward. We came to their store and shot a scene, but at the time they were without signage for their store, so we made them a new one.
I like to think that we go above and beyond for our contributors, whenever possible. Look for this sign in the movie.
Well, I hate to post and run, but it's time to finish up this film, so it's back to work for me.
I thought I'd do something a bid different this
time, something a little more personal and human, instead of the usual
behind the scenes stuff. In this video, I talk about the future of our
film, as well as my feelings in regards to what it all means and where I
want to go next.
