More Giant Monster And Alien Mayhem From SyFy

Source: NBC / Universal

Now that mega pythons and gatoroids have been tamed, the survival of the planet is threatened by a murderous giant sculpture and rampaging escaped aliens in the February Syfy Saturday Original Movies.

In Iron Invader, premiering Saturday, February 12, at 9PM (ET/PT), a meteorite crawling with space bacteria crash lands in a junkyard. The unusual combination of alien bugs and Earth garbage brings a huge metalwork to life. The ungrateful Iron Invader then goes on a killing spree. The movie stars Kavan Smith (Eureka, Red: Werewolf Hunter). Nicole de Boer (Dead Zone, Stargate: Atlantis) and Donnelly Rhodes (Battlestar Galactica, Tron: Legacy). Iron Invader is a production of Cinetel.

Directed by Jason Connery -- Sean Connery’s son -- Area 51 premieres Saturday, February 26, at 9PM (ET/PT). In the movie, the Air Force decides to allow a few reporters into the most secretive base on the planet, Area 51, but the visit turns into violent mayhem when one of the captive aliens leads an escape. Area 51 stars Bruce Boxleitner (Tron: Legacy, Babylon 5), John Shea (Lois & Clark: The Adventures of Superman, Mutant X) and Jason London (Dazed and Confused, MonsterWolf). A production of After Dark Films.

See Also: Its Debbie Gibson vs Tiffany (Oops) I Mean Mega Python Vs Gatoroid On SyFy / DESTINATION TRUTH Goes "Live" On St. Patrick’s Day / SyFy To Go Werewolf Crazy In October / The Return Of SyFy's CAPRICA Moved Up To October / THE CHEETAH WHORES Score A Hit For SHARKTOPUS And SyFy

MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES - Presented By THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Presented by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council.

Hosted by Academy Award-nominated effects artist Shane Mahan.

“It’s a perfect night for mystery and horror. The very air itself is filled with monsters.” – Elsa Lanchester as Mary Shelley in “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935)

Special effects makeup artist and on-set animatronic effects supervisor Shane Mahan hosts an evening exploring the evolution of creature technology in feature films and the fundamental role it plays in shaping monster movies.

Film clips will trace the evolution of creature technology, from “King Kong” (1933), “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954), “Horror of Dracula” (1958), “One Million Years B.C.” (1966), “Planet of the Apes” (1968), “The Exorcist” (1973), “An American Werewolf in London” (1981), “Aliens” (1986) and “Jurassic Park” (1993) through the digital age of “Zathura: A Space Adventure” (2005) and “King Kong” (2005).

The evening will include conversations with some of the films’ creative teams who will discuss the role art and technology play in shaping creature design in feature films. Check back for panelist updates.

Complementing the presentation will be a lobby display of historic and contemporary artifacts used to create the visually stunning effects for a range of aliens and creatures from classic monster movies.

Find Out More

See Also: Universal Monsters Select - Creature from Black Lagoon Figure / Creature From The Black Lagoon - Plush Doll - Hot New Toys! / Former Creature From The Black Lagoon Director Says Remake On Hold / Mark And Brian Gunn To Write MONSTER SQUAD Remake / Halcyon International Pictures Teams Up With Famous Monsters Of Filmland To Reboot Classic Universal Horrors / Famous Monsters To Bring Back The Creature, The Mummy, Frankenstein And Others To The Silver Screen? / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2009 / Universal Courting Carl Erik Rinsch To Direct "Creature From The Black Lagoon" / What Does Youtube Have Against The "Creature From The Black Lagoon"? / More Ultra-Rare Items From Classic Horror, Sci Fi And Monster Films Go On The Auction Block / Creature From The Black Lagoon - Funko Force Figure / Creature From The Black Lagoon Autographed 8x10 Photo By Julie Adams And Ricou Browning / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Gets A Bad-Ass Makeover? / Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical Opens At Universal Studios Hollywood / Gort And The Creature From The Black Lagoon Go To High School in "Go Mutants!" / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical / King Kong, Godzilla And The Creature From The Black Lagoon At The Rose Parade / The Most Talked About Stories Of 2008 / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2008 / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon - Update! / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Witch's Dungeon 40 Years Of Chills An Amazing Tribute To The Golden Age Of Horror / Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Creature No Longer Walks Among Us - Ben Chapman (1928 - 2008) / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Polystone Diorama / Universal Monsters Creature From The Black Lagoon Head Knocker

Celluloid Philosophers - Klaatu

"I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you."

- Klaatu (Michael Rennie) - The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

See Also: Celluloid Philosophers - Robert And William Shatner (Imaginary) / Celluloid Philosophers - Hexina / Celluloid Philosophers - Kirk, Spock And McCoy / Celluloid Philosophers - Major T. J. "King" Kong / Celluloid Philosophers - Elvira / Celluloid Philosophers - Varla / Celluloid Philosophers - The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy / Celluloid Philosophers - Ash / Celluloid Philosophers - Shaun / Celluloid Philosophers - Spock / Celluloid Philosophers - Jack Burton

Gort And The Creature From The Black Lagoon Go To High School in "Go Mutants!" / The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)(20th Century Fox) / Keanu Reeves - Taking On The Iconic Role Of Klaatu / The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)(20th Century Fox) / Klaatu Escapes!! / UFO Lands On Earth!! / Jennifer Connelly - An Abundance Of Talent Can Make The Earth Stand Still / The Day The Earth Stood Still - About The Production / The First Photos From The Day The Earth Stood Still / A New Promotional Banner For The Day The Earth Stood Still

James Cameron Had To Apologize To H. R. Giger Over ALIENS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Letters of Note

Yesterday I posted a story featuring a memo from Paramount about actors that the studio was considering for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that I found on a wonderful blog called "Letters of Note".

Today, I decided to 'browse' the site once more, and I can across a real gem from James Cameron, where the film maker eats a real slice of 'humble pie' in regards to his use of H.R. Giger's creation in the hit film "Aliens".

It seems that Cameron figured that since Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox had used the artist's creation in the classic scifi/horror film "Alien" that he wouldn't have to worry about a copyright issues when it came to making any potential sequels. That, however, wasn't the case, at least in Giger's eyes anyway. It seems that the artist was a bit 'bent-out-of-shape' by the fact that Cameron didn't inform him that he was going to use the design again in another film.

Apparently Giger was so upset by this, that he had his lawyer right Cameron a 'nasty-gram' to let him know about it.

In response, the film maker composed this rather classy, and honest, letter to Giger's representation, a Leslie Barany, explaining that in the haste of putting the movie together, he and his staff just plain forgot to contact the artist about using his monster design in yet another movie.

Basically, Cameron figured that if it was cool to use the design in "Alien", then certainly it would be okay to just keep on using it in "Aliens".

Well, we all know what happens when we assume? Right?

Anyway, Giger and his attorney didn't go after Cameron for damages. They just wanted a 'heads-up' next time.

Here is a transcript of the letter, along with a copy of the real thing:

AMERICAN GOTHIC PRODUCTIONS, INC.

February 13, 1987

Mr. Leslie Barany
[redacted]
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Barany:

I regret that the intense pressure to complete "ALIENS" did not afford me the time to reply to your letter of 3/11/86, which was on behalf of your client, Mr. H.R. Giger.

In that letter you describe Mr. Giger's 'initial sense of disappointment' at not being contacted for "ALIENS" in view of his, quite correct, intense sense of authorship of the creatures and designs. Ironically, it was the production design of "ALIEN", with its bizarre, psycho-sexual landscape of the subconscious as created by Mr. Giger, that initially attracted me to the project of a sequel. However, having been a production designer myself before becoming a director, I felt I had to put my own unique stamp on the project. Otherwise, it would have had little meaning for me a that point in my career, when I had a number of original concepts and creations which I could have pursued, with equal financial reward and an even greater degree of authorship.

I found that creating a sequel can be an uneasy exercise in balancing creative impulses, the desire to create a whole new canvas, with the need to pay proper hommage to the original. Mr. Giger's visual stamp was so powerful and pervasive in "ALIEN" (a major contributor to its success, I believe) that I felt the risk of being overwhelmed by him and his world, if we had brought him into a production where in a sense, he had more reason to be there than I did.

Because 20th Century Fox liked the story I presented to them, they gave me the opportunity to create the world I had seen in my mind as I wrote. I took that opportunity, and enlisted the aid of special effects designers, sculptors and technicians with whom I had worked before which, of course, is a natural course when one must guarantee a schedule and budget.

An additional deciding factor was Mr. Giger's conflicting involvement in "POLTERGEIST II" which unfortunately did not utilize his vision nearly as well as "ALIEN".

I offer all this commentary by way of apology and explanation in the hope that Mr. Giger can find it possible to forgive me for abducting his 'first-born'. If so, there may come a time when we can collaborate in mutual respect on some completely new and original project where the only limitation is his superb imagination.

I am, first and always, a fan of his work (a signed litho of the alien egg commissioned during "ALIEN" is one of my prized possessions).

Sincerely,

(Signed)

JAMES F. CAMERON

JC:lw



See Also: Alien Prequel Coming At Ya In 3D! / Monster Uber Geekdome- Ultraman Collages, Playing Cards & Alien vs Pooh / Aliens - Classic Alien Warrior 7-Inch Action Figure / Sigourney Weaver Has No Interest In Alien Prequel / Sigourney Weaver Is Ready For Another Encounter With Aliens / Dark Horse Resurrecting Alien And Predator Comic Book Titles / Aliens vs Predator Requiem (2007)

Daleks The Greatest Monsters Ever? Proof Positive That The Brits Don't Know Their Creatures

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: SFX Magazine

You have to give the fans over in the UK a lot of credit. They have helped to turn the long-running sci fi series "Doctor Who" into a national treasure. They support fantasy series based on character and plot development over ones with razzle-dazzle special effects, and they 'get' a lot of sci fi stuff that gets 'lost' on American audiences (like Babylon 5 for example).

I should also note for the record that three of the top sci fi/fantasy television series in the world right now, those being "Doctor Who", "Torchwood" and "Being Human" are produced in the UK.

Yes, they sure know and love their sci fi over on that side of the Atlantic, but when it comes to monsters, well that's where the Brits seem to get a little 'lost'.

Let me explain.

In a recent poll put on by the UK fantasy entertainment magazine SFX the fans in the UK voted the Daleks (from Doctor Who) as their "Favourite Monster, Supernatural Beings or Fantasy Creature".

That should really come as no surprise, due to the fact that the Daleks, like the series they come from, "Doctor Who" is so beloved in it's native country.

Fair enough, but let's take a look at the rest of the list:

Behind those nasty trash cans bent on universal domination are -

2 Lorne (Angel)
3 Aliens (The Alien franchise)
4 Death (Discworld)
5 Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings)
6 The Shadows (Babylon 5)
7 Gizmo (Gremlins)
8 The Thing (The Thing)
9 Aslan (The Chronicles Of Narnia)
10 Predators (The Predators franchise)
11 The Borg (Star Trek)
12 Pilot (Farscape)
13 The Cybermen (Doctor Who)
14 Godzilla (Godzilla)
15 Ludo (Labyrinth)
16 Pinhead (Hellraiser)
17 Nibbler (Futurama)
18 The Great Dragon (Merlin)
19 Frankenstein’s Monster (Frankenstein)
20 Slimer (Ghostbusters)

Now, that's a very interesting list, don't you think?

Now, the parameters of this poll were that the 'monsters' could be either from movies or TV, literature, mythology, or the paranormal realm.

Here's what is missing from the list, and would certainly be on a list compiled by US fans:

Dracula, The Wolfman, Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Klingon's, King Kong, Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster (and she's a local gal in the UK) The Yeti, The Raptors from Jurassic Park, Chewbacca, The Cylons, The Mummy, Grey Aliens and a lot of other creatures that aren't coming to mind right now.

Now, I should point out that in 2005 SFX published their own list of top monsters, which had some odd entries in it to, like "Audrey II" from "Little Shop of Horrors" and the Rancor and Sarlacc from "Return of the Jedi", but overall was a little more 'right on' when it came to movie monsters.

The top three there = 3. Godzilla 2. The Thing 1. Alien(s)

Okay, you won't get any arguments outta me for either "Godzilla" or "Alien", but "The Thing" (the John Carpenter movie version not the superhero from Fantastic 4)? WTF?

Oh, and let me state for the record that the monsters from "Jedi" are cool, but not two of the greatest movie monsters ever.

In the end, I really don't think that the fans over in the UK get monsters, or really understand them. I honestly got a good feel for this back in the late 90s when UK fans used to repeatedly bash me for being a "Godzilla" fan on MSN groups.

Actually, I'm kinda surprised that they have seemed to have warmed up to the monster over the past decade, after the razzing I used to take.

You also have to admit that the UK hasn't produced very many good 'original' movie monsters. I mean "Gorgo" was good, but then there are the awful "Konga" and "Queen Kong" on the opposite side of the spectrum.

They did make a couple of good dinosaur films over in the UK back in the 70s, plus the Hammer horror films were great, so I don't understand the fans in the UK have such a different (I didn't say bad) take on monsters.

Different strokes for different folks I guess?

"Audrey II"? Really ...... wow, that one still gets me.

Don't Loose Your Head Over The SPACE BUGS Infestation

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Jesse Blanchard / Robert Hood / Avery Guerra

It has been said over a billion times, if you ever want to be really good at something, you need to practice, practice, practice.

If you want to be good at football? You need to practice. If you want to be good at baseball? You need to practice. A good writer? Practice. Painter? Practice.

Practice, practice, practice ....... okay, I know you all get it.

But, what do you do if you want to be a better movie maker?

You can't exactly go out and make a movie every day. That costs a lot of money.

Do you film your wife, or life partner, doing naughty things with a handi-cam?

No, um ....... well, maybe, but film makers never really talk about that stuff. No, you make short films in preparation for filming the 'really big one'.

Well, at least that's what you do if you a film maker with as long a list of credentials as Jesse Blanchard, who has made over 43 films in eight years including the documentary, and film festival fave, "The Ranch", and one of George Romero's favorite zombie flicks, "Run For Your Life."

The 'big one' that is looming just over the horizon for Blanchard is the 3D monster film "Chompers 3D", but in preparation, practice if you will, he has just completed the short film, "Space Bugs", a great little sci fi/horror about alien insects that come to Earth to feed on people, and cause their heads to pop like a ripe pimple.

I know ...... eeeeewwwww!

Here Blanchard gives us a little history on how "Space Bugs" came to be:

Mutant Bugs attack Portland, Oregon. A young girl rushes home to warn her husband. Will she get there in time?

The original idea for Space Bugs was a ticking time bomb that shoots down from space and latches onto someone’s arm. The Hero then spends the next three minutes running through total chaos trying to get the thing off of him. However, I couldn’t connect with a 3D person to do the effects I wanted. So, I tweaked the idea into Space Bugs so that I could produce the bugs without any 3D work.

Originally, I was going to use LED lights for the bugs. I ordered a whole bunch from China and got heaps of hearing-aid batteries to power them. I was really excited about this approach and planned on throwing them past the camera and pulling them around on wires. But, another failure. The LEDs were not bright enough. I could either see them or light the set and see my actors. So, back to the drawing board.

Eventually, I ended up using a whole bunch of tricks including homemade ooze covered light bulbs, flares, flashlights, and one shot with LEDs.

The Bugs’ point-of-view shots were a ‘homage’ (rip-off) of Sam Raimi’s monster cam from the Evil Dead series. I tried to one up him by mounting the camera on a board two storeys in the air. This end shot flying into the house took a long time to get right. And I’m certain the neighbors were a little confused seeing me running over and over again at a house with my camera on top of a 16ft board.

I made Space Bugs completely on my own including all of the writing, shooting, editing, and effects. I’m practicing for my next feature Chompers 3D which will be much more ambitious, much more fun, and whole lot scarier.

Here is the finished product:



And here are some concept drawings of the "Space Bugs":