Raiders and Tintin

Don't forget this is the 30th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
One of my best memories is seeing a sneak preview at the old Crest cinema in San Bernardino a couple of months before the general release. The Crest was the theater in which the original King Kong was tested before an audience in 1933, so there was some stellar adventure history there to begin with. I attended the Raiders sneak with my dad and there were only three other people in the theater, one of them a guy in my filmmaking club. Spielberg's last film had been 1941, his major (and only, I think) flop, and they were being rather close to vest with this movie. We knew from the rolling stone ball moment that this was gonna be a great movie. I remember driving my friends crazy with urging them to go see this movie. I still watch it once or twice a year.

It's fitting that Spielberg is releasing The Adventures of Tintin this year, and it looks like a lot of fun. I am usually opposed to CGI-reliant movies, that is I really dislike when CGI serves as primary image during action moments when live action would have fit better. However, if the entire movie is CGI, that can be OK because it's simply the latest form of animation. I have always liked Sky Captain, for example, because it was promoted as a digital-set and location movie and it looked good. Anyway, I think the best uses for CGI are these: to be used as matte paintings were originally used, to enhance visuals in a subtle way; and when the visual style of the material is so unique or recognizably part of its success that it would actually disappoint to see depicted any other way. This is the category in which falls The Adventures of Tintin.

Herge's Tintin has a distinct look that is a primary reason people recognize it instantly. To merely put actors in costume just wouldn't do the movie justice. Remember the Popeye movie with Robin Williams? Doing Tintin all CGI is the only way to go. Check out the trailer, if you haven't seen it, and I think you'll agree. I'm really looking forward to The Adventures of Tintin...

More to follow...

Comic Con 2011

Once again, LCL will be represented at the San Diego International Comic Con, starting in just a little over a month from now. This will be the seventh year I have attended with my entourage, and the fourth year attending as a professional in the publishing industry and media.

In 2004, Hollywood had already invaded, but since then its imprint has grown a bit exponentially. This has generally been received with mixed review for the comics enthusiasts see an encroachment on their event that was never intended. However, the explosive interest Hollywood has given to comic book characters has indeed been a boon to the comics industry. Still it remains a double-edged sword for many. As far as the Comic Con is concerned, the down side is the crowding. Also, why are television shows like The Office represented at a convention primarily founded upon a comic book theme with a heavy support from fantasy and horror and adventure media? Another legitimate gripe is the heavier presence of the gaming industry each year. Many argue they should have their own con, as many argue that Hollywood should simply establish a new movie or 'media' con. The worst example of the Hollywood impact on the San Diego Comic Con resulted from last year's Twilight event which resulted in thousands of die-hard comic and fantasy fan attendees not able to obtain tickets because thousands of teen girls had scooped them up early for a one hour event on one day of the Con. A Hollywood event promoting a non-comic movie sequel preventing thousands who would have attended all four days (or at least two) pissed off a lot of people. Add to that this year's new draconian ticket policies for professional attendees and you have even more dissatisfaction with an event other cities are already aggressively seeking to take away from San Diego.

I hope San Diego makes the necessary changes to improve the situation and keep the Comic Con. Anaheim wants it badly and many of us think the Hollywood influence will seduce the Con administrators to move it closer to L.A., which would suck. Like myself, I know many attendees who would not go to the event if it moved to Anaheim. It just wouldn't be the same and it would be even more Hollywood, being closer to the studios and their personnel. Who knows? Many of us publishers and writers might get bumped so that more badges could be given to movie industry folks. Regardless of this bit of aggravation, I know we will have a good time. I will attend with a smaller entourage this year, but that's better than not going.
I must caveat that with the possibility that this could be the last year we go in a capacity other than directly promoting a media project, a la Secret of the Amazon Queen next year.
As we draw nearer to the Con, I'll be making more comments here. I like to put the word out that any LCL readers and fans are welcome to join us downtown in the evenings. Last year we met up with a couple of LCL readers, and the year before with an LCL friend from Germany. We can be found at Tilted Kilt or Hooters or some Con night event.
More to follow...

SECRET OF THE AMAZON QUEEN Movie Update

Yes, it is still true! I will be directing the film adaptation of the E.A.Guest novel from LCL. Barron Entertainment and Lost Amazon Motion Pictures are the producers...

Presently, the producers at Barron have me directing a documentary this summer. SOTAQ will begin pre-production simultaneously, specifically storyboarding and production art, as well as costume design. As that progresses, I will post samples here to give you a peek. The documentary is being produced for festival and cable distribution then DVD. The producer has a relationship with HBO so cross your fingers it appears there!

SOTAQ will be filmed on a sound stage in San Diego, on location in Louisiana (Yes, believe it or not there are jungles there that look like South America!), and B roll will be shot in Peru or Brazil. I am also excited to reveal that we will be shooting practical visual effects -- that means miniatures, NOT CGI! Actually, there will be some CGI, but only to enhance certain visuals, not to serve as primary imagery. My casting director and I have begun a list of casting targets -- and you'll recognize names on that list.

I will share one little secret: Several months back, I met with a particular actress who is causing quite a stir in a blockbuster comedy currently playing in theaters. A role in SOTAQ has been enhanced especially for her and she loves the script! She wants to be in the movie and her agent/manager wants her to do the movie. When we ink the deal with her, I'll reveal who it is...

For those who have read the book, the movie is clearly the same basic tale but with a few changes. First, in order to keep the budget under control, a major subplot from the book has been replaced. I am VERY pleased with this change. Also, the period has been updated just a tad: the movie will take place in 1909 and have a real steampunk flavor, in certain regards. Yes, there will be airships and biplanes! With those come a couple of cameos you may find amusing...

I don't want to say too much right now, but keep checking in here. I will be posting more regularly!

LCL Is BACK! With New Low Prices!

Hey all!

I've been away doing other projects but I am back!

LCL Publishing has gone ALL DIGITAL! What does that mean? Well, all new and prior releases are primarily available at Amazon.com in Kindle format, with bestselling titles becoming available in print-on-demand. If you do not have a Kindle Reader device, no worries -- you do NOT have to buy one. Amazon lets you download the Kindle Reader program for FREE so that you can enjoy Kindle books on your own PC, iPad, laptop or whatever device is your preference. FREE! That means you can read Kindle books without spending money for yet another device.

So, out of respect to the reader in these tough times, LCL is continuing to march on into the future by REDUCING PRICES of our titles -- in ALL our imprints -- to stay in line with the market place. Check out the NEW LOW PRICES available NOW:

WONDER OF THE WORLDS by Sesh Heri -- 99 cents!
METAMORPHOSIS by Sesh Heri -- $4.99
THE LOST PLEIAD by Sesh Heri -- $3.99
FLIGHT OF THE HERCULES
by Richard Senate -- 99 cents!
TROPIC OF DESPAIR
by E.A. Guest & F Marion Crawford -- 99 cents!

Also the NEW novel from Walter Bosley
(LCL's top selling title this spring)
I WILL SEE YOU IN TIME -- $3.99

Look for MORE exciting new titles to come!

I can't tell you how excited I am with this new approach. Our books have taken off at Amazon Kindle, selling better than ever before. if there's any of the above titles you haven't read yet, please check it out at Amazon.

Look for more regular posts here as there is much excitement happening at LCL. The feature film of E.A.Guest's SECRET OF THE AMAZON QUEEN is being produced by Barron Entertainment and will go into production later this year!

More to follow...

New LCL Magazine!

It took me nearly a year, but I finally got around to it!

STEAM magazine

Click to the left of the word FOR...

Recent Paracast Apperance

Hey all, I recently got to sit in with Mike Mott, Chris O'Brien, Allen Greenfield and Mike Clelland on Gene's Paracast...

Cryptoterrestrials

Frazetta

Frank Frazetta died today at 82.

The man had no equal.