Entertainment
Game Companion
Every gamer needs one
Postcard 1 (Source: Brian Morelan)
Postcard4
(Source: Brian Morelan)
(Source: Brian Morelan)
I watched the short film, Game Companion over the weekend and discovered a delightful little film that I hope eventually becomes a full length motion picture. The film reminded me of a what I imagine a mash up of Weird Science and Video Girl Ai might have produced.
The story is written by Brian Morelan and Directed by Jeff James Monson. So what is it all about? Well lets break it down without giving away any real spoilers. As geeks we love to game and this short is about that love of gaming and taking that love to new levels. Imagine that if you mastered a game that you could get yourself a kick-ass companion to help you on your adventures. Now imagine that this companion is a bit more than a simple AI.
The story is written by Brian Morelan and Directed by Jeff James Monson. So what is it all about? Well lets break it down without giving away any real spoilers. As geeks we love to game and this short is about that love of gaming and taking that love to new levels. Imagine that if you mastered a game that you could get yourself a kick-ass companion to help you on your adventures. Now imagine that this companion is a bit more than a simple AI.
Lucky for me I was able to corner Brian Morelan and get him to answer some questions about his awesome little project.
The concept is sound and reminded me alot of Weird Science and Video Girl Ai. What inspired the writing of this story?
I tried to find some common themes in anime and use them in a short film. I wanted some great costumes and I knew cosplayers would probably be the key. When I had a chance meeting with Kari Klyne (a big local cosplayer), who ended up being one of the costume designer for the film, I knew we could make the project.
Ah My Goddess strongly influenced some of the make up and music in the film, though if you look carefully I am sure you can see others.
The concept is sound and reminded me alot of Weird Science and Video Girl Ai. What inspired the writing of this story?
I tried to find some common themes in anime and use them in a short film. I wanted some great costumes and I knew cosplayers would probably be the key. When I had a chance meeting with Kari Klyne (a big local cosplayer), who ended up being one of the costume designer for the film, I knew we could make the project.
Ah My Goddess strongly influenced some of the make up and music in the film, though if you look carefully I am sure you can see others.
In your own words, summarize the film in a single sentence.
Bob´s greatest accomplishment is mastering a video game, earning him a Kimiko a video game companion; while she is impressed her enthusiasm fades.
You already have a solid story. Still I can definitely see potential for further development. Are there any plans to expand this universe?
Everyone is open to continuing the story, but there are currently no plans to do so. If we got approached by some organization I think we would be happy about it. We have a few logistical issues to work out though, the location was Jeff´s apartment and he no longer lives there and sold the couch.
Bob´s greatest accomplishment is mastering a video game, earning him a Kimiko a video game companion; while she is impressed her enthusiasm fades.
You already have a solid story. Still I can definitely see potential for further development. Are there any plans to expand this universe?
Everyone is open to continuing the story, but there are currently no plans to do so. If we got approached by some organization I think we would be happy about it. We have a few logistical issues to work out though, the location was Jeff´s apartment and he no longer lives there and sold the couch.
What kind of budget were you working with?
We had a few thousand dollars to make the film, ate pizza and subway, and packed as much as we could into filming days.
Have you made other films? Anything I have heard of?
We just wrapped filming our sci fi project for next year, with a working title of Mining Moon about a secret agent who works undercover for an illegal arms dealer, charged with locating renegade strong hold in the backdrop of a universe on the brink of civil war. All the main actors from Game Companion are also in this film plus many more.
We had a few thousand dollars to make the film, ate pizza and subway, and packed as much as we could into filming days.
Have you made other films? Anything I have heard of?
We just wrapped filming our sci fi project for next year, with a working title of Mining Moon about a secret agent who works undercover for an illegal arms dealer, charged with locating renegade strong hold in the backdrop of a universe on the brink of civil war. All the main actors from Game Companion are also in this film plus many more.
Are you working on any other new projects that you can tell me about?
I worked on Somewhere in the Night, and the Paradox of Needing before with director Jeff James Monson. He wrote those projects, and Game Companion I wrote and we directed together. Jeff´s films were written as actor´s films to show off their skills, as he is an actor himself. Coming from a VFX background I wanted a story that really showed visually with costumes, make up, and VFX. I find that short films are less likely to go that direction. If you are looking for something you have heard of, I was an extra in Speed II, though I am not seen in it.
I worked on Somewhere in the Night, and the Paradox of Needing before with director Jeff James Monson. He wrote those projects, and Game Companion I wrote and we directed together. Jeff´s films were written as actor´s films to show off their skills, as he is an actor himself. Coming from a VFX background I wanted a story that really showed visually with costumes, make up, and VFX. I find that short films are less likely to go that direction. If you are looking for something you have heard of, I was an extra in Speed II, though I am not seen in it.
If you love anime, gaming, and geeky stuff, then you will love this little short. I highly recommend checking it out. The film is due for release next year but until then you can catch it at any of these fine events.
Izumicon Oklahoma City Oct 30 ““ Nov 2nd
Epic Con Dayton, Ohio Oct 24 ““ 26 where we open for the Peter Dinklage (from Game of Thrones) movie “Knights of Badassdom“
Shock Shiver Film Festival Oct 31, Myrtle Beach, SC
Beacon Underground Film Festival, Nov 8 Beacon NY
Chessiecon Nov 28 ““ 30, North Baltimore
Funtastic Showcase Dec 6 Tempe, AZ
London Anime and Gaming Convention Feb 7 and 8
Anime Kaiju Jan 2-4, Nashville
The festival of Fantastic Films Oct 31, Nov 2, Birmingham, UK
Izumicon Oklahoma City Oct 30 ““ Nov 2nd
Epic Con Dayton, Ohio Oct 24 ““ 26 where we open for the Peter Dinklage (from Game of Thrones) movie “Knights of Badassdom“
Shock Shiver Film Festival Oct 31, Myrtle Beach, SC
Beacon Underground Film Festival, Nov 8 Beacon NY
Chessiecon Nov 28 ““ 30, North Baltimore
Funtastic Showcase Dec 6 Tempe, AZ
London Anime and Gaming Convention Feb 7 and 8
Anime Kaiju Jan 2-4, Nashville
The festival of Fantastic Films Oct 31, Nov 2, Birmingham, UK
and the list goes on:
Tuscon Film Festival Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival Oct 31, Nov 2,
Starbase Indy, Nov 28-30
New Con PDX Jan 2 ““ 4 (2015), Portland, OR
Retro Gamers April 5 (2015) Winnipeg, MB
Nerda Con Nov 14 ““ 15 Columbus, GA
Halcon Nov 7 ““ 9, Halifax, NS
Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention Sci Fi Cinema Showcase Nov 21 ““ 23
Shockpop comicon Feb 13 ““ 15 (2015), Fort Lauderdale
Malta Comic Con Nov 29 ““ 31
Tuscon Film Festival Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival Oct 31, Nov 2,
Starbase Indy, Nov 28-30
New Con PDX Jan 2 ““ 4 (2015), Portland, OR
Retro Gamers April 5 (2015) Winnipeg, MB
Nerda Con Nov 14 ““ 15 Columbus, GA
Halcon Nov 7 ““ 9, Halifax, NS
Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention Sci Fi Cinema Showcase Nov 21 ““ 23
Shockpop comicon Feb 13 ““ 15 (2015), Fort Lauderdale
Malta Comic Con Nov 29 ““ 31
more information: https://nerdragenews.com/game-companion-review/
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