Los Angeles Animation Festival: The Iron Giant
On Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Regent Showcase Theater in Hollywood, California, the Los Angeles Animation Festival presented a screening of the 1999 animated film, The Iron Giant, followed by a Q&A with director Brad Bird, actor Eli Marienthal (all grown up), and members of the crew. The screening was presented with an original 35mm print of the film, in a theater that was packed with fans. Those who know of the history of The Iron Giant remember that, despite high critical praise, the film did poorly in theaters, only to find a much larger audience on home video and DVD. Now the film has a strong cult following, which was certainly apparent due to the enthusiasm seen at this crowded charity screening of the film. Continue on to find a full recording of the Q&A that followed the screening of the film. Continue reading ‘Los Angeles Animation Festival: The Iron Giant’
Before I start to tell you about what I have discovered about Charlie O’Connell let’s rattle off some of what Charlie has done in his career thus far. First film that pops into my head is he’s the “Stoner BashingTime” guy in Dude Where’s My Car, his line in that film gets me every time. Then there is The New Guy where he gets to play along side brother, Jerry O’Connell. Later To Kill a Mockumentary came about where he played Judas. Oh and there was The Gentleman’s League which I really took a liking to but that only lasted two episodes. All these roles are comedy roles. Nothing stuck out to me that was super serious or suspenseful like we are all about to see in Huff. 
In this gory-tale film, Huff, the big bad wolf has three step-daughters and the youngest of the three is Shay played by newbie actress Elly Stefanko. On my way up to Santa Clarita I was doing some research on her to see who she was. Little did I know that googling her would lead me to her website where I shockingly found out she is a pop diva. Well, as you will find out ‘Diva’ is not even in Elly’s makeup. Her latest song, “Spoiled” has a great video that spoofs the Jersey Shore kids. As you listen you may think she only sounds good due to the synthesizers and auto-tune on this track but as you click to her other songs, especially her renditions of various Christmas favorites, that is not the case. No auto-tune, no track laid behind her, just a piano and her voice. I am overly impressed. 
When I saw that Clint Howard
On September 27, I was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with legendary Disney producer Dan Hahn, so of course I had to say yes. Mr. Hahn was an integral part of the Disney Renaissance that showcased Disney’s animation in a way that recapture audiences. Mr. Hahn has been involved in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Lion King to name just a few and his longtime collaboration with Tim Burton continues with the upcoming Frankenweenie. He also produced a wonderful documentary about some of the history of Disney animation called Waking Sleeping Beauty that I really enjoyed and reviewed 
As the poster below says, “The King Has Returned” with The Lion King once again dominating the box office during it’s new re-release into the theaters. The fact that it’s beating several new movies that have just opened is a testament to it’s lasting popularity and power. I recently had the chance to participate in a round-table discussion with the two directors of The Lion King, Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers about the movie and it’s continuing appeal as well as their upcoming 3D Blu-ray that will be released on October 4th. Both men were very friendly and were happy to answer a ton of questions about the movie and it was evident that they both still had a lot of love and pride for the movie. Both men generously spent almost two hours answering questions and I thank them and Disney publicity for the opportunity. Read on for more… 
Not long ago, I had the chance to talk to with some very influential people in Disney about the restoration work done for the upcoming Dumbo Blu-ray. Those people included Sara Duran-Singer, the Senior Vice-President of Post-Production, Dave Bossert, the Creative Director of Walt Disney Studios Animation, and Joe Jiuliano, who is the Director of Film and Video Services The discussion yielded a lot of interesting information on how Disney restores and preserves their films as well as some interesting trivia such as the fact that legendary Warner Brothers animator Chuck Jones got his start working for Disney. We also found out that some of Disney’s classic live action films including (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Swiss Family Robinson, and Mary Poppins) have already been restored and will be coming to Blu-ray. Ostensibly, we were supposed to talk about the amazing restoration done on Dumbo, but I managed to sneak in a question about the legendary Song of the South which is still locked up in the vault, and I actually got an answer that might surprise you. Read on to find out more… 
So like most things in my life, events happen and transpire unexpectedly and generally for a reason…at least I tend to always cling on to that hope they do. Such was the occasion when not only did I get to attend the premiere screening of Chillerama at Comic-Con with one of my favorite directors, Adam Green (listen to my full interview with him 
They say that things always happen for a reason in life, right? Well I got to tell you, I have had some pretty remarkable events occur in my lifetime and everyone of them seemed to have had a purpose/higher calling in serving as a stepping stone to further my career. And all of them were a result of a certain catalyst or coincidental stimulus in life that I was unaware would happen. So yeah, I truly believe things happen for a reason in my life…especially the good ones…and this past Thursday afternoon was no exception to that rule. It was a day that I will always remember in my budding movie career. It’s the day that I had the pleasure and honor to interview, what may have been one of the most influential, candid and down-to-earth people I have ever met in the industry, writer/director/actor Mr. Marcus Dean Fuller. 
Spartacus: Vengeance is the name of the show. It’s the second full-length season of the highly successful Starz premium television show, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Need I say anything more? Seriously. This is the moment we have all been waiting for ladies and gentleman. This is the real deal. And today we are here to celebrate everything Spartacus. Hold on tight. Just like the language and gratuitous nudity the cable television show offers, you never quite know what to expect and besides…I like to keep people guessing. So it gives me great pleasure and honor to provide you, our readers, with exclusive roundtable interview coverage and photos recorded/taken with the stars of the hit series, Spartacus. 
In addition to my interview with Adam Green this past Friday at the Gas Lamp Cinemas in San Diego, I also got the chance to sit down and candidly speak with Chillerama directors Adam Rifkin and Tim Sullivan. Never having met these two gents before, I was optimistic that our conversation would be both fruitful and exciting. And thankfully, both results and more were yielded. I know I say this constantly about Mr. Green, but these two gents, Rifkin and Sullivan, are some of the nicest people you will ever meet in Hollywood. You know how when you meet someone for the first time you reserve judgment for a few minutes until you get to know them? First impressions, whether it be body language or whatnot, are really important and can make or break the interview experience. Well I kid you not, these two had me from hello. 
Whenever I get the chance to talk to writer/director Adam Green, I jump at the opportunity to do so. I drop everything I’m doing and I seize the moment. Because for me, talking with Adam Green is more valuable than any education in film that you will ever receive. All one has to do is watch the behind the scenes extras or listen to the commentaries on Hatchet, Hatchet 2 or Frozen to completely understand where I’m coming from. Simply put, you will never find a nicer person in Hollywood who is willing to not only pay attention to you, but also give you priceless advice. And I encourage you that whenever Adam speaks, you listen carefully and take precise notes because this man is a walking book of knowledge to all us aspiring filmmakers. 
I had the good fortune of interviewing Ashley Eckstein during this year’s Comic-Con about her character Ahsoka Tano, who happens to be Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. During our chat we discussed the show’s future, her character’s not-so-rosy future fate, the franchise’s generational shift, and the business she created called Her Universe which sells cool sci-fi clothes to women. She’s also married to Major League Baseball player and two-time World Series Champion, David Eckstein, and they generously support a variety of organizations and causes including, Mid-America Transplant Services, Donate Life and The Ronald McDonald House. Our talk took place at at her booth on the convention floor which was incredibly noisy but I did the best I could to transcribe our loose informal conversation that flowed around customers, the Hulk himself, and the multitude of people. Ashley was very sweet, friendly, and a pleasure to talk to and who was nice enough to take time away from her booming business to chat with me.
There are a total of five people in my life that when the opportunity arises that I can talk to them openly and candidly I don’t even bat an eye or think one second about it. I literally drop everything I am doing and feverishly indulge. You see, when it comes to these five people, this inquiring mind has a lot to learn from them so I fine-tune my questions and I listen sternly. Thankfully, actress Emily Kaye is one of these people I am referring to. You want to know the other four, don’t you? Really? Alright. You practically forced it out of me anyway. They are Rob Zombie, Adam Green, Jesse Dayton and Danielle Harris. Are you happy now? So the real reason, once again, that we are gathered here today is to shine that bright proverbial spotlight on an actress people will be seeing a lot of very soon. 
Easily one of the most anticipated films due out this summer is none other than Cowboys & Aliens, starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Also appearing in this awesome marriage of old west and sci-fi is none other than Brendan Wayne. Wayne, who is quickly tallying the westerns on his resume’, spoke candidly about his work on the film in addition to his other projects, life outside of movies and the history of acting in his family, including grandfather John Wayne. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm on my end wreaked havoc during the first few seconds of the interview, so you’ll notice an abrupt beginning. Nevertheless, Brendan saved the day dishing out his experiences on the upcoming blockbuster and other interesting avenues. 
I have spoken with a handful of celebrities over the past few years, but none have been as cadid or relaxed as that of my discussion with Don Jeanes. If you don’t recognize the name, let me fill you in. The guy’s got a fairly lengthy resume’ that includes stage work, television and now the big screen. This summer, you’ll see Jeanes in the role of historic astronaut and first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. During our half hour conversation, we covered topics ranging from from his early days as a struggling actor to working under Michael Bay, and somehow He-Man even got involved. 
In my third go-round with covering mixed martial arts events this past January, I had the opportunity to see Norwalk, Ohio-native James Pfeiffer take the octagon in a match that went the distance with Pfeiffer exiting as the victor. In the grapple-heavy match, both fighters wore each other down, surpassing the limits of exhaustion for the common man. Pfeiffer, however, with an appetite for winning and a physique that makes women swoon over the 22-year old, was the one raising his arms after the 3-round decision. In March, Pfeiffer once again took it to his counterpart in what would be the most teeth-clenching, adrenaline-inducing match I’ve yet to watch.
