We Are Wrapped!! 40 BELOW AND FALLING Enters Post Production!

We're wrapped! Into post we go. What a journey so far and I'm thrilled to be a part of such an awesome movie. I'll be sure to keep you all up to speed on happenings in post production as well and we have some surprises in store for you!

Here's our official press release: 

EDMONTON - That’s a wrap! Filming in Edmonton is officially complete on 12pt Media’s 3D Romantic Adventure/Comedy 40 Below and Falling. The film stars actors Jewel Staite (Firefly, The Killing) and Shawn Roberts (Resident Evil) along with a superb Canadian support cast that includes Cindy Busby, Shaun Johnston, Mark Meer and Hollywood trained grizzly bear Whopper from Innisfail, Alberta.

40 Below and Falling tells the story of Kate Carter (Jewel Staite), a small town school teacher who is moving back to the big city for her wedding. When a blizzard strikes, her flight gets cancelled and the roads are shut down, leaving Kate no choice but to hop on the back of a surly stranger named Redford’s (Shawn Roberts) snowmobile. As they battle the winter elements together and their adventures unfold, Kate slowly starts to question the choice she has made about the man she is set to marry.

The movie was filmed in Edmonton and various locations across Alberta with a custom manufactured beam-splitting rig. This cutting-edge technology allowed the team to effectively shoot in freezing Canadian temperatures with reduced setup times for all of the film's remote locations. The feature is now entering into post-production, utilizing Davinci Resolve, AVID, NUKE and After Effects to meet its quick delivery date at the end of May. The complicated workflow involves over 150TB of data and is being managed in house by 12pt Media.

Executive Producers Darren Arsenault, Corinne Ferguson, Pierre-Andre Rochat, Producer Andrew Scholotiuk, Associate Producer Jim Dorey, along with the crew, are hard at work behind the scenes getting the film ready for its expected release in the fall of 2015. 40 Below and Falling is currently scheduled to be broadcast in Canada in 2D on Super Channel, with an international release being handled by distributor DARO Films out of Monaco.

Produced in association with the Edmonton Film Fund and with the assistance of the Government of Alberta Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit Program.

Stay up to date on the film’s adventures and get in on some of the behind the scenes action by following 40 Below and Falling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook: 40 Below and Falling 3D
Twitter/Instagram: 40Below3D
www.40belowandfalling.com 

Stay tuned for more!
 

Jason Momoa's AQUAMAN Breaks Surface!

There is only one true King. Unite the seven.

I think this is perfect casting and really amplifies my expectations for BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. Jason Momoa just fits this role. Certainly the character needed presence as with any comic book superhero it can be a stretch to attain suspension of disbelief, but especially for the more marginal heroes and their abilities. Momoa definitely brings presence and the image shows how director Zach Snyder and DC are tackling his costume and weapon of choice.

Brilliant use of tattoos to mimic the traditional Aquaman costume! The tats also bring to mind cultural tattoos from the pacific islands - part of Momoa's heritage (his father is of native Hawaiian descent).

Momoa joins a stellar cast in BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE namely Henry Cavill (Superman), Ben Affleck (Batman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luther), Jeremy Irons (Alfred), Amy Adams, Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne.

Aquaman's exposure has been carefully planned and he is expected to have presence in JUSTICE LEAGUE PART ONE (slated for November 17, 2017), AQUAMAN (July 27, 2018) and JUSTICE LEAGUE PART TWO (June 14, 2019).

BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is slated for a March 25, 2016 release.

TERMINATOR: GENISYS Gets IMAX 3D Release

Click to giganticize

We already knew about TERMINATOR: GENISYS being released in 3D, but now word has dropped that the movie will also see a release in IMAX 3D.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John’s fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.

You can rewatch the TERMINATOR: GENISYS trailer here.

TERMINATOR: GENISYS opens on July 1 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

Whallopin' Websnappers!! Spidey Coming To Marvel Universe in 2017!!

Wow - wouldn't have thought I'd see this day happen any time soon, but here it is and the date will be July 28, 2017!

Yes Sony and Marvel have partnered to bring Peter Parker and Spider-man into Marvel's cinematic universe which means there is a great chance he is destined to join The Avengers as he should.

In the meanwhile Kevin Feige will produce the 2017 iteration of Spider-man along with Amy Pascal (who stepped down as Sony co-chairman). Sony will continue to own the webslinger's rights for distribution, financing and final cut and control.

As this is breaking news - there's not too much to report on, but suffice to say 2017 is looking like another awesome movie year.

Stay tuned for more...

Source: Variety

90 Percent Of World's Screens Are Digital - 3D Continues To Dominate Screen Conversions

90 percent of all the world's screens are now digital and marks an obvious important milestone in deployment. Not long ago film dominated the market. How things change.

Furthermore, 73 percent of all screens being converted to digital in 2014 was 3D says IHS Cinema Intelligence of London. That is a hugely significant number because 3D remains extremely significant in overseas markets, especially the soon to be largest market of all - China.

Many fail to realize that the North American market is not the dominate player it used to be. In fact more and more decisions about what gets made and for how much is being made overseas. 3D remains an important component of overseas and especially Asian markets and I am thrilled that the format has been so overwhelmingly received and nurtured there.

The countries topping the list of 3D screens installed were China, USA, Mexico, Russia and Brazil.

Source: IHS Cinema Intelligence via Variety

New Behind The Scenes Shots From 40 BELOW AND FALLING!

Here's a couple more shots from the set of 40 BELOW AND FALLING that I'm producing along with Andrew Scholotiuk, Darren Arsenault, Corinne Ferguson, Pierre-Andre Rochat. The Director is Dylan Pearce who I leave alone now as much as I can as he is obviously focused on delivering his vision in 3D of course and 4K! 

That snowmobile you see in the first shot plays a very key role in the movie and it's cool to see it in the flesh rather than read about it in the script! You can see Shawn Roberts (Redford) behind it with the boom mic extended - a chilly day but rewarding for all.

The second shot is of Jewel Staite (Kate) outfitted in a formal gown. Being shot in Edmonton and it's Northern Alberta region, it's definitely brisk in winter; but as we know and many, many other productions, that country is simply gorgeous. And the story demands it! Can't wait for you to see it.

It's extremely interesting to be a part of the mechanism behind making a movie and this crew is absolutely top notch. And day to day planning is of utmost concern especially with an outdoors winter production. For those of you not in the know, we get daily Call Sheets outlining everything you can imagine from call times to set requirements to locations all methodically laid out and in order. It's wonderful to see it all come together so elegantly.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Starring high in demand Canadian actress Jewel Staite (series regular on Joss Whedon’s hit TV show Firefly and his feature film Serenity, and star of the AMC/Netflix drama series The Killing) and Canadian actor Shawn Roberts (star in the hit movie franchise Resident Evil, co-star in Edge of Darkness, and X-Men) – 40 Below and Falling tells the story of Kate Carter, a teacher from a small, Northern Canadian town, who is moving back to the big city for her wedding. After quitting her job and packing up her life, Kate feels certain that this is the future she has always wanted – that is until her flight gets cancelled by a blizzard and she meets a surly stranger named Redford. With all road travel being suspended, Kate is forced to hop on the back of Redford’s snowmobile and embark on an adventure that will leave her questioning the decision she has made about the man she is set to marry.

For the full boilerplate for the movie, be sure to check it out here. More cool stuff when I can get it for you - stay tuned!

Ang Lee To Tackle BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK In Native 3D 4K HFR!

(Photo) Jim Dorey. 2013.

When Ang Lee tackles a project he gives it his all and in this case the project is Ben Fountain's novel BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK and he is going to shoot it in native 3D 4K and ultra high frame rate.

When I spoke to Ang awhile back he told me that he's excited to work with 3D and having it available to him for projects - and now that we know what his next 3D project will be, my eyes lit up. 

As Lee did with LIFE OF PI, he will be leaping over new technological and creative barriers. To help him do so he's hired one of the best in Demetri Portelli (HUGO, 47 RONIN, THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET) and his team to handle the stereoscopic 3D. They'll be using Sony F65 cameras and the word is Lee's vision is breathtaking. As if you are really there. Think the D-Day scenes in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN but add in perfect immersive 3D shot in 4K and ultra high frame rate. Of course I'm sure Lee has many more surprises for us! Can't wait for this. 

Here's the storyline courtesy of Variety:
Bravo Company and 19-year-old private Billy Lynn survive a harrowing Iraq battle that is captured by news cameras. They are brought home by the U.S. administration for a promotional tour, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of a Thanksgiving Day football game, all while facing an imminent return to the war. Almost the entire movie takes place during the day of the game, with flashes back to the underlying events and Billy’s heroism. 

This is a filmmaker driven project that is original and you simply know that care will be taken to present it in new and spectacular ways. More info when we get it! 

Source: Variety

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Eying $1 Billion - Opens To $50m In China!

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES has opened to $49.5m in China which is just about as much as the first Hobbit movie made during it's entire run in the country! Goes to show the recognition that the movie brings now to the Chinese as well as the further development of the theater industry there - especially 3D. With FIVE ARMIES being made in native 3D with world leading 3ality Technica rigs, these box office results underscore what great movie making can achieve.

Peter Jackson's finale to the Hobbit trilogy has raked in $866 million worldwide as of now and as China is it's last major market the echos of the release may be enough to push it to the magic billion dollar mark despite being obviously snubbed by the Academy for Oscars this year. The movie only managed to be nominated for Sound Editing. How it is not at least nominated for Visual Effects is beyond me.

Will THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES hit $1 billion? Will we ever return to Middle-earth again any time soon? I'd dearly love to see some spin offs from these movies - character origins stories, adventures and the like. I doubt the Tolkien estate would allow it, but there would definitely be a huge market for it. Even a bridge movie bringing Legolas together with Strider as described at the end of the movie would be huge.

Can't wait to get the extended trilogy versions on Blu-ray! All the behind the scenes action is what I really enjoy in these boxed sets. Stay tuned for further box office updates!

First Look: Teaser Trailer For FANTASIC FOUR Hits

I think Fox's FANTASTIC FOUR may have finally got it right. They certainly have the right director in Josh Trank (CHRONICLE) and cast with Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell. Obviously it's hard to get an understanding from just a teaser, but my impression is that the story is having a lot of attention paid to it this time around.

Matthew Vaughn (KICK ASS, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE) is a Producer on this movie as well giving FANTASTIC FOUR a fine pedigree indeed. I think we are finally in for a treat with this franchise.

Here's the storyline:
FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

FANTASTIC FOUR opens in theaters August 7, 2015.