It's
a feature length sci-fi adventure about two different species with a
history of hatred for each other. Their planets are almost out of water
and they must learn to put their differences aside if they want
to survive.
What were your sources of inspiration
when writing Alien Planet?
I
was heavily influenced by movies like Enemy Mine, Alien Nation and
countless other sci-fi stories about prejudices.
From the sounds of it, Alien Planet
is going to be a space opera - a favourite genre of
yours, and some of your genre favourites? And what do you think sets Alien Planet
apart from other movies of its ilk?
This
movie has no humans. Most sci-fi movies are humans and aliens mixed
together. This one takes us completely away from earth and into a universe
far different from our own... except they seem to have the same struggles
as we do as humans. Hopefully viewers can take something away from that.
Science
fiction is a genre that demands its fair share of special effects almost
by definition - so what can you tell us about the projected effects work
in Alien Planet, and how will it be achieved?
It
will be 95% practical effects. All makeup, real blood, puppets and miniatures! I plan on shooting with the intensions to have zero VFX. But
there will be a very small amount needed for space travel shots. But even
those will be shot with practical miniature space ships!
What
can you tell us about Alien Planet's intended look and feel?
The
best way I can describe it is that it will be a mix between Enemy Mine and
Star Trek!
Anything
you can tell us about Alien Planet's tentative cast yet, and why
exactly these people?
It
is a wonderful cast of actors that all specialize in non-human characters.
This will be perfect for all the heavy prosthetics and makeup they will
all be under for the entire film.
As far as I know, you're currently
running a fundraiser for Alien Planet - so do talk about your
campaign for a bit!
The
campaign is currently live - https://igg.me/at/alienplanet
-, we are offering fantasitc perks such as Blu-rays, producer credits and
autographs on Godzilla and
Puppet Master merchandice! Each week I am also
interviewing members of our cast and crew. It's very interactive and very
much like the Telethons we used to watch on rabbit ear TVs!
Once the budget's in place, what's
the schedule? And any idea when and where your movie might be released
yet?
The
plan is to start filming around the end of summer this year. The release
of our film is TBD but I'm anticipating having it available on all the
regular platforms we all use.
Any future projects beyond Alien Planet?
As
a filmmaker, this is currently consuming my time, but im confident there
will be another after this!
What
got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject?
I
have always been into the entertainment industry, even as a child. I have
degrees in filmmaking and broadcasting and 15 years under my belt as a
television editor. All of that alongside my 10 year long career as an
actor all leads me to this spot I'm currently at now!
When it comes to making movies,
you've worked many a position both in front of and behind the camera - so
what do you enjoy the most, what could you do without?
I
love both on camera and behind it so much! They are both such different
beasts that it's even hard to compare for me. My heart is definitly in
creature performance. That is my true love. But there is something just
magical about creativing my own world as a filmmaker.
What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Alien Planet, in
whatever position?
I
wrote and directed two films before this. My first film, Christmas
with Cookie, was a wacky B-movie made for only
$1,000. It's bad but hilarious at the same time. My second movie is a
short film called Patina,
about a killer robot warning us about technology in our homes such as
Alexa.
How would you describe yourself as a
director?
Since
I'm an actor, I work well with actors and know how they work, but I also
see the big picture. Having 15 years of post production under my belt,
it's very easy for me to see how each shot is going to cut together in
post. I think that is one of the most valuable assets any director can
have and I'm grateful to have that skill.
Filmmakers who inspire
you
George
Lucas, Tim Burton, Rob Zombie, Rod Serling, Arthur P. Jacobs and many
more. There are so many great filmmakers out there and I take a little bit
from all of them.
Your
favourite movies?
Planet
of the Apes, Star Wars, American Werewolf in
London, The Thing,
Tremors, Gremlins,
Critters, Jurassic Park, and the list goes on and on. This would
be a hard one to even lower down to a list of 100 haha.
... and of course, films you really
deplore?
This
is hard for me. Even if I don't like a movie, I think there is something
so commendable about making one. It's so difficult and there are so many
things invovled in creating a finished product that I think no matter how
bad a movie is, I give props just for doing it!
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Your/your movie's website, social media,
IndieGoGo, whatever else?
The
campaign is at https://igg.me/at/alienplanet
And
you can find the film on social media at @alienplanetfilm and find me
personally at @monster_maxson
Anything else you're dying to
mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Thank
you to everyone who has backed my film already, and thank you to all who
will after reading this! We cannot make this movie without you!
Thanks for
the interview!
Thank
you! This was fun!