Yet another Game Movie: Dead Space

[jamclaur]

It appears it's going to be an animated prequel.

[kwayneg]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

It appears it's going to be an animated prequel.

up for order on Amazon here's the link

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Space-Dow...2240284&sr=1-1

[aygie]

I think its was the plan all along to have a animated film to accompany the game.

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by Aygie

I think its was the plan all along to have a animated film to accompany the game.

Maybe... BUt I REALLY hope it isn't watered down.

[DefTechPioElite]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

Maybe... BUt I REALLY hope it isn't watered down.

seriously guys? First off, this is old news. Second, the movie is rated R and looks to be as brutal as the game itself. I am, personally, looking forward to it on BD.

[Crim122]

game looks ****ing sick, movie might be worth a view.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

Well, at least like the FF7 movie, this is a game movie that makes actual scence as part of the game storyline.

[jkwest]

old news...they announced this a long time ago..it will be out the same time as the game.

[alexakajeff]

imdb pro???

[jkwest]

here's more info on the movie...
http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_s...t-cut-sce.html

As most Cut Scene readers probably know already, Starz Media recently signed a pretty unique deal with EA to produce an animated TV/direct-to-dvd film tied into this fall's new sci-fi/horror game "Dead Space." We've seen lots of movies based on videogames before, of course, but usually they come out after the game's a hit. This is the first I know of that is being done "on spec" in order to be released along with the game. Starz is basically banking that EA really does have a hit franchise on its hands.

Since this deal is right where The Cut Scene lives (not physically, but philosophically -- you know what I mean), I figured you would all want to know more about it. So I got on the phone with Scott Greenberg, president of Starz-owned Film Roman, which is producing the "Dead Space" movie, to talk more about it:

The Cut Scene: How did this deal come about? Who approached who? Why did you find it interesting?

Scott Greenberg: It got started a little over two years ago when I reached out to EA. We were looking for new sources of ideas. I believe and we at Film Roman felt that videogames -- the way comic books have become a source of stories in the past years -- games have the same influence. They're another great source to tap into.

But it had to be the right way to do it. I worked closely with two guys in EA's business affairs group. We got to know the different games. We had to find right product to start off. They want to get the motor going on original IP. They are the best at games we feel we're the best at animation. So we figured it would be a good match.

"Dead Space" is something they told us about from the get go. We started developing a film with them over a year ago as a prequel. I would go with them to every studio and meet people, see what games they have. Some don’t make sense as movies. There are a couple of others we have in development more as series for kids.

We really wanted to figure out how to develop together. They do their story and we do ours. Somebody have great experience playing game and also a great experience watching it for more background. There will be enough links so gamers can enjoy it, but at the same time the film stands alone if you don't play the games.

We had time to get to know each other and built trust. "Dead Space" is a game that's at the right place with the timing and we just worked closely to start develop script with their characters. It's a great one to launch off of. Then we'll do more hopefully.

TCS: How did you come up with the story for the film? How much were they involved with it?

SG: They have a very detailed bible. It's basically "'Alien' meets 'Doom' in space." To get there, though, there's a whole mythology they built behind it. In the game there are planets with markings that unleash holy hell. We said, "Is there a parallel story?" There was some mutual brainstorming. We said it would be really interesting to tell a prequel story. Where the movie ends, the game picks right up.

We found a bunch of writers who they met and interviewed. Together we picked Jimmy Palmiotti, who writes comic books. As we started doing our story, the development of the game was always evolving. That’s cool for us. As they're producing sound effects we're using stuff they have. We have their world and their designs. That's a huge jump start to take their assets. We had a meeting two weeks ago with their producer and our director going over some scripts storyboards.

On the marketing side, these guys are the best marketers out there. They're working closely with our sales people. This will be an event. Like a motion picture release. They're building a brand and we're coordinating that as we approach TV partners in the U.S. and worldwide. It will be a tie-in to the release of game. The whole thing will come out like a big "Dead Space" event. That’s exciting to me because it provides exposure for both sides. We'll help drive game sales and they'll help drive TV and homevideo.

TCS: How will the windows work? What will the timing be from the TV debut to homevideo, or vice-versa?

SG: That's still being worked out. The goal right now is to release it on homevideo day-and-date with the game around Halloween. We'd premiere the movie on TV in mid-late September or early October. So it would be a short window. But it depends on the needs and wants of our partners. That's being worked out right now.

TCS: What would the rating be, since the game looks like it will be an M?

SG: On DVD we might be able to push it (to an R). The TV version has to be able to play in prime time cable.

TCS: Will the film be CGI ?

SG: There will be CG backgrounds. CG vehicles and CG props from the games. So the world is CG, they we are animating the characters and other things we insert in 2-D.

TCS: Is Starz fully financing the film? Is EA involved with that at all?

SG: I don’t want to comment on the deal terms. But it's a beneficial relationship for everybody.

TCS: Will you use the same voice actors as the game?

SG: Yes. And we are involved in the voice casting.

TCS: Might you sell the game and movie together as one package?

SG: Possibly. Everything’s on the table. Everybody is looking for the best way to market this. Co-packaging is a possibility, but nothing is planned as of yet.

TCS: What's your overall goal for your relationship with EA?

SG: I want to do a lot of things with them. I hope this is the first of many. In my view, it's a long term relationship. I hope we can do more event movies. We're talking about animated series for kids. This could also move into the live action space for other parts of Starz. EA has a mandate to build properties and expand into the traditional entertainment world. We think it's smart to be in that space and we want to be there with them.

But we're not in business with them to sell games. We're not a marketing company for them. We're here to make great entertainment of our own.

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by alexakajeff

imdb pro???

You have to pay for it. I got it to see if I could get more work. It was a bust. BUT I can see any movie in "planning" stages. Or what any actor is working on before it's really announced.