Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #2 - THE WIZARD

"So, according to this, we're in Goblin Valley. Great. I mean, I mean, I mean... it couldn't be Happy Valley or Wonderful Valley. Goblin Valley. Why not, Axe Murderer's Valley?" - Corey Woods (The Wizard)

I was born in the 80's and one of the films from that decade I remember watching over and over was 1989's cult classic "The Wizard".  Most kids my age at the time were really into Nintendo and the producers of this film were able to develop a really great story about a broken family and video games.

The film starred Fred Savage (from the TV series Wonder Years, which I'll talk about in a future post),  Jenny Lewis, Beau Bridges, Christian Slater and Luke Edwards as the Wizard.

Haley
  "Hi, I'm Haley. If you don't tell me what you're doing, I'm going to scream."

Corey
"Could you scream quietly?"

The Wizard is a cross-country adventure about a shy boy named Jimmy, a video game prodigy, who along with his brother Corey and a girl named Haley set out to go to "Video Armageddon" a gaming tournament.  The movie has much deeper themes and meanings than one would believe.  Its also a great time capsule of a film which captures the Nintendo craze in the 80's.

Check out the trailer:

 "I've got video monsters, I've got movie monsters, I've got graffiti on the wall monsters" - Diner Manager

The film also has a brief cameo by a very young Tobey Maguire (far left)

I remember going to Universal Studios (where in the film the video game championships take place) and going on the King Kong ride.  Its one of those images from your memory that you can easily recall because it was so iconic.  I think I remember his teeth the most.

Another memory piece were the dinosaurs of Cabazon in the California desert.  These were also featured in another 80's classic "Pee Wee's Big Adventure".

The film featured another video game master named Lucas who probably had one of the most quotable lines in the movie.

"I love the Power Glove. It's so bad." - Lucas

 The video game montage clip:

 Check out the film if you haven't seen it or re-watch it and relive some 80's childhood memories.

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : an 80's kids TV series

Cheers

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #1 - SUBMARINE

    

"Most people think of themselves as individuals, that there's no one on the planet like them.  This thought motivates them to get out of bed, eat food, and walk around like nothings wrong.  My name is Oliver Tate." - Oliver Tate (Submarine)

I thought I'd start off the blog series with a film I saw a couple of years ago.  I think that a lot of people may not have had this film on their radar but is sure to become a cult classic.  The film is called Submarine and its the debut feature from director Richard Ayoade (you may know him as he starred in the comedy "The Watch" with Vince Vaughn) and executive produced by Ben Stiller who makes a blink and you'll miss cameo.

The film, based on the novel by Joe Dunthorne, is about Oliver Tate, a 15 year old, who finds himself with a couple of relationship problems in his young life.  He struggles with his newly formed relationship with a darkly haired girl named Jordana Bevan who he wants to have sex with for the first time and the monitoring of the crumbling marriage of his more then ordinary parents.

Submarine's deft-wit is already apparent in the initial opening quote from the film's protagonist Oliver Tate to the audience:

"My Dear Americans, The film you are about to see is a biopic of my life. The events take place, not so long ago, in a proud land called Wales. Wales is next to England, a country you pretend to treat as an equal. My homeland has produced Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tom Jones and some other people. You have not yet invaded my country and for this I thank you. Submarine is an important film. Watch it with respect. Fond regards from your protagonist, Oliver Tate." 

Here is the trailer:

It feels like a film out of the 70s ala Harold & Maude and just as timeless.  It has moments of a Woody Allen, Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson or Edgar Wright film.   This mashup is blended quite nicely as you get a little bit of everything you could want without everything you wouldn't.  With its clever and witty metta-narration by Oliver, this mini biopic of a film has some of the best writing, cinematography and score for an indie comedy that I've seen in recent years.  The original soundtrack music was created by Alex Turner of the Artic Monkeys.

Here is the soundtrack in its entirety avaliable on youtube:

 

The film stars Craig Roberts who starred in last year's Tim Burton music video for the Killers along side Winona Ryder.  Here is the music video in case you haven't seen it:

Another Burton connection is the father of Oliver Tate played by Noah Taylor who played the father to little Charlie Bucket in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"My mother is worried I have mental problems. I found a book about teenage paranoid delusions during a routine search of my parents' bedroom." - Oliver Tate

Submarine is a film unlike no other coming-of-age coming-of-romance drama comedy made in recent years.  Check it out as soon as possible!

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : 80's classics

Cheers

Little Gothic Horrors: Henry The Heart Boy Book

http://littlegothichorrors.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/henry-heart-boy.html

Emma, of Little Gothic Horrors, posted a little write up on myself and the Henry The Heart Boy Book.  Check it out!

Cheers

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #14

Production on the Henry film is going very well.  We are currently at around 128 total shots with a good 60 - 65% shots of completed animation.  Things are looking good for the release later this year.

You'll notice on the Ken Turner blog ( http://kenturner.blogspot.ca/ ) I've added a teaser poster for the Henry film right above the Snowboy & Crow banners.  Eventually I'll add the official film poster along with the link to the film.

Along with the teaser poster, here is a production still of a story-boarded shot.  Enjoy:

The HTHB campaign has ended. 

 Special thanks to all who contributed and supported the Henry: The Heart Boy campaign!

All rewards will go out this week.

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations - INTRO

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations - INTRO

     In these new series of blog posts I will attempt to trace all my own influences and inspirations which have shaped me and my films to this point as a short filmmaker.

     Probably the best way to think of this series is like looking at a filmmaker's bookshelves and seeing all the films, books, artwork, sculptures, etc that they have collected throughout the years that has inspired the films they create.  My hope to all who may read my series is that they will find something that never seen before or remind them of something they may have forgotten like a old 80's or 90's Saturday morning cartoon.  Remember those?

     I thought of going a different route instead of writing a generic list of my favorite films.  I wanted to provide a more broad context to the things that have influenced and confirmed my passion for film and my need to become a filmmaker.  Film combines all of the great art forms to create something completely original.  In that respect, all of my influences do not all come directly from film or film directors.  They come from many different sources such as books, illustrators, music, photography and fine art.  This is why I need to be part of this brilliant art form and try my best to influence people as I have been influenced.

     I hope you'll follow along with my blogs and maybe get inspired yourself.

Thanks

Cheers

- Ken

The "INDIEGOGO HENRY: THE HEART BOY SHORT FILM CAMPAIGN" has officially launched!

Update #1: February 19 2013 -

***Everyone who contributes to the Henry campaign will get their name in the end credits of the film.

Click on link to go to the campaign:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/henry-the-heart-boy-short-film/x/88660

A new animated short film by director, Ken Turner.  

The film is to be completed towards the end of 2013.

We want to make the very best film we can, with the highest quality for animation, backgrounds and designs.  We hope everyone will love the project and back us up! 

WHAT"S THE FILM ABOUT?

Everyone has gone through heartbreak but Henry has taken the phrase "wearing your heart on your sleeve" quite literal and for him its become a bloody nightmare!

The film is based on the illustrated book of the same name written and illustrated by Ken Turner.

How Your Money Can Help:

- it will help the production team continue the work without interruption and delay

- it will afford our talented composer, Eros Cartechini, to focus solely on writing an original score for this project

- it will allow a talented sound designer to work exclusively on the film- it will allow us to cover film festival costs

- it will allows us to cover cost for promotional materials and shipping

THE PRODUCTION TEAM:

Ken Turner - Director/Producer/Animator

David Tran - Animator

Jodi Sandler - Animator

Diego Sierra - Animator

Mike Hitchcox - BG Painter

Sam Rusztyn - Color Script Painter

Eros Cartechini - Music Composer

Andrew Morrow - Voice Talent

Chloe Harrison Gillard - Voice Talent

Kris Pearn - Story Consultant

Ray Xu  - Story Consultant

Andrew Ross  - Story Consultant

M.R. Horhager  - Story Consultant

Myke Bakich  - Story Consultant

The Rewards:

Rewards go from $1 - $500 and perks range from the following -

High-res HENRY desktop image

HENRY illustrated book

A signed mini-poster

A signed original Henry sketch

CREDIT in the movie as an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Other Ways You Can Help:

Get the word out about the Henry: The Heart Boy Short Film!

Tell your family and friends about this project.  

Please post a link to this campaign on your: 

facebook, twitter, myspace, blogs, tumblr, wordpress, flickr, etc.

Cheers

Thank you!

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #13

Along with the above concept art, here is a production still of a story-boarded shot.  Enjoy:

This Thursday February 14, the "Henry: The Heart Boy Indiegogo Film Campaign" will officially launch.

It will run for only 30 days, so be sure pledge as soon as possible.

Please spread the word to your friends and family.

http://www.indiegogo.com/

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #12

Along with the above concept art, here is a production still of a storyboarded shot.  Enjoy:

In only 10 days, *Feb 14, 2013, the official "Henry: The Heart Boy Indiegogo Film Campaign" will officially launch.  

Some of the rewards for those who pledge I've listed below:

• A high-res HENRY desktop image for your computer
• Henry: The Heart Boy illustrated book
• An exclusive Henry mini-poster
• An original "Henry" watercolor illustration
• An associate producer credit in the film

...many more rewards to come.

Continuing with introductions for the team behind the new Henry: The Heart Boy film...

Here is the list of the story consultants on the film along with LINKS to their work:


Kris Pearn

Kris has worked across the entertainment industry from Television to Feature Film as an Animator, Designer, Story Artist, Writer and Director, including such films as Surf's Up, Open Season, Arthur Christmas, and Pirates! Band of Misfits. He was Head of Story on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and he's currently directing the upcoming Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs sequel for Sony Pictures Animation. Kris was born and raised on a goat farm in Delaware Ontario Canada. He attended Sheridan College where he studied Classical Animation. He still loves to draw.

IMDB:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2329165/
BLOG:  http://walleyesworld.blogspot.ca/
TED TALK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDimipj2P1E
PEARNWORKS:  http://pearnworks.bigcartel.com/product/edward-the-tree-climbing-dog-signed-copy


Ray Xu

Story Artist at Reel FX

BLOG:  http://raymondxu.blogspot.ca/


Andrew Ross

Story Artist at PDI DreamWorks Animation

BLOG:  http://andrew-ross.blogspot.ca/


M.R. Horhager


M.R. Horhager is a filmmaker working and living in Toronto, Canada.

His films EXTREME NUTS (2010), BALL'OONS (2011), RINGO or: The Story of a couple who tried to revitalize their relationship but instead ruined a child.(2012), have screened at various international festivals.

He is just wrapping up production on another film which he co-directed with J.M. Walter called I HATE YOU RED LIGHT (2012).


IMDB:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2804213/
RINGO film: https://vimeo.com/42481440


Myke Bakich

Story Artist at House of Cool Studios Inc

WEBSITE:  http://mykesstoryboardsamples.blogspot.ca/
BLOG:  http://mykebakich.blogspot.ca/
STUDENT FILM:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBFVp-cFPws

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #11

 


Along withe above concept art, here is an production still.  Enjoy:

Mark your calenders as on Feb 14, 2013, the official "Henry: The Heart Boy Indiegogo Film Campaign" will launch.   Lots of great perks will be available to those you pledge towards the film.  More details soon.

Continuing with introductions for the team behind the new Henry: The Heart Boy film...

 

 Diego Sierra graduated from the BAA Animation program at Sheridan College in 2007. He loves to come up with ideas, characters and stories for all audiences.

He has worked as an animator and designer for studios and shows such as:  Pipeline Studios (Grossology, Scardey Squirrel and Detentionaire), Cuppa Coffee (Ugly Americans), Big Soul, Oasis (Lucky Fred) and 9 Story (Wild Kratts).

LINKS to his work:

IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3890149/
DEMO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ThhrH2mER6E
PORTFOLIO - http://colombianportfolio.blogspot.ca/
LINKEDIN - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/diego-sierra/18/859/ba1

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #10

 

Continuing with introductions for the team behind the new Henry: The Heart Boy film...

  
 

On board is Andrew Morrow, whose an aspiring comedy writer out of Ottawa.  A lifelong student and fan of the sketch form, he has been writing and producing short, comedic films for several years now; exploring various mediums including radio and animation.  Recently he moved to Toronto where he worked on the feature, independent film “Divine Emnity” as the storyboard artist and production assistant.

https://www.facebook.com/DivineEnmityMovie

He also recently pitched his cartoon show concept “Angst Man” through which he met Ken Turner.  Since then Andrew has lent his voice to a number of Ken’s short cartoons including “Attack of the Giant Vegetable Monsters”, the web series “The World of Snowboy and Crow” and now "Henry: The Heart Boy".

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner

"Henry: The Heart Boy" Short Film - Production Update #9

Continuing where I left off last week with introducing the team behind the new Henry: The Heart Boy film...

First up is Mike Hitchcox, who is 2D Background Artist.  He is an experienced artist in both the fine arts and commercial animation background field. Having worked for Nelvana as a background supervisor, he’s worked on over 50 animated series both traditionally and CG , including Beetlejuice, Magic School Bus, Dog City,Gargoyles, Blazing Dragons, George Shrinks, Rescue Heroes, Babar,Franklin, My Pet Monster and Care Bears.

Michael has also worked for Studio B Productions, painting colour keys for a variety of productions and was a guest background artist in 1995 and 1997 to help train artists in the BG department and helping to develop the original concept for the BG style of the God Rocks made-for-video series and other studio projects at Chelsea Roads Productions. 

Michael has taught color and painting technique courses for the Con-Ed program at Sheridan College and has developed an on line Fundamental painting and Background course for WebCT, hosted by Sheridan College. At present, he is instructing background painting using both traditional and Photoshop methods for the second year BAA animation course at Sheridan.

(BIO courtesy of Mark Mayerson - http://sheridananimationfaculty.blogspot.ca/2011/08/michael-hitchcox-2nd-year-painting.html)

IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1060084/

Next up is Sam Rusztyn, who is a background/matte painter.  She has worked on shows such as The Adventures of Chuck and Friends, Backyardigans, and Grossology.

WEBSITE - http://www.samrusztyn.ca/

IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3493541/

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tell your friends.

Cheers

- Ken

https://twitter.com/iKenTurner