Extinction movie - World premiere on Weds 25th Feb

It's been my genuine pleasure to have been connected (in a tenuous-basking-in-the-shadows-hanging-on-the-coattails sort of way) to an Independent British adventure movie this past couple of years - Extinction. Since 2013 I've witnessed and helped in what little way I could to promote the film - from its early crowdfunding origins, passing on titbits of info about it taking shape on film, through to finally seeing the finished product last summer in a sneak online preview.

If you care to read the piece either for the first time, or you are a bit on the bonkers side, read it again, you can find it at the link RIGHT HERE .

I could have asked you to simply scroll through the marvellous articles within this blog, but I'm on a graciously good mood today so I thought I would save you the time by providing the link. I must admit, being the self-indulgent individual that I am, I did read the piece myself once again and to be honest I was quite impressed. However, it was the marvellous interview responses from actor Ben Loyd-Holmes that actually caught my eye rather than my own writing - ho, hum.

If you can't be bothered to read the piece, and believe me I would perfectly understand it if you didn't, then here's a brief synopsis of the plot ......

"Deep in the Amazon jungle a research team lead by a respected Professor strive to protect vulnerable and endangered species, but when their guides abandon them they soon realize they are in the hunting ground of prehistoric apex predators."

I won't bore you again with the full length version of my ramblings and musings but the final paragraph I think (If I do say so myself) it nicely sums of what I thought of the movie.

"I would urge you to watch Extinction when it goes on general release and put aside any negative feelings you have for found footage, if I can do that then anyone can. Lets be clear, this is not a horror film per se, but a richly layered exciting adventure that in its final act will leave you gasping for breath. It's a genuine treat".

Well the time has finally arrived for people to get the chance to see the film for themselves because today I received the following press release from the movie's director, Adam Spinks.

STARS AND CELEBRITIES HEAD TO LONDON FOR EXTINCTION WORLD PREMIERE

The stars of the anticipated new movie EXTINCTION will walk the red carpet this month in London’s Leicester Square alongside VIP guests, celebrities and more.

Fans eager to meet the team behind Britains most anticipated monster movie can head to the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square on Wednesday February 25^th for what is sure to be the hot ticket in London. Celebrities, stars and VIP’s are expected to arrive on the red carpet from 5.15pm onwards.

EXTINCTION is directed by Adam J Spinks and stars Ben Loyd Holmes (Skyfall, Da Vinci’s Demons, Band Of Brothers) alongside Sarah Mac (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Montana), Neil Newbon (Hollyoaks), Daniel Caren (The Hike, Pulling, Essex Boys: Retribution), Ernesto Cantu (World War Z), Ross O’Hennessy (Da Vinci’s Demons), Simon Burbage (Pulp: The Movie, Hollyoaks), Dolores Reynals (There Be Dragons, A Very European Break-Up) and Emma Lillie-Lees.

EXTINCTION will be released in the UK in selected cinemas after February 25^th and then will follow soon after on March 2^nd on DVD and Blu-Ray. The film is distributed by High Fliers Films.

So my advise will be to you would be to get along to Leicester Square and shout some love at the Extinction team. If you can't manage that then keep an eye out for the limited release details and the DVD/Blu-Ray release in March.

To further wet your cinematic whistle just take a look at the behind-the-scenes clip that accompanied the press release.

The links for finding out even more about this move at the following links:

Web: www.expeditionfootage.com

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3033080/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk3

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ExtinctionTheMovie

Twitter: @EXTINCTIONfilm

Some musings on The Walking Dead

WARNING - THERE BE SPOILER AHEAD, ME HEARTIES!

It's been something of a quiet week at 5D headquarters this week. It could be that people have other things on their mind at this time of year, winter is something of a depressing mistress for me I must admit. The other reason (some would say the more plausible) for the lack of messages from the outside Sci-Fi, horror & fantasy world may well be that finally people have come to their senses and have essentially seen through my cunning facade of appearing to have some iota of clue that I know what I'm talking about - It was only a matter time, I'm not one to argue with irrefutable logic.

Regardless of the explanation, It seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a little ramble and musing, perhaps even something of a love letter, to The Walking Dead. It is a tale that for the past 10 years or so, been something of a love and obsession for this here blogger. It is also a story that, thanks to a certain TV adaptation, has now seemingly become a similar object of obsession for much of the world - and this leads me to an initial problem.

Groucho Marx, when resigning his membership of a particular club, famously gave his explanation for doing so because " I just don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member." Its a notion that I can completely empathise with. Ever since I can remember (something that is getting longer and longer each year with ever depressing regularity) I have much preferred to be a group outsider, away on the sidelines doing my own thing. This inherent need to not to follow the crowd  has become so powerfully ingrained within me that there have even situations when I have opted out of something that I enjoy simply because everyone is doing/watching it. There is a psychologist term for it - it's called being an idiot.

I'm not really sure where this unease with being part of the mainstream comes from. I just know that on more times than I care to remember I have avoided entertainment that the majority likes, and instead have found my own alternative and less well known sources, only to then disown those same sources when others then latch onto my 'discovery'. Conversely, I've also been known to wait until a particular thing becomes less popular, or even disliked, until I then decide to give it my full affections. I know, I know.......I'm a weirdo perhaps. All I know is that Groucho and I are seemingly cut from the same cloth (except for the fact that he was funny, while I am not) in that we find the mainstream majority opinion as being something to avoid at all costs. 

Just a small section of my Walking Dead obsession.

So for much of my life I have, and continue to be, an idiot. Though there are the occasional things that buck my distrust of the mainstream trends. The Walking Dead just happens to be one of those very exceptions. 

I discovered the Graphic novels a couple of years after they first appeared back in the dim and distant days of 2003. Yes, yes I know......once again I was quite ineptly behind the times. It certainly wasn't the first or last time. To be precise it was the summer of 2006 in which I first discovered the stunning artwork and storytelling that depicted a world where an unknown apocalyptic event has transformed the majority of the human population into slobbering, rotting flesh-eating zombies.

You have to remember, that this was a time when the contemporary horror scene was yet to find itself surrounded by a collection of shiny sparkling vampires, shuffling lumbering zombies or towns full of impossibly good-looking people in search of blood that is true. No, in those far more innocent times the comic book adventures of Kentucky Deputy sheriff Rick Grimes, a man who is wounded in his police role and emerges from a short coma to see his world now infested with undead, was for me a hugely enjoyable trip into gory zombie fantasy land. This story of Rick, his family and small group of fellow survivor who spend each day trying to adapt and simply survive  in this crazy new world, was simply intoxicating.

As luck would have it at that time, I had landed a new & reasonably well paid job which not only meant that bills could finally be paid, plus I could buy good quality red wine, but it also allowed me to buy up every copy to date (and ever since) of that wonderful series. I was in regular zombie heaven.

C'mon Rick, the penny will drop any minute....

A few years later (2010 to be once again precise) I learnt that the story was going to be adapted for TV, much to the suspicion and jealousy of some of my fellow Walking dead aficionados. I must admit that for a time I too shared their disquiet, though maybe not quite for the same reasons. I had read for months before the show aired many comments of fans worried in regard to such things as the authenticity of the story being lost and the potential of a glossy and insipid watering down of the gore for TV. There were indeed a plethora of other Graphic novel fan concerns. 

The thing is, I don't tend myself to get that precious about how the written word will fare under TV or film adaptation. There are some within the Scifi, horror & fantasy community who feel a strong degree of 'ownership' of literary material that to a unknowing third party would seem that it was actually them who had written it in the first place.

For me, different mediums are entitled to treat the source material in any way they want. Reading a book is an entirely different experience from watching the same thing on screen, which is as it should be. I could never understand the controversy amongst fans (and I am a big time fan) about the adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Game of Thrones, to name but three. If you love the books then simply don't give a flying fig about an adaptation that deviates from the source material. Honestly, who cares? The original source material will always be there to be cherished. And do you know something else? (I'm saying this quietly now), but sometimes those changes can work.......cough....Haldir's Elves at The Battle of Helms Deep....cough!.......really works in the movie...........cough!

No, my particular worry was very different, namely that I would now be becoming part of a 'bigger club, and like Groucho, I didn't think I wanted to be a part of it.

Boy was I wrong.

I did try to dislike the TV series, I really did. Even when I heard that the mercurial Frank Darabont was going to be initially at the helm I had decided beforehand that I simply didn't want to be part of of what I saw as the inevitable watering down in the mainstreaming and mass-popularity that would take place. I can remember on that night in 2010 when I sat in front of my television to watch the 1st episode, arms crossed and a fixed facial expression that signified that I wasn't going to enjoy myself, no matter what.

Well five seasons later, that has somewhat changed, Actually, if truth be told it changed about 3 or 4 minutes into that first episode. Yes, the show deviated almost immediately from the comic source material, and in probably in far too many ways that irked many fellow comic fans. In fact there are far too many examples of how the show has changed the original concept and storyline to mention them all here - but I'll state a couple.

"I don't remember you from the books, Daryll"...

"That's ok, I don't remember you being such a bad bitch, Carol"

1) The fabulous characterisation of Daryll by Norman Reedus has become for many the cornerstone of the series, galvanising a whole industry of 'If Daryll dies, we walk" T-shirts whenever proceedings look as if Mr Dixon might finally succumb to the Zombie bite. However, the character simply didnt exist in the original comic series and was invented purely for the TV series. However, it works.

2) The character of Shane stayed around far longer on TV than in the novels, but again this worked. The portrayal by Jon Bernthal of a man slipping ever deeper into dark insanity was a masterstroke.

3) Many of the characters seem to have become polar opposites of their comic book creations; for example Carol never really loses her meakness and self doubt in the books, yet in the TV show she has become the epitome of female power with a character ark of incredible maturity and intensity. In addition, the much maligned Andrea (who it's safe to say, was never much of a fan favourite) who on screen simply went from naivety, on to insessent complaining and finished on just plain stupid was far different from the strong purposeful Andrea who is also the lover and confidante of Rick (and still very much alive) in the comic book.

I know that these and many other examples have been a constant source of controversy amongst Walking Dead fans. However for me they not only mostly work but it means that the two can be enjoyed entirely seperately on their own merits. It would be a brave person who denies that when it comes to pivotal and powerful scenes, nothing does it better than a TV show at its best.  

The 'Tag, you're it' game at Terminus starts getting hardcore..

The Walking Dead series boasts perhaps more than most. I won't try to include all of my favourite as I'm sure there will be countless others that I'll ( an others, no doubt) will be kicking myself over after forgetting to include them. However I'll mention just a small number of my personal favourites off the top of my head.

* Shane shooting Otis as they try to evade the shuffling hords.....I can still hear the screams.

* Carol's lost daughter emerging from Herschel's barn and Rick stepping forward to deliver the killing shot.

* Darryl & Merle saving  Rick et al when they return to the prison

* Hershel's demise at the hands of the Governor.

* Carol saving the group from being hung on meat racks & the subsequent breakout at Terminus.

* Beth's death - Still shaken over that!

Now before the inevitable "I can't believe the numpty didn't mention (insert favourite scene here) Or (insert other favourite scene here)"  - well as I said, they were just a few of my personal stand out moments of a series that seems to have an infinite number of stand out moments. I know, I know! - I didn't even mention Michone......

The simple fact is that the series has provided some of the more genuinely jaw-dropping televisual experiences that I have ever had. The simple fact is that Monday nights here in the UK may finally have some meaning once again when The Walking Dead returns after its mid-season break.

An interview with actress, Adrienne Wilkinson.

Adrienna as Captain Lexxa Singh, leader of the Renegades &

winner of the title of 'gorgeous gal of the galaxy'.

THE PREAMBLE 'IT'S ALL ABOUT ME, ME, ME', BIT

I guess I'm not alone in this. There are no doubt an incalculable number of TV shows and films that I've liked over the years, in fact far too many to mention on here. In addition to that number, there have been a significant number that I have well and truly loved - again, probably too many to bore you with here today. There are also a select number from the world of television and cinema that have left what con only be described as an absolute indelible mark on me, so much so that for one reason or another I have developed something of an obsession with them. This obsession often begins immediately  at the time of release, sometimes that obsession simply appears and grows as the years pass.

I would like to add at this point that this obsession should not be regarded by those involved in the relevant productions as something to be worried about - I'm talking in the sense of them thinking they might be the recipient of a Stephen King Misery number 1 fan type of scenario. They'll be glad to know that my medication over the past few months is now working fine and the voices are no longer advising me to write my 100 emails a day to Helena Bonham-Carter. In addition, my therapist has now convinced me that it was time to dismantle my seven of nine mural that adorned my living room wall - apparently it could be construed as obsessive stalking or something......well at least that was what the restraining orders stated. No, I'm much better now.

So you could imagine my delight  at some news this week (and with it, my therapist and overworked legal teams level of dread thus increased). Indeed, it was news that could probably have only been surpassed if i'd received an invitation to judge a Princess Leia slave girl competition. ......I said I was better, not completely cured.

Erm, lets just sit here & look at this picture for a while.........

The reason for my delight was managing (thanks to new BFF of The Fifth Dimension, Ellen (hottie) Dubin, to snag an interview with another actress who during her career has had her fingers in enough Sci-Fi & fantasy pies to make even the most hardened geek dribble at the mouth with excitement. If that wasn't enough, one particular TV role of hers was certainly more than capable of fuelling the fantasies of many a male viewer (or female viewer for that matter). The series was Xena: Warrior Princess and ranks as one of my aforementioned obsessive televisual viewings. The actress concerned is the talented and gorgeous Adrienne Wilkinson, who played the duel characters of Livia and Eve, the daughter of Xena.

If that isn't enough she also plays the part of Maris Brood, the sexy female Jedi in the Star Wars video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Finally - and I may well be leaving the best until last (so breath, Stuey, breathe), but the actress in question is also to take a pivotal role in the new Star Trek production  - Star Trek: Renegades, a professionally produced television pilot to be presented for a possible online series and will also feature such Trek luminaries such as Walter Koenig, Robert Picardo, Manu Intiraym and Tim Russ.

Take a look at one of the official teaser trailers for Star Trek: Renegades.......

So let's see; that's Greek myth/fantasy, Star Wars and Star Trek nerds catered for - and if like me you fall into all three of those camps, well, need I say any more?.....

Let me provide you with a few bites of information about the lovely Adrienne....

"Adrienne Wilkinson may be best known for playing Livia/Eve, the sometimes warrior, sometimes saint, daughter of Xena on the TV series "Xena: Warrior Princess," the most widely watched show in the world during its six year run. She started on television in an episode of "Sweet Valley High," and moved on to "Saved By The Bell: The New Class," "Chicken Soup for the Soul," and had several guest appearances on MTV's show "Undressed." She starred as Nikki on the US version of the dramedy series, "As If." She has appeared in guest spots on the series "Angel," as a cheeky flapper from the 1920s; as Linda Browning in NBC's popular soap opera "Days of Our Lives;" 'Phoebe in disguise' on the eighth season premiere of the WB show "Charmed;" Melody on the ABC show "Eyes;" and was the love interest of Dr. Ray Barnett on the hit NBC drama "ER," where the plot of a spectacular building collapse nearly killed her character. Her most recent projects include playing Captain Lexxa Singh in "Star Trek: Renegades," as well as series regular roles in the sitcom "Goodnight Burbank" and the soap "Venice: The Series." Adrienne has also recently starred in "The American Failure," "Cyril," and the action/horror film "Raze" as well as as radio series "Suspense."

Her film career includes the lead role in "Reflections," (directed by Barry Caldwell and starring Zoe Bell, James Morrison, Louis Lombardi, Jim Beaver, and Matt Long), and "Lakeshore Drive," (written and directed by Michael Grais and starring Adrienne and Peter Dobson). She also appeared in the film "Pomegranate," was the female lead in the Sci-Fi channel film "Alpha Force" and Missy Blue in the film "The American Failure." Adrienne's producer credits include the films "Perfection" and "Seconds," which showcases a woman's triumph over depression and self-injury.

She is sought after for her voice over work, which includes more than 50 characters in video games, cartoons, and commercials. She stars as the voice and on camera likeness of female Jedi Maris Brood in the "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" video game franchise and can be heard as the character 'Daughter' in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

Adrienne is also known for her charity work, which includes a focus on literacy programs, animal welfare, and children. Her website (www.ADRIENNEWILKINSON.com) hosts an annual charity auction each November which helps to support families dealing with medical expenses."

THE INTERVIEW BIT.......

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Q) It's safe to say no doubt that Xena: Warrior Princess hit something of a chord on so many levels. What are your memories of playing the deliciously dangerous hellcat that was Eve?

She was a hellcat, wasn't she!  I have what feels like endless memories of that adventure...memories of the cast and crew and of New Zealand in general.   To this day it is one of my favorite jobs.  I loved getting to shoot such an epic show, in such an extraordinary location and nothing was better than getting to work with that cast.  I remain friends with most of them to this day.  It was a truly wonderful experience. 

Q)  Besides the obvious reasons why we guys loved the show, it also reasonated strongly amongst women. Why do you think this was so? 

I think Xena was ground breaking television.  It was rare at the time to have a show helmed by a woman, and even more rare to have her be a bit of an anti-hero or 'not perfect', and rarer  still to be a woman of action.    I think the show resonated mainly because of the performances that were able to capture the nuances of humanity and the journey of redemption the lead character was on.   Sure, everyone  likes to watch a beautiful woman kick some ass...but if that was all the show consisted of, people would have grown bored in one season.   What kept people interested was the emotional journey the characters were on and the obstacles they were facing and challenges they would overcome.    Xena was a heroic figure...but also beautifully flawed and human and that made her someone so many people could relate to as they were on their own journeys of love and redemption and survival.

Q) So how many Xena swords/costumes did you manage to keep & do you secretly wear them when the mood arises?! :-)  

I wish I could have!   At the end of the show all of the props and costumes were auctioned, so sadly I was unable to keep anything.   I think almost everything is owned by the fans at this point.   There are 2 items in particular that I wish I had been able to keep - one was the helmet, which was so cool, and I also loved the wrist gauntlets. 

Q) Fans of Star Wars: The Force unleashed game will know you as the voice of Maris Brood. Was the character modelled on you? Because the resemblance is noticeable.  

Yes, myself and the other 4 main characters were the physical models as well as the voices of the characters.   We not only recorded the material but did all of the motion capture and filming required to create the game.

Q) How do find the process as an actor doing work such as that and did they film your mannerisms/expressions as well as put the voice to the character? 

I loved working on that project.  We recorded the voice work over a period of about a year and half, but the majority of it was filmed over the course of about 3 weeks at The Presidio in San Francisco - where LucasArts was located.    We filmed it inside their large voice studio - but we were not only recording voice, we were all set up in our motion capture gear and we were performing the scenes as full scenes with physicality and not just voice - and we were able to record with each other (where most voice work is done alone).  The sessions were also filmed and all of those pieces were married together to create the final product.

Yup.

Q) You will be appearing in the upcoming Scifi series NOBILITY alongside a friend of The Fifth Dimension, the lovely Ellen Dubin. What can you tell us about the series & your role in it?   

Yes, so thrilled to be working with Ellen on this project.  She and I play 'Eujins' which is a futuristic and superior race of humans that is at odds with 'regular' humans.  I play Lt. Ara Eris, her second in command and  am a bit of a 'bull dog'.   My job is to protect her and I take it very seriously.  

Q) I asked Ellen to dish some dirt on another friend of The Fifth Dimension, Bill Oberst Jr, but she couldn't. So how's your chance to give me the real insight on Ellen Dubin. Queen Diva, right??!! 

Love Ellen.   Can't say a bad word about her.   Working with Ellen is like dancing or playing jazz - we just naturally gel and are able to coordinate with each other effortlessly.    It was an absolute blast to get to work with her.

Q) The upcoming brand new Star Trek series STAR TREK: RENEGADES is getting all us Trekkies in a bit of giddy excitement.  Are you ready for just how serious Trek fans take this stuff?! 

"Boldy going" etc etc etc.......

I think I am.  I feel like the Xena  and Star Wars fans were a great way to prep me for the inevitable attention that this Star Trek project will receive.   The property is so beloved that I know we won't be able to make everyone happy - but we are certainly working hard to make this project sizzle on screen.   It is a darker Star Trek than has ever been on screen.   It is entirely loyal to the world of Trek, but also shows parts that have been unexplored by now.   The great part of production is that 1/2 of the cast were Trek veterans and 1/2 of us were new to the franchise - so it was this great mix that created this potential new series.

Q) How much  can you tell us about the character of Lexxa Singh?   

Lexxa is a decentness of Khan Noonien Singh.  She is genetically gifted and has a very complicated backstory that has left her full of anger and with revenge on her mind.   She is the captain of what is essentially a black-ops team.   Doing the missions that have to be done, but that can't be publicly acknowledged.

Standing room only for a radio show...

Q) I've been lucky enough to have heard a number of episodes of the excellent radio drama series SUSPENSE from Blue House Productions. I believe you appeared in about 18 of the 24 episodes of season 1. How does your acting, in terms of how you use your voice, differ when doing a radio piece than say, TV?

  

On radio you can be far 'bigger' than you would be on screen.   Suspense is especially fun because you are free to be so over the top and dramatic.  But aside from that, I don't find that I change how I use my voice.   I think the voice is one of the strongest elements that creates a character and I pay close attention to how I use that with any character regardless of it being on camera of off. 

Q) I have to congratulate you on the COOL AIR episode in particular , as a H.P Lovecraft 'freak' I was pleased that it remained relatively faithful to the source material. Had you read the story before? 

No, that particular story was new to me, but I loved it.   So alternately creepy and compelling.  I love that SUSPENSE is a mix of old material revisited and new material with a retro flair it gives us a lot of themes to play with and multiple perspectives on those themes.

Q) So what does the future hold for Adrienne Wilkinson? 

I hope everyone will follow Star Trek Renegades - it will be released later this year.  And there are many fun projects on my plate at the moment including a fun guest-star appearance on Star Trek Continues as well!    The best way to keep up with me is to visit:  www.AdrienneWilkinson.com  and www.imdb.me/adriennewilkinson

I'd like to say a huge thank you to Adrienne for taking the time out of her incredibly busy schedule to chat with me, and in the process, make a long-time Xena-phile very very happy.

So check out her official Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneWilkinsonOfficial?fref=ts

Adrienne's Twitter link is @Yo_AdrienneW

The website for the Nobility series can be located HERE

The Blue Hours Productions website, which produces the Suspense radio series, can be found RIGHT HERE

The website for the much anticipated new Star Trek: Renegades can be found RIGHT HERE

Starfall sci-fi webseries - support the Indiegogo campaign

At the beginning of January I published an interview with the legend that is actor Bill Oberst Jr. and specifically, his involvement with a brand new science fiction project - Starfall, an exciting new science fiction webseries due to air in 2015. At the time of writing this (3.23pm on Sat 24th Jan 2014 if you really want to be precise) there have been nearly 2000 views of the blog article - and more keep being added each day. 

A couple of weeks ago I published another interview, this time with the very talented and ever so delicious actress, Ellen Dubin regarding her varied acting career and similar involvement with the Starfall project. At the time of writing (now 3.28........ so sue me, I'm a slow typist!) there have been going on 1000 views of the blog piece, and once again the number is steadily increasing each day.

So far I have identified and narrowed down the reasons for these pleasingly high numbers of visits in such a short period of time to my blog to three equally strong possibilities;

1) The lure of a brand new webseries that boasts a superlative cast backed by a production team full of genuine passion and intent to produce quality science fiction.

2) The substantial respective fan-bases of Mr Oberst Jr. & Miss Dubin.

3) The fabulous quality and dare I say it, perfection, of this blog.

Yes you've guessed it -  it's just any excuse for me to look at a picture 

of Ellen Dubin again.

Now of course I'm far too humble of a man to suggest that it must be the third of the above options. However let us just say that somewhere out there in the Universe on the distant Planet Stuey, the decision that all the success is quite simply all down to me has already been made. 

However my self delusion does seem to have some boundary it seems, as I will have to freely admit that the real reason for the popularity of my recent posts are due to a definite combination of the subject matter and the marvellous people I've already mentioned. I suppose for now I will just have to be satisfied with the knowledge that in one of my many alternate realities I am indeed the King Blogger of the world, and at this very moment am probably being refreshed by Lena Headey, Helena Bonham-Carter and Eva Green, who are all taking turns to serve me chilled drinks by a swimming pool while fighting with each other to decide which of them will fan me gently with an olive branch first......

So this week (back in reality) I had the opportunity to chat a little with Starfall creator and executive producer, John Ellis and so decided to pass on a little more information about the webseries and it's progress towards broadcast.

But before I go any further - let me send your way a quick reminder about what Starfall's story is..........

"Right chaps - I'd like your best hero pose......

but don't get in the way of Ellen..."

" The 150 years since the galaxy first knocked on Humanity's door was marked by a Solar System-wide civil war and nearly a century of human enslavement. Then came “emancipation,” heralding in a new era where human beings would be accepted as equal members of the galactic community.

It hasn't quite worked out that way.

Aboard the frigate Ardri Jennet, Lieutenant-Captain Will Hunter and his flawed, secretive crew—working for the same people who once promised, but failed to protect Humanity—now struggle against prejudice and bigotry in a galaxy that views humans as backward and barbaric. Certainly not equal.

Some very nice concept artwork of the ship's bridge

And a new threat will rise, one that challenges ethics, skews allegiances, overturns priorities. Hunter and his Jennies will battle external foes and intimate betrayals in their determination to do the right thing in a galaxy gone morally grey. And suddenly lethal.

This is STARFALL."

So what is the status of the series at this point? Well I'm glad you asked.

As I've previously mentioned, the pilot episode has been completed and will hopefully be ready after its post-production work for a release later this year. The major focus for the team is the current Indiegogo campaign, which has two main aims. 

The cast have a good laugh at the 2 who fell for the annual 

'glue someones fist to their head' competition.

The first is to provide a more informal appeal to those supporters who didn't get a chance to contribute to the Starfall webseries previously elsewhere. The second aim of the current Indiegogo push is to ensure that the funds they raise will go toward post-production (CGI, sound design, music) and marketing, to keep the team on track for the show's premier and their delivery of Perks. The rewards have been scaled back and simplified, to further ensure they can meet their obligations to the interested parties. 

The link for the Indiegogo page can be found at the bottom of this article or RIGHT HERE.

This is the major focus of the team right now. Essentially, the nature of independent sci-fi productions mean that the more people who read and hear about Starfall who in turn can be converted into fans and contributors the better. The team want to make this the very best thing that they can - with nothing held back.

The perks for contributors are suitably mouth-watering. For example, the initial offer is a basic Digital Swag Bag that consists of a special thanks in the credits, a Kindle or PDF of the prequel novel, "The Essence of Humanity," by J.E. Ellis plus a HD download of the webisode. The perks then steadily increase in excellence until the final offer which is a whole range of digital and hardback goodies, credits and incentives plus The Whole Shebang!  - Which is essentially a lifetime, all-access VIP pass to any Starfall event: cons, premiers, anything Starfall, anywhere, anytime. Does not include travel, lodging or meals, or any third-party event fees. But once you're there, you have complete access!

For a taster of what went in to the making of the pilot episode, then have a look at the video clip below......

The simple fact is that that John and the team are not satisfied with making what they believe is already a quality TV show, they intend it it be the most talked about and successful science fiction programme around!

So please my dear reader, pass the word around so that we can not only make the Indiegogo campaign a success but in turn become part of an exciting, rewarding and successful slice of space opera heaven!

The Facebook page for Starfall can be found RIGHT HERE

The Twitter link for Starfall can be found by searching for @StarfallTV

The Indie Go-Go link is https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/starfall