My Inteview with 'Ax Wound' Zine

Last fall, I did an interview with Hannah Neurotica from the 'Ax Wound' zine regarding Women's Studies. It's now available online.

Read Hannah Neurotica's interview with Women's Studies writer/director, Lonnie Martin.

Also have you pre-ordered your DVD copy of Women's Studies yet?

WOMEN'S STUDIES Available NOW on PPV/VOD!!

Women's Studies is up on the following Cable/Sat operators in their Video-On Demand/Pay-Per-View sections and will run from May 1st through July 31st.

Charter
Verizon FiOS
Mediacom
Rogers Cable (Canada)
Insight Communications
DISH Network (VOD)
RCN
Armstrong Cable
Bend Cable
Blue Ridge Cable
Buckeye Cable Systems
Cameron Communications
Cincinnati Bell
CL Tel
Click
Community Television Company
D&E Communications
Duo County Telecom
EPB of Chattanooga
Guadalupe Valley
Hotwire
HTC Conway Telco
INS (Des Moines)
Massilon
MUS Fiber Net
NTELOS
NuLInk
One Source
San Bruno Municipal Cable
Service Electric Cable
VTMS
Wave Broadband Cable
Wilkes Barre Cable
Wilson Cable

New WOMEN'S STUDIES trailer & DVD artwork!

Fangoria has the third and final trailer for Women's Studies as well as details on the DVD. Check it out!

Also take a look at the final DVD artwork!

Women’s Studies Date Changes

Below is the latest Women's Studies press release with information on both our Pay-Per-View/Video-On-Demand release on May 1, 2010 as well as our NEW DVD release date which has been bumped up to June 8, 2010.

Women’s Studies finally on it’s Way to Audiences

VOD/Pay-Per-View Release May 1st, 2010

DVD Release June 8th, 2010

It’s a new year with new distribution for Northern VA based Ningen Manga Productions first feature film, Women’s Studies. Personifying the phrase “never give up”, they recently inked a deal to distribute the film. Who’s distributing? R-Squared Films, an Arizona based company who launched their first titles last year with a focus on new media, VOD, pay-per-download, and broadcast as well as traditional DVD release.

Not only do they have a new distributor, it’s also a new version of the film. The cut that R-Squared will be releasing May 1st and June 8th is streamlined: 10 minutes shorter than the initial cut of Women’s Studies, though footage and scenes have been added back in. Additionally, a voice over by the character of Mary, runs throughout the film, telling the story in a different perspective.

Director, Lonnie Martin, and his post-production crew went back and re-edited the film in August of 2009. “We were back at square one. The indie market faltered. Our first distributor pulled out. Needing to search for distribution all over again, we figured having a new product to show couldn’t hurt,” says Martin. “We’d all had a year to think about how the movie could be made better, so it was a blessing really, to be able to go back in and make some of the adjustments. I think the new cut is closer to my original vision. I’m pleased.”

And Ningen Manga Productions couldn’t be more pleased with R-Squared Films. “I’m excited to work with the team at R-Squared”, says Cindy Marie Martin who plays Mary in the film and co-produces with Lonnie. “They are very communicative, and their excitement about the film is contagious. Of course we’re excited about it, it’s our first baby and we know how much love and sweat went into it by all the cast and crew. With R2, we feel like they share our excitement about the film and we really feel like they believe in it. It’s in good hands.”

Cindy is also the marketing director for Ningen Manga Productions. What does she have in store for the lead up to the long anticipated Women’s Studies release? “We’re going to do some conventions, of course”, says Martin. “Our first convention is HorrorHound Weekend March 26-28 in Indianapolis. I’m already set to attend the convention as Helena, Hussy of Horror and take part in the Vampira Tribute they’re having, so we’ll take some Women’s Studies material with us. More convention appearances will be posted on the website as we confirm them. We also have some giveaways and contests up our sleeve that we’ll run in conjunction with various press outlets.”

“I get a lot of emails about when the movie is coming out,” adds Lonnie. “It’s really awesome that audiences are finally going to get a chance to see Women’s Studies.” Check your local cable/satellite provider for Pay-Per-View listings.

'WOMEN'S STUDIES' to be released on JUNE 15th.

So says Fangoria!

I know it's been awhile since I've blogged. I'm in the process of revamping the Ningen Manga Productions website which is going to incorporate a blog of some sort.

That said, you WILL be able to get all the Women's Studies release news here. Fear you not.

For now, save the date: June 15th.

New Helena - Jaws 3 and Hellraiser

I know. I've been awful about updating the blog. There's been a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes in cluding Women's Studies news. It hopefully won't be too much longer before I can spill some secrets.

In the meantime, tide yourself over with Helena, Hussy of Horror's July Jaws 3 video as well the teaser for next week's Hellraiser one.

New Helena! Crystal Lake's Girl Friday (the 13th)

Helena, Hussy of Horror has a new summer job at this camp they're reopening. If only she could find the place.

New 'Helena' Coming Next Week

Helena, Hussy of Horror is heading out to this camp they're reopening. Apparently some bad stuff happened there opnce . . .

Helena, Hussy of Horror Launches New Web Series

Helena, your local Hussy of Horror, launched her spanky new website last week with “Drinks with Swamp Thing”. You can view her new digs at www.HussyofHorror.com.

She’ll be hosting a new 80’s Horror video each month in conjunction with the www.ILikethe80s.com blog. If you like the 80’s, this is the collection of pop culture for you. Began by local legend Joey Cabrera, you can find everything from Pac Man energy drinks to Marky Mark to She-Ra.

Helena is also Caretaker’s guest of honor on The Graveyard Show this week, Thursday, June 4th. The podcast will post around midnight on Thursday and can be accessed on the Graveyard Show website: www.GraveyardShow.com.

Watch "Drinks With Swamp Thing" below:

Accolades & Screenings

I've been getting a lot of notice recently for various work I've done. It's been quite nice actually.

--Deadlands: The Rising, a zombie script I co-wrote with Gary Ugarek, was chosen as one of eight finalists out of 700 entries into the Bridge International Screenplay Competition.

--Motivation, a short film I co-wrote with Kelly "Diane" Slagle's Cavegirl Productions for the 2009 DC 48 Hour Film Project, was chosen for the "Best Of" screening which occurs this Thursday, May 21 at 7:00pm. Click here for screening details and to purchase tickets.

--Finally, my short film Under the Bed which I wrote all by my lonesome will screen at the A Nightmare to Remember Film Festival in San Francisco, CA on June 20th. Click the link above for details.

Women's Studies Screening in Chicago, IL - April 25, 2009

WOMEN'S STUDIES will screen in Chicago, Illinois ONE NIGHT ONLY as part of Horror Society's "Women in Horror" Film Festival.

The screening of WS and other films will take place from 5pm to 12am on Saturday, April 25 at the Portage Theater on 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave in Portage Park, Chicago.

For more information, check out the festival website.

Maynard Gordon Website Live

The website for Ningen Manga's new project, The Curse of Maynard Gordon, is now live. Look for additional information including concept art and a plot synopsis to be added later this spring.

www.MaynardCameBack.com

Conceptualizing

Spring is almost here! I'm definitely glad to see this winter say "au revoir." It's been a rough one.

Things at Ningen Manga HQ have been busy as Cindy and I get ready for a jam packed 2009. Women's Studies inches ever close to it's fall DVD release. I'm hoping to have some announcements about that within the next few months. We've also got some exciting things brewing with NMP's new mascot, Helena, Hussy of Horror.

The big project we've been working on is preparation on our second feature film. While we're still not ready to make an official announcement, a lot has been happening behind the scenes. Personally, I'm very excited about this new script. It's a great step forward from Women's Studies, and I think it's going to really challenge NMP's production crew.

Over the past couple months, I've had the great pleasure of working once again with Rich Aidley, an artist based in the UK. Rich worked on the concept art for Women's Studies which was a big part of helping to get the film on it's feet from both a production and design point of view.

How's the process work?

We start out with script pages. I send Rich a copy of a sequence from the script I'd like to see conceptualized. After some back and forth, we settle on a part of the scene which we think will make the best art piece. (Click on the page to actually read the text.)



Then Rich draws up a series of thumbnail sketches for me to choose which "shot" I like best.



I choose shot #1.



Based on that thumbnail, Rich draws up a larger version of the shot in pencils, then inks and colors it. (For details on that process, check out this great video on his blog.) When all is said and done, we end up with the below picture. Click on it for a bigger version!



And what is this mysterious scene about? To find that out, you're simply going to have to come back for a future blog . . . though if you dig around Ningen Manga's various websites, you may find some clues.


(All content on this page is (c) 2009, Ningen Manga Productions.)

Don't Believe Everything You Read On the Internet

Happy New Year from NMP!

Whew! I made it through 2008 intact, albeit frazzled.

It was an up and down year for me personally with lots of challenges. Of course, it was also the year that Women's Studies saw completion, so I'm not feeling bad at all. As tough as 2008 was at some points, it was also very rewarding. The times that test us are the times that make us who we are.

2009 looks to be promising. Women's Studies will finally be released! I'm working on a couple of events/screenings to coincide with that. Keep checking back here for the latest news.

Also, regular blog postings are out the window from here on out. I could post Tuesday or I could post on Saturday. I could post once a week, three times a week, or once a month. You'll just have to keep checking back to see what I do.

To all of the faithful Ningen Mangaloids (and everyone else too), have a great, fulfilling, and hopeful 2009. Cindy and I send our best to you.

Oh, and Maynard too. I hear he's coming back.

Fall 2009 DVD Release for Women's Studies

Just got the word today.

I'll announce further details in 2009, but look for various events to take place in the months ahead as we build-up to the release.

(I'm giddy as a Ross-Prentiss schoolgirl after her first kill.)

Transitional Period

For those individuals who badger me weekly about the blog and are always like, "Why is there no new blog? I hate my job and I need something to read to pass the time. PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!" know that you're loved.

I've been thinking recently about a way to transition this from a Women's Studies only blog to a general Ningen Manga Productions one. Most of what I've been working on recently have been projects other than Women's Studies. With what's in the NMP pipeline, that looks to be the case for the considerable future.

"And what IS in the pipeline?" you may well ask. Basically, NMP is laying the groundwork for 2009.

New Script
I've spent the past month working on a script with my old and dear friend, San Francisco based writer Jason Headley. It's my first true collaboration with another writer where we've built a story and script from the ground up. The experience has been both rewarding and a learning experience and I'm pretty excited to see how the final product ends up. (Before anybody asks, the script isn't intended to be produced by Cindy and I. Jason and I are hoping to sell it on spec.)

Helena, Hussy of Horror
Cindy has been doing some legal/business planning in order to take Helena to the next level. She and I produced a Helena introduction for Gary Ugarek's Deadlands 2: Trapped which recently played at the Queens International Film Festival in New York City where DL2 was nominated for "Best Horror Film." Helena's short will also play with DL2 at Cinequest in L.A. in March of '09. You can watch it below.



Women's Studies DVD Release
2009 will see the North American DVD release of Women's Studies. An announcement with details could come at any time. (I'm not being coy here. I simply don't know.)

NMP's Next Project?
Some preliminary steps have been taken towards getting Ningen Manga's next feature project off the ground. Some recent developments have put into question just exactly what the project may be, but truth be told these are good problems to have. Lots of issues are still up in the air, but early 2009 will hopefully bring an official announcement.

Blog
Look for the blog to start morphing into it's next iteration as we approach the New Year as well. Don't worry. It'll still be me doing it, just with fancier clothes.

VOTE!!!

"The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it; but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it."

--Anne Louise Germaine de Stael

Hussies, Zombies, & Lady Killers

It's been a busy month since my last blog posting. Aside from working on some scripts as well as distribution for Women's Studies, I've had a couple other projects taking up my time.

First off, co-producer and Women's Studies actor Cindy Marie Martin has entered the 2008 Miss Horrorfest Contest and has until THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17th at MIDNIGHT to accumulate “viewings” and “ratings" and hopefully qualify as a finalist.

Simply view the video below then go to YouTube and rate it. Seriously, check it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.



Fun, eh? By the way, the video was written and directed by yours truly and shot and edited by Deadlands creator Gary Ugarek.

Speaking of Deadlands, I spent a recent weekend working as First Assistant Director on the final shoot of Gary's Deadlands 2: Trapped. (Sick as a dog I might add.) You may remember from previous blogs that the movie premieres on Saturday, October 25 in Hagerstown, Maryland. (Directions and ticket information can be found here.)

There's a couple of pictures below. More pictures can be found here.


Me setting up a shot on the set of Deadlands 2: Trapped.


"Zombies . . . creep me out."

And Women's Studies? It's inching closer to a release date. "Inching" being the operative word. One thing I've learned in the past year is that the movie business has two speeds: "snail" and "stop."

That aside, there's some exciting news coming soon. Keep checking back.

Something on the Horizon?

Wow. Has it really been almost a month since I've blogged? Time flies when you're never home.

Over the past ten weeks, I've basically spent every weekend travelling somewhere or another. This coming weekend is the first where I have nowhere to be, and you can bet your ass I'll go nowhere too. (Actually that's probably not true, but it's a nice dream.)

So what's up with Women's Studies? Well, before long there may be LOTS up with it. Unfortunately, I can't go into details quite yet. Soon though. I promise. However, let's just say that steps have been taken, interest has been shown, and Women's Studies inches ever closer toward the hands and hearts of an eagerly awaiting audience.

That's all I can say. And for those of you who have my contact information, hassling me about it won't get you any additional details. In fact, don't be surprised if you automatically get my voicemail, so let's hope there's no sort of life threatening emergency where you need me right at that moment.

In the meantime, I've been helping Gary Ugarek finish up his latest zombie epic, Deadlands 2: Trapped.

("Isn't that the one you wrote?" I hear you ask. No, it isn't. A deal is starting to move forward with that script as well, but again, things aren't quite to the point where details can be revealed. Plus, that'll be Gary's announcement to make, not mine.)

I don't really have an official title on DL2 though I'll be acting as Assistant Director on an upcoming shoot he has planned. (And if you have my contact info and want to help out, leave me one of those emergency voice/e-mails.) I've been acting as a consultant more than anything, being a second pair of eyes and ears for rough cuts, polishing a few script pages, and acting as a sounding board for different ideas. I've seen lots of clips and the movie is a vast improvement over Gary's first film, Deadlands: The Rising.

A première has been set for October 25th in Hagerstown, MD which since there's still stuff to be shot, makes me kind of nervous. But hey, it isn't my show, is it?

More on Deadlands 2: Trapped, including a trailer and screening information can be found at www.playingwithdeadthings.com .