Bullcrank | News

News From Bullcrank

An Update!

february 5, 2008

It's been a work in progress for a while now... like a year and a half. We had trouble getting a website up that was quick, easy to use, focused on our films, and had a little extra stuff worth hanging around for after you'd seen them. A lot of different versions were tested and/or in the works, but nothing really materialized until Andy Gasper (fellow Bullcrank filmmaker and very close friend) took the reins. We'll still probably change and tweek things as we go... but atleast it's up and rolling.

Be sure to check back for updates, previews, and soon enough... really cool Bullcrank merch.

NEWS...

THE GREATEST FAN FILM OF ALL TIME

A lot of people visiting this site are doing it for one reason: to check on the status of our upcoming animated fan film. Well, true believers (you true comic nerds will get that one)... it's coming along. It's coming SLOWLY, but it's coming. Jacob Drake (JacobDrake.com) is animating it and I only see updated clips on occasion. The majority of the voicework is done, though some other stuff will surely need recorded later on. I can honestly say it's going to blow people away. It's just that good. It's our last fan film and I want to make the best one anybody has ever seen. I know that we're more than capable of that. Our two strengths right now are our writing and our animation. This gives you both at 100%. Voicework is being recorded by a LOT of different people, some famous, some just close friends.

I'll give you the synopsis. The heroes are gathering for a surprise birthday party for the man himself, Stan Lee (voiced by Vince Bruno in a way that will have people laughing their asses off). All is going seemingly well when Superman notices that Bruce and Dick (Batman and Nightwing...former Robin) are nowhere to be seen. That's because they're busy trying to stop a disaster from happening. Some famous old villains have hijacked the "Happy Birthday" blimp that's scheduled to fly over head and have different plans for it... plans that will turn the heroes into super paranoid, mindless killers. A superbrawl eventually breaks out and there are some iconic moments, including Superman vs. Hulk, the brutal death of a major character, and of course... the greatest good vs. evil finale in the history of superheroes. Now, on top of all that, the dialogue is some of the most clever and hilarious stuff we've written yet. All the things we all want somebody to say to each hero, be he Wolverine, Raphael, or Spider-Man are finally said. Even the Thundercats are there... and their overly long, drawn out monologues about the situation at hand have everybody falling asleep. It's going to be RADICULOUS (that's a tribute to the youtube videos) and it's going to be seen by millions. Be excited... be VERY excited.

THE WIMP WHOSE WOMAN WAS A WEREWOLF

With "Fan Film", my goal is to make the best fan film ever. With "Wolf", it's to prove that we can make an equally awesome live action original story. The script is sharp enough, the plot turns exciting enough... but CAN Bullcrank handle it's own in the live action world? Of course we can. There have been a lot of drawbacks. After all, filmmaking is a much more challenging beast than animation. Now, you have to deal with egos, you have to rely on other people, you have to (gulp) spend a crap load of money, and on top of all those things and more.. you still have to produce an entertaining film. We're working on it. Our monster stands at OVER nine feet tall. We have so many great ideas and resources at our disposal. The pressure is really on me to bring it all together and create something great. I love the challenge. It intimidates the hell out of me because on the technical level there's so much I still don't know (though our crew consists of people who DO and who help me). There's so much going on every single day I wake up in regards to this movie. I wake up and think "Okay, have to get fake guns", "Okay, have to secure locations", "Have to make sure we have a working XL1 to shoot on", "Have to double check and make sure we're cool on lighting and a boom mic"... "OH YEAH, I still have to make a good movie!" The support I've received from a select group of individuals impresses me to no end. A lot of players from the Cleveland film community have really stepped up and been very helpful. They know who they are. I have a hard time trusting people outside of our little Bullcrank clique, but they've still been very supportive and easy going. I might be that kid everybody says "has something special", but I still have a lot to learn. They're hanging with me and teaching me along the way. It's huge and I appreciate it a lot.

One bizarre turn of events was this... a friend of ours and professional wrestler named Michael Manna (Stevie Richards in WWE) was supposed to shoot with us on Wolf. He had to fall off because of throat surgery and I wasn't upset because the rescheduling worked for us a little better anyway. He had to go back for a second surgery on the exact date of the reschedule, which I was pretty pissed about. I felt like it was sort of a "f*ck you" that he rescheduled it on that date and I admit we didn't talk much after. I wasn't super mad, I just felt like I couldn't let it be a huge priority. Stevie has recorded voicework for "Fan Film", which I appreciate anyway so atleast he's still involved but I was upset because it's rare that you find somebody with name power who you actually LIKE and who actually has the same interests as you. Now, I'm able to get some big names on our project but again, I would prefer they be people we know, like, and trust. So... fast forward to about two days ago. I found out just how serious the operation was on Stevie's throat and I feel basically like the biggest jerk in the world. I apologized as soon as I read the article on it and he said not to worry about it. Even tho Stevie isn't in Wolf, it doesn't mean I don't have a plan B. I do, I just liked plan A a lot better. Read about the injury/surgery here:
http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/superstars/joeystyles/styles/122807mep

IN CLOSING

Things are rough but I'm more excited than ever about them. The break we took between Wolf shoots has me going over some stuff and I think a lot of the short will be better for it. One thing that not a lot of cast, crew, or fans know is that our premiere is going to be HUGE. We're taking this "down time" opportunity to put together some big ideas and to ensure that every minute spent on both projects will pay off. I mean, I have an idea for promoting both films that I believe will put us on the map more than we've ever been before. The gaps between Bullcrank projects is getting bigger... but that doesn't mean we're working less. It means that they are growing in size and quality and requiring more attention. It means that we're also growing as filmmakers. Nobody is more excited than I am... and I'm the only one who truly knows why. :0)

Also, if you want a more in depth explanation of things behind the scenes in a bit more personal manner... check my myspace at Myspace.com/LarryFilmmaker