Now that I'm finally getting into the film industry, I want to make the movie I've wanted to make for awhile before I get there, as I may not have
another chance. So I'm currently in production of a feature length Puppet Master fanfilm, that I plan to have complete by October 12, 2009 (If I'm
correct and October 12, 1989 was the release date of the original). This film is not only a love letter to the series, but my personal commentary on B-movie/
low budget horror film making in general, and how it exists today. Anyway, the movie's about a film student who is entirely obsessed with the Puppet
Master series, and who dreams of producing the ultimate puppet master movie. His dreams come true when he discovers that the films may actually have happened,
or at least that the puppets exist. He sets up shop at the Bodega Bay Inn and lures in a group of fledgling actors, each doing the film for their own reasons,
and tells them that they'll be spending a night in the supposedly haunted hotel, as an audition to prove if they're worthy for the film, when really he
has an entirely different plan for them.
The idea, admittedly, sounds hokey on paper but I definitely believe I made it work in the script. I hope to capture the tone of the first two films, as I
believe they were the only two true horror films in the series (although 3 is my favorite). Also, to get it out of the way and not cause uproar halfway through
production, yes I will be using the replicas. However, I've contacted a professional puppeteer/ film maker who is also a big fan of the series, and I got
her on board. The film has been in my head for a while, but when I got to thinking about the more exploitative side of moder horror movies, especially in the
straight to video market (and it's a route I see Charlie taking more and more lately) I couldn't help but look at various directors and think, "If
they actually hade the monster at their disposal, would they use it?" And thus the film was born.
Puppet Master fanfilm
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 Natman |
Puppet Master fanfilm |
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Posts: 83 (08/25/08 08:59:36) |
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fullmoonfan1980 |
Now THIS is a fan film........... | ||
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Posts: 80 (08/25/08 11:26:59) |
This is an amazing fan film I saw as I was browsing YouTube awhile back.
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Afzel |
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Posts: 67 (08/25/08 17:22:59) |
You guys should also check out "the Legacy of Andre Toulon." It chronicles the history of Toulon through the first three movies and, with the
Godfather music playing, it makes him seem like a tragic anti-hero. It's really well done.
"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit, you old hag... God, where have I heard that before?"
www.gummibearboy.deviantart.com
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babyteeth |
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Posts: 93 (08/25/08 18:17:48) |
Good idea, Natman! Though, I believe "Curse" could be considered a horror film as well...
Something you should explore is how everyone calls the PM series pathetic and stupid, those big gorehound guys who think the bigger killer/kill-count/blood spray the better... Hmm, going with the focus on PMI&II, the main character should be one of those who complains about the puppets being good guys himself... Maybe have one scene where the former character complains to the latter that the PM series sucks, only for the latter to contest that "it only became bad when the puppets fought the Nazis in part 3"! XD The main guy should constantly curse Charlie, until meeting him some ways into the film. There he finds out that Charlie is a hardassed but intelligent guy who was keeping the secret in order to keep the series attributed to him instead of true events ("Or, God forbid, David Shmoeller", he remarks). Anyhow, I have the highest hopes that you'll get 'er done and done good, maybe even before Charlie does XD. Say hello to your puppeteer for me, it's excellent that someone both likes the series and knows puppetry! You must decapitate the Activitron! ...For great justice! |
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Natman |
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Posts: 85 (08/25/08 19:07:18) |
Thanks for the kind words, babyteeth, the characters do know their shit about the series, but the main character still shares my views that even in the first
two films the puppets aren't evil. Their abilities can fall into the wrong hands depending on the master, and his own level of sanity (ironic as this is
exactly what happens). Mostly, in the beginning, he just bitches about Toulon's German accent in Puppet Master II and how it is the one unforgivable
mistake in the series ("makes Sestero look too good for comfort"). Anyway, as a bit of a teaser, here are the cast notes:
Damien Blaylock- a small, but somehow imposing presence. A film student absolutely obsessed with the Puppet Master films, and who will stop at nothing to make the ultimate entry in the series. Attractive, though he doesn't notice it and it is the last thing on his mind. This film he's making is all he sees. It is unclear whether making the film drives him insane, or the puppets are merely an outlet for his madness.
Dernham Sullivan- Damien's friend, though he has a good head on his shoulders, and is not obsessed to the level of his friend. When he sees the lengths to which Damien is willing to go, he is confronted with the choice of doing what's right or losing his only true friend.
Chloe Kelley- The first aspiring actress contacted to appear in the film, she's a bit of a diva, unfamiliar with the series, but not cliché. Obviously attractive, and is holding out on her looks to break her into the industry before her acting does. That's why she's working on this film. Though the character she's playing in Damien's movie is little more than an excuse for a gore/nudity scene, Chloe herself is the film's true lead.
Cole Dodgson- The 'male lead' of Damien's ultimate puppet master flick. He harkens back to the days of Puppet Master II's Michael, a strong and attractive, cliché look for a male lead, though he is unsure of the quality of the film he's working on, and really only doing the film to get closer to Chloe… even though he's too afraid to even ask her out.
Simone Phillips- The 'female lead' of Damien's film, though her heart's in the wrong place. She's personally not fond of Damien himself at all, and is in the film for little more than the money, which is very little. When Damien makes his offer to have the cast stay in the hotel for a night, Simone bargains her way into being paid then, so she can stay one night and make off with the money in the morning. However, she is not as big a bitch as she seems, and is not fond of her motives, as the only reason she needs money so bad is to fuel a drug addiction that's driving her life.
David Wheaton- Not actually even an actor, or related at all to the university's film department, he has a good sense of humor and is doing the film to help out his sick grandmother, and because Damien has an "honest face". |
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Afzel |
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Posts: 68 (08/26/08 08:35:28) |
I'll be looking forward to seeing some more mysterious little shadows moving around in the background of dark, moody hotel rooms like in the first one.
It's important not to show too much of anything, especially the puppets (Active), otherwise you lose the mystery, which is really what makes a horror movie
scary. Not the monsters.
"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit, you old hag... God, where have I heard that before?"
www.gummibearboy.deviantart.com
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Natman |
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Posts: 86 (08/26/08 11:47:42) |
I really want to capture the original's tone, though there were a lot of scenes where the puppets were shown just wandering about the hotel (mostly Blade)
but I want to keep the mystery, especially given my nonexistent budget, and the fact the mystery, not the monsters, is what's scary is essentially what the
movie's about.
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Natman |
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Posts: 93 (02/15/09 15:10:33) |
Ok. Script has undergone a rewrite or two, and the project got kind of put on the backburner when I was offered a job on an upcoming, official Stephen King
adaption. But now my PM script is complete, filming will begin the second week in May.
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Rusty58 |
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Posts: 356 (02/15/09 15:20:07) |
So where are you actually filming it at?
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Tunneler11 |
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Posts: 326 (02/15/09 15:37:19) |
Oooo Can't wait. By the way Curse of the puppet master was good to me. I liked it. It might not of followed a story line, but hell not all movies do.
@ Babytheeth: you are so right about Curse of the puppet master. 
Tunneler Joey Carp: " You're not doing nothing that I can see, except standing here like a fucking moron! " |
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Natman |
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Posts: 94 (02/15/09 16:31:25) |
Well, to answer Rusty's question, I wanted a gothic horror feel, and got someone to let me film it at a spectacular mansion on the coast of Maine. Not sure
how to post a pic, or I would.
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Rusty58 |
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Posts: 357 (02/15/09 16:55:05) |
Just go to www.photobucket.com, create an account, upload an image, and then come back here, click the mountain icon above on the toolbar, copy the address
from photobucket, and then paste it in the html address box here.
Not too hard at all. |
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Natman |
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Posts: 96 (02/15/09 17:08:06) |
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Rusty58 |
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Posts: 358 (02/15/09 17:11:14) |
Man, that is niiiceee!
Keep us updated on your progress! Anyway you might post a link to the script? |
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Natman |
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Posts: 97 (02/15/09 17:21:14) |
I'll definitely keep everyone updated as it progresses, and will probably post a link to the script eventually.
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Abe |
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Posts: 174 (02/15/09 18:23:58) |
Hmm a gothic vibe sounds interesting, kinda like they did with Bride of Chucky. Will we be expecting any new Puppets, which would be great but if not oh well!
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Natman |
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Posts: 98 (02/15/09 18:33:47) |
I did do a design for a new puppet, but I doubt it will make it into the film. I want to keep the six puppets from the first two movies, because the film is an
homage to those. But who knows, maybe my new puppet will make an appearance.
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Abe |
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Posts: 175 (02/15/09 18:42:51) |
6 so I take it 6Shooter wont be in it?
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Natman |
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Posts: 99 (02/15/09 18:56:00) |
Correct. Blade, Tunneler, Leech Woman, Pinhead, Jester and Torch will be the puppets appearing in the film. Given the amount of time, a seventh, new puppet
seems pretty unlikely.
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Abe |
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Posts: 176 (02/15/09 19:37:32) |
Now what do you have planned for Torch's effects is it gonna be CGI or real flames? In a secure area where no harm of flames will be done.
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Abe |
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Posts: 176 (02/15/09 19:37:32) |
Now what do you have planned for Torch's effects is it gonna be CGI or real flames? In a secure area where no harm of flames will be done.
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