In 2007, Brian Lamia teamed up with Spanish director, J.J. DeRiomol to form Weird Films, a collaborative to produce television pilots and festival films and eventually theatrical features. In 2008, we were joined by award-winning screenwriter Al Chiaino, to form a creative partnership. Our goal is to make inexpensive television shows with a dark and gothic appeal.
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
A short film and television concept:
THE SHADOW TRAVELER
The Shadow Traveler
At the end of the 19th century, a respected doctor, Phil Ward, receives a letter from his old friend and recently renounced scientist, Ed Carnaby. In the letter, Carnaby explains he has discovered a method to project his mind through time. But there's a catch and he needs his friend's help to live through it. But even among friends, not everything is what it seems and sometimes simple favors can cost you everything. Old magic, mad scientists and forbidden manuscripts bring us back to the old horror stories of Poe, Lovecraft and Dunsany and the spirit of the old shows like Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt and Tales from the Darkside.
Context for "The Shadow Traveler"
The Shadow Traveler is a short film/TV pilot produced by J.J. DeRiomol & Brian Lamia in 2007. It basically started as an experiment for them to achieve a very specific aesthetic and quality of image on the lowest possible budget by utilizing the latest hi-def cameras capable of a "film-level" resolution and shooting in a "theatrical style" with cheap sets, costumes and very dramatic acting.
They are both big fans of period pieces, especially westerns, that have stories involving elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. With this project they were trying to find a way to blend some of them together into one cohesive aesthetic. Together with a simple storyline and unbelievable characters, they wanted to achieve something close to their favorite shows from childhood like "Tales of the Crypt", Twilight Zone" & "Tales from the Darkside" as well as movies from John Carpenter and Roger Corman as these were very strong influences on them.
For this project they chose the Victorian/Edwardian era with its ornate and complex textile patterns, deep and dark color palettes and candle focused lighting scheme.
Recent films such as "From Hell" & "The Illusionist" used this look to great effect and while neither were great films, they did enough business to show that this style is growing in popularity with audiences and is an oft overlooked period in regards to modern television and film projects as has trends such as "Steampunk" and "Retro-Industrial" (mixing technologies from different eras into the context of pre-industrialization).
Over the course of year with this project it has evolved into several scripts for a television series and a spin-off idea for a feature film. The stories are loosely based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft and take place in Victorian times with a very dark, creepy feel to them.
The Shadow Traveler is currently being entered in festivals around the globe.
They are both big fans of period pieces, especially westerns, that have stories involving elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. With this project they were trying to find a way to blend some of them together into one cohesive aesthetic. Together with a simple storyline and unbelievable characters, they wanted to achieve something close to their favorite shows from childhood like "Tales of the Crypt", Twilight Zone" & "Tales from the Darkside" as well as movies from John Carpenter and Roger Corman as these were very strong influences on them.
For this project they chose the Victorian/Edwardian era with its ornate and complex textile patterns, deep and dark color palettes and candle focused lighting scheme.
Recent films such as "From Hell" & "The Illusionist" used this look to great effect and while neither were great films, they did enough business to show that this style is growing in popularity with audiences and is an oft overlooked period in regards to modern television and film projects as has trends such as "Steampunk" and "Retro-Industrial" (mixing technologies from different eras into the context of pre-industrialization).
Over the course of year with this project it has evolved into several scripts for a television series and a spin-off idea for a feature film. The stories are loosely based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft and take place in Victorian times with a very dark, creepy feel to them.
The Shadow Traveler is currently being entered in festivals around the globe.
A children's television show for broadcast & cable:
"MR. TOOMES' LIBRARY"
Mr. Toomes' Library
Mr. Toome's Library is a children's television show currently in development about a creepy librarian who hosts detention after school for those who get caught breaking the rules. Down in the basement of a seemingly ordinary middle school is the scariest library you would ever hope NOT to visit. Once you get detention you are sent to spend a half hour with ..."Mr. Toomes", the librarian from hell that reads them a tale from his vast collection of dusty old books. All of the tales take place in a different time & place and each is a morality tale involving a similar misdeed as the student in detention hearing the tale.
In the style of "Goosebumps" and "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" this show is designed for the after school cable or public television market and is intended to appeal to kids approximately 8-14 years old.
In the style of "Goosebumps" and "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" this show is designed for the after school cable or public television market and is intended to appeal to kids approximately 8-14 years old.
A feature Film for festivals and theatrical release:
LOVE LIGHTS
Love Lights
In 1847 a child was born that would change the world forever. Even as a small child his inquisitive mind was an annoyance to some and the recognition of genius to others. As he meets the young girl that would transform his life in ways he never expected, their relationship inspires him to create inventions that will transform human civilization as we know it.
Context for "Love Lights"
While researching famous Americans in science I discovered how amazingly interesting the life of Thomas Edison was. I also realized that of all the important contributors of our modern era, he was one of the least understood and most unique.
Love Lights is an attempt at historical fiction surrounding the early life and fictional love story that inspires him to create some of the world's most important inventions like the light bulb, phonograph and electrical circuits.
Love Lights is an attempt at historical fiction surrounding the early life and fictional love story that inspires him to create some of the world's most important inventions like the light bulb, phonograph and electrical circuits.
No posts match your query. Show all posts
No posts match your query. Show all posts
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
