letter from the president
THE EXPANDING DIGITAL UNIVERSE
You’ve probably been reading a lot in the press lately about how businesses are finally starting to realize the power of social networking sites – from the blogosphere to MySpace to Facebook to Twitter. But here at Platinum Studios, utilizing new technology is nothing new. From its very beginnings, Platinum has been not just a follower of new tech, but a forerunner in the space. Our founder, Scott Rosenberg, was one of the first to use computers in the colorization process in comics many years ago. Back in 2006, we simultaneously launched Cowboys & Aliens online and in print to great success, disproving the “experts” who think the online experience cannibalizes print sales. Last year’s Comic Book Challenge was an all-online submission, presentation, judging and voting experience, which opened the opportunity to a much broader, international audience. And in 2008, we acquired Wowio, in order to move into the digital distribution space for copyrighted material, welcoming the oncoming avalanche of the move toward an all-digital media arena.
We have always embraced what’s cool and cutting edge, and we love having the tools that these ever-expanding digital technologies provide. Wowio has its own Facebook page, and you can follow their progress and updates on Twitter. The folks over at Drunk Duck also “Tweet” and can be followed on Twitter or on Facebook. Search for your favorite Platinum employee on any of these sites and you are bound to find us there, talking about cool happenings in Hollywood, on the set of our movie, behind the scenes in the office or just plain goofing around. Whatever the message, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the real people behind the work going on at Platinum Studios. I am a frequent Twitter and Facebook updater, too, and you can follow me or search for me on Facebook.
In other news, as we anticipated in our January newsletter, we commenced principal photography on our feature film, Dead of Night, based on the Italian comic character, Dylan Dog, at the end of February in New Orleans. After a brief hiatus during which time we fine-tuned the production elements, script and budget, we re-commenced photography on April 1st, and the production will run through May 21st. The talent involved in this includes Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Sam Huntington (Fanboys), Anita Briem (Journey to the Center of the Earth) and we just announced the addition of Taye Diggs (Private Practice).
Check out the recent press below. And, bringing it back full-circle to the digital conversation, check out regular updates on our official Dead of Night production blog.
Brian Altounian
President & COO
PLATINUM IN THE PRESS
As we reported in January, Platinum Studios is now truly a STUDIO, having taken over as the production entity on the feature film Dead of Night, starring Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Sam Huntington (Fanboys), after successfully completing the close of financing.
We’ve had a lot of exciting additions to our cast and crew – this is a passionate group of individuals that loves the property and the Dylan Dog character. We anticipate that the film will be the beginning of a very successful franchise, and that the final product will more than satisfy Dylan Dog’s faithful followers and give rise to a legion of new fans.
For more info, check out the following articles:
Taye Diggs and Anita Briem joining cast of Dead of Night
The Hollywood Reporter
Dead of Night Commences Principal Photography
PR Newswire
Cowboys & Aliens has also been getting quite a lot of pickup in the press lately, thanks in part to the fact that the production team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci has another little film about to hit the screens this spring with the latest installation of the Star Trek series . Luckily for us, the “next big project” on K&O’s plate is the Dreamworks production of Cowboys & Aliens. We are told that latest version of the script will be delivered any day now and Dreamworks hopes to go out to directors shortly thereafter. That selection process will determine the timing of the start of production and we are all hoping to see this move forward very soon. Here are links to the most recent articles:
Cowboys & Aliens in the Los Angeles Times
Cowboys & Aliens on Sci-Fi Wire
UP "HOGAN'S ALLEY"
An update on “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons….”
As first reported in January, Platinum and partner McTee’s Champions have joined forces to bring Ben Hogan’s classic golf book, “Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf,” to life in a new, interactive animated DVD.
Our gifted production team, made up of Platinum in-house staff including Senior Story Editor Dave Collins, who is tackling the script, and VP of Creative Design, Zachary Pennington, also includes a pool of experienced outside production talent. The team has completed the comprehensive sales presentation and we are actively seeking prospective sponsors. We have selected our celebrity host and hope to finalize our relationship and schedule shortly.
In addition to zeroing in on a host, we have chosen Perspective Studios as our CGI animation partner. We will be shooting at the storied Riviera Country Club, fondly dubbed “Hogan’s Alley,” in Pacific Palisades, with additional location shooting at Hogan’s “home” course of Colonial Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Prospective sponsors include Callaway Golf, Golf Digest, Golf Channel and American Express, to name just a few. Our target date for production is set for late spring/early summer 2009 with the hope of delivering final product by the holiday season. We’ll be making announcements as details are finalized - stay tuned!
INTERVIEW WITH A CREATOR
incursion cover artist tone rodriguez
The Platinum Studios Development Team invites you to meet one of our many talented comic artists, the incomparable Tone Rodriguez, Cover Artist of Incursion.
Where did you get your start in comics?
I would offer to do pin-ups for anybody that would run them. My first paying pin-up was for Robert Krause and his Chakan Book The Executioner (thanks, Rob!). I think he paid me $50 for the art. My first big break came in the form of Citizen Pain. Bill and Jan O'Neill at Hurricane Entertainment needed an artist, and I was looking for a date to the big dance, so after I sent a pal of mine over to let them know that I was interested in doing the book, and they soon agreed. Then I drew 13 issues of Violent Messiahs.
What are your inspirations?
Man, that's a loaded question. If I were talking about artists, then I would have to say Michael Golden (my all time favorite), George Perez, Walter Simonson, John Byrne, Neal Addams, Don Newton, Carmine Infantino, & Klaus Janson... there’s just so many to list. But if were talking about any kind of inspiration, I would have to say my family and friends... oh, and Batman and Robin.
What do you predict for the future of comics? What are you most excited about? Concerned about?
I will continue to get older (well, that’s what I'm concerned about!). I'm excited about tomorrow and what tomorrow will bring. My prediction for the future: soon the comic book industry will no longer be under the thumb of the staple companies. We will become less dependent on the use of foreign staples to hold our comic books together. I dream of a day without staples! We will start with the use of just one staple by the end of 2009, and then a full removal of all metallic binders by the year 2012 (yes, I'm full of it).
Other interests or talents the comic world has yet to discover from you?
Television and film baby, I have a face for both! I'm so kidding, but in case some of you might not know, I have done some acting. I played a Killer on Showtime’s Dexter. Season 2, episode 5, if you’re wondering- I also designed the "Dark Defender” for the same episode. And I did a scene for CBS’ NUMB3RS. I’ll also be doing some motion picture work, but it’s too early to talk about now. Oh, and I have an amazing singing voice... ha ha haaa yeah!!!
What’s been the biggest achievement for you in life, comic or non-comic related?
In my first year of working in comic books, I was nominated for the Russ Manning Award. I really wanted to win, but they gave it to some other cat. So I didn't win the award, but at least my work was recognized. I guess that’s not really an achievement. Well, next time I'm up for an award I'll win it, and that will be my biggest achievement.
Incursion on Wowio
Incursion on DrunkDuck
IT CAME FROM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT!
Monthly update from our very own Content Development Department
To paraphrase a famous movie: the first rule of content development is that you can’t really talk about content development. That’s the nature of the business when dealing with intellectual property. Hollywood is an intensely competitive marketplace that places a premium on original ideas. Our team is working with writers on pilots for 5 different television series, giving notes to production partners on 3 separate screenplays, and continuing to develop dozens of comics based on Platinum properties, we’re just not able to talk about these projects in more than general terms.
Not that I’m complaining. When your day-to-day activities include discussing zombie retirement communities, how a nation of vampires deals with religion, or what the Curie point of an alien metal is, that’s a pretty cool gig. I just wish I could brag about it with my friends and families a bit more.
I can say that like everyone else here at Platinum, our efforts outside of new projects for comics, film, and television are focused on our Dylan Dog comic-to-film adaptation, Dead of Night. There’s work for us Content Development folks even with the cameras already rolling, as questions stream in from the set like, “How does a vampire move?” or “What kind of gun does Dylan carry?”
So while I can neither confirm nor deny that we are developing a Broadway musical based on one of our best-selling comics, I can state with all certainty that Dylan carries a 10.4 caliber six-shot Bodeo Revolver Model 1889. Just don’t quote me on that.
Dan Forcey
VP Content Development
GOINGS ON ABOUT THE STUDIO
outside interests of Platinumians
Brian Altounian, Platinum’s President and COO, has resumed another promotional campaign on Money TV. He will be doing regular updates for the next twelve weeks – check out the March 26th episode now!
Brian was also recently the keynote speaker at the President’s Forum luncheon, an executive conference put on by the business networking association, The Entrepreneurship Institute. |
