MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GENE GENERATION

Chad Michael Ward woke me up with a christmas, with this picture that he did for The Gene Generation. I added in the tagline, credits and all just to get a feel of what the poster might look like. This is only the first concept that Chad has done to give me a taste and if I like the feel so he may continue on with the actual poster. Personally, he is in the right direction as he always is. Me and Chad have always seen eye to eye visually on a lot of things, so it’s nice to like something the first time round, even though he is not done with it.

Anyway, here is how it looks, want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas (even though it’s a little late) and I hope that the elves nibble in your dreams till New Year.

THE MASSACRE IS OVER

Yesterday concluded the last day I officially wrapped shooting The Gene Generation. It was a very eventful reshoots, we got everything we needed to tidy up the story, lock it off and send it to VFX department. The new actors were great especially Eireann Layne who played the Aereann Flyer Announcer. Chad Michael Ward of Digital Apocalyse came on as Production Designer to add an element to the film that was refreshingly dark.

We had a few visitors, friends whom I have made since I arrived in LA on May 2005 to begin shooting The Gene Generation. Though, I have to admit, it was pretty depressing when the shoot ended. Needless to say, I still got crap…especially from older people, about being a young director and having to re-proof my worth to a new crew again. It sucks that you have to do it, but if you want to be a leader in any industry, I cannot force it down the throats of people, the best I can do is show them that I put in more than they possibly can.

Typing this entry while we are digitizing the footage, ready to edit it and plug it into our movie. Bai Ling’s shower scene was something else…although it was a producer’s request, me and Bai Ling somehow managed to shoot it in a very artistic way. Oh yeah…blood running down her back as she washes herself after the geisha assassination scene.

So here’s a picture from the assassination scene of the Geisha and a little smile for everybody who have stuck with us since the beginning…I love you all! and most importantly, I will not stop working till this project becomes something not only special to me, but to others as well.

That’s Jeff Imada (Fight and Stunt Choreographer), Me (I was tired ok!), Bai Ling and Keith Collea (Producer) saying thanks for the support!

AEON FLUX

Aeon Flux opens at a box office failure of 13.1 Million over their 60 million dollar film.

Yahoo! Movie News: Theron ‘Flux’ a box office failure

In the article, it quotes “Female superheroes have not been much of a box office draw recently, as evidenced by Halle Berry’s “Catwoman” and Jennifer Garner’s “Elektra.” *Groan*…so is Michelle played by Bai Ling considered a super hero? Maybe. In Gene Generation, I decided to focus more of Bai Ling’s stuggle as a family breadwinner over her dysfunctional brother ( Parry Shen ) rather than blasting her way in the big screen.

Still, you cannot imagine how many people have approached me and compared my film to Aeon Flux just because Michelle and Aeon are both dressed in black goth outfits. Well, of course I had to check out Aeon Flux, and one thing for certain:

1. Aeon Flux is about the evolution of humans, the city of a perfect paradise. The Gene Generation is about the de-evolution of humans, the city of lost hope.
2. Aeon’s goal is to Assassinate a government body, Michelle’s goal is to get out of the city in search of a better life.
3. Aeon’s kills for vengeance, Michelle kills to battle her sorrows of loneliness.

Still, I thought it’ll be funny to do a picture comparison between those 2. You’ll probably tell from the pictures that The Gene Generation is a more decayed looking than Aeon Flux which focuses their visuals of lush, posh sets. Me? I just like ‘em dirty and wet!

The verdict? Well, points to Charlize Theron for making cool, sexy and deadly look so good. But I have to give Bai Ling more points because she bleeds better. Yeah! More Blood! More Blood! Needless to say, those images belong to the director’s cut. So the gore will not be there, unless, well, you see my cut. NC-17 We managed to bring it down to an R.

So to wrap it up. Here’s a picture of Bai Ling as she contemplates her role as Michelle against Charlize Theron, while Charlize is just blasting away. Because, hey, Charlize turned to a 200 pound Crack Whore for ‘Monster’, so she’s allowed to do that! Although, Bai Ling on VH1 is still coming close.

RESHOOTS CONFIRMED

Finally, the dates have been set. Script has been updated, actors and crew secured. We’re having the majority of the cast involved with a skeleton crew of about 20.

We are expanding on one character, by the name of Josephine Hayden (played by Faye Dunaway), and building a new set for her. Added in a couple of shots for VFX Aereann Flyers as well as some backstory on the whole history of DNA Hacking. Included are the following players added to the movie:

Aereann Flyer Announcer
Genome Lab Technician
Genome Lab Assistant

Also added one more Assasination scene for Bai Ling, where she plays a Geisha girl with retracable fan blades for close combat fighting. Yes, that leaves her bloodied up, Yes, followed by a shower scene. Producers call this the money shot…I guess blood is always good huh.

We’ll also be shooting another ending finale. Producers like the idea of toying around with a ‘not so happy’ ending. We’re going to decide with a test audience which ending is better. I’m leaning towards the ‘not so happy’ ending. As Marilyn Manson used to say

“When I’m God, Everybody Dies”…..ain’t that the case now anyway….

We’ll be filming at New Deal Studios Sound Stage where we will be building our sets. Shooting dates have been confirmed at 17-21st December. I will try and post pics from our reshoots in here. If anyone wants to volunteer, they can call Production Offices at (310) 577 3757.