FEATURE: Rise of the Beast-the new feature from STARS Pictures

[El Director]

Updated 3/21/2012
NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!!!

Leap: Rise of the Beast
"The Greatest Deception In History Is About To Be Revealed"

Synopsis:
In the near future, the world leaders have given up their power to Vatican City. While most rejoice at the thought of world peace and religious tolerance, Shane Turner and his Leap Crew aren't buying into it. It's not long before they identify the papal power as the Beast of Revelation and speak out against it. In response, the Vatican sets out to hunt down the Leap Crew. The end has begun.

Background:
"Leap: Rise of the Beast" is my third feature. When we decided to do a sequel to "Leap", we knew it had to be bigger and better. "Leap" is very much a youth group oriented film. It almost feels like a Sunday night movie. With "Leap: Rise of the Beast:, we decided that we wanted to do a $30 million action flick for $500,000. Our funding source fell through so we are self financing again. This isn't your typical Christian film. It's a Bourne-esque Christian film. I mean, let's face it-Most Christian flicks are dramas or B-movie apocalyptic pieces. Not that there's anything wrong with that, (I like those), but we wanted to try for a real action film. Something that even a mainstream audience can enjoy (and maybe get a bit of a message too). Also notable is that this film is the first feature length film to be shot on a Canon Rebel T2i with kit lens only. In doing so, we've tested all the myths that surround DSLRs and kit T2i in general and discovered that there really isn't much you can't do with these cameras.

Goals:
Create a killer action movie that introduces people to a different view regarding the end times then they're used to.
Have a similar feel and tone to the Bourne series
Shoot on HD
Have a 5.1 Surround mix
Continue to act as writer, director, editor, cameraman and be responsible for the visual effects and some music(ie: Do everything myself-Because I enjoy doing it and want to get better)
Continue to push the limits of my software (Sony Vegas Pro 9, Adobe After Effects CS4, Photoshop CS4, Blender 2.49, Mixcraft 4.5)
Push the Canon T2i to it's limits and beyond
Show to people that I have grown as a filmmaker since Leap and can handle a film with an intricate story, amazing stunts, and seamless effects when needed, AND show people that I do know what I'm doing.
Get people to see the film: Self Distribute, multiple theater screenings, and maybe even just pass out free copies at Sundance



For BTS, Vlogs, and the Production Blogs, vist starspictures.org and facebook.com/leapmovie
I don't know how often we'll be posting on here, so check my website often for updates.

 

[El Director]

Some Concepts:

Current Gear:

Canon Rebel T2i
"Isn't that a still camera?" "No my friend, it's a movie camera that does stills"

Props

 

[Nathyn]

A lot better.

-Nate

 

[filmman]

I admire your courage and dedication. I like your spirit too.
The first Leap movie was clearly a no-budget; but this one has the look of a budget movie.

The concept is growing on me. I think you have something going there. You're light years from the Bourne series, but you get A for effort. I hope you don't spend more than $10,000 on this one, from the looks of it.

If you want to make it look like a $30 million movie, and shoot it for $500,000 -- you need to scrap the footage you've shot so far, take a $10,000 loss (call it a trailer if you like, but don't show it to any professional people and don't take it to the market) ... and re-cast the movie with some real martial arts actors with names, otherwise you'd be wasting $500,000. There is no way going back from that. Even if you have a studio as a result of the money you're going to set aside. You can't make a $30 million movie on $25,000. Maybe if you're George Lucas or Steven Spielberg ....

Keep up the good work though ... and dream big by all means; just don't leap off a building bigger than 1/16th scale.

 

[HerzogisGod]

whats is "proof of concept"?

 

[El Director]

The proof of concept was shot to give our investors an idea as to what the movie might look like. Since I was coming off "Leap", I needed to show that I could do something that looked higher concept than what I'd already done. I'll be the first to admit that we went a bit overboard with the shaky cam, but I told them that and they understood. It is the first scene of the picture, but we'll obviously be re-shooting when production rolls this summer. Thanks for checking it out!

@Filmman-I actually decided to call it the first teaser just yesterday before I even saw your post today. Looks like a good call. lol

Fan Us on Facebook!

 

[Nathyn]

I should be getting back to business soon myself. We have the same storyline apparently only my lead is a priest and mine takes place before the Tribulation. My final one will take place during.

-Nate

 

[El Director]

Heck ya dude! It'd be sweet to get both of these out at the same time =)
This one is during the trib (which we say has been going on for a while and isn't seven years) and my final one will deal with the bowl judgments and the all that fun stuff.

 

[Nathyn]

Actually "The Fourth Beast" hit on that too, that the Tribulation wasn't just starting but has been going on for awhile in various spots.

-Nate

 

[Brandon Rice]

I watched your "proof of concept" and it's quite cheesy... I am not buying the actors at all...

Maybe just me?

 

[Omada]

I have to agree with Brandon here but I prefer not to be too critical of another man's dream. I will say, however, that (as a Christian) I'm getting very tired of "end times" flicks. People who don't hold to the teachings of scripture won't buy your movie and those of us who are actually students of the bible will no doubt see this kind of thing as "dancing in the peripheries." Church-goers, in my opinion, don't need more sensationalism but more grounding in the basic tenets of the worldview we share; namely, love for God, our neighbor and our enemies. There seems to be a lack of such virtue in our artistic communities.

By way of example, "Faith Like Potatoes" stirred my quite a bit. It was a Christian film but spoke to me in a way that made me want to love others more radically. Granted, it was a true story, but the style of filmmaking is one that I found attractive. Again, I don't wish to disparage your choice of subject matter but "end times" is one of the most contentious matters among theologians so perhaps it's best not to use it as a sounding board to reach others. It might show a tad more humility to respect those in your audience who've spent a great deal of time emersed in such things (I'm assuming here that your audience is Christian because if it's not, I'm a bit leery of your approach). Anyway, take this in the spirit in which is was intended, brother. Bless you.

 

[HerzogisGod]

Just curious: what did that kid steal to warrant such a heated chase? They looked like candy bars

 

[Nathyn]

I watched your "proof of concept" and it's quite cheesy... I am not buying the actors at all...

Maybe just me?

But on the flipside it's just a proof of concept. It's fine for that. I'm assuming the acting will be better in the real trailer and movie. I could argue that we probably shouldn't be seeing a proof of concept, but hey, this is much better than the trailer for "Leap" as that one kinda looked like it was going to be some kind of sports film about jumping over railings, but look how far it got him. And I know El just saw the new B13 so I know he's inspired. LOL.

I have to agree with Brandon here but I prefer not to be too critical of another man's dream. I will say, however, that (as a Christian) I'm getting very tired of "end times" flicks. People who don't hold to the teachings of scripture won't buy your movie and those of us who are actually students of the bible will no doubt see this kind of thing as "dancing in the peripheries." Church-goers, in my opinion, don't need more sensationalism but more grounding in the basic tenets of the worldview we share; namely, love for God, our neighbor and our enemies. There seems to be a lack of such virtue in our artistic communities.

Non-believers went to see Left Behind because of the hype. It wasn't great but people went to see it. And a lot of the virtues you mentioned were in the Left Behind films.

By way of example, "Faith Like Potatoes" stirred my quite a bit. It was a Christian film but spoke to me in a way that made me want to love others more radically. Granted, it was a true story, but the style of filmmaking is one that I found attractive. Again, I don't wish to disparage your choice of subject matter but "end times" is one of the most contentious matters among theologians so perhaps it's best not to use it as a sounding board to reach others. It might show a tad more humility to respect those in your audience who've spent a great deal of time emersed in such things (I'm assuming here that your audience is Christian because if it's not, I'm a bit leery of your approach). Anyway, take this in the spirit in which is was intended, brother. Bless you.

Endtimes films are all we can do because many of us know actually very little about the Bible and it's origins. To please everyone some of us feel we have to make things that only come from the Bible. I don't believe that's true and I don't think El or Brandon do but a lot of Christians don't like you to stray to far. I got hassled about "Wages of Sin" because it wasn't "Christian". It wasn't for Christian audience. I was selling out and obviously doomed for Hell, even though the film is somewhat of a parable and there's obvious spiritual messages in there including scripture reading. But the endtimes is a very exciting part of the Bible. I deal with it in a very different way whereas I make conspiracy movies about the what's leading up to those times.

Just curious: what did that kid steal to warrant such a heated chase? They looked like candy bars

I'm going to assume he's a Christian in the future that's chosen not to take the mark but he's stealing to survive. And he's a loner freak like we find in so many action films so he doesn't want help. (We action heroes are like that, ).

-Nate

 

[El Director]

Nathyn's right all accounts. You should be my PR person!
Thanks dude! lol

The one thing I would add is that even if our stories come straight from the Bible, we're not going to please everyone. I've got some screenplays in development dealing with the flood and Sodom/Gomorrah. Those can end up being just as controversial as end times (dinosaurs on the ark? homosexuality?). The great thing about end times stuff is that you can do it relatively inexpensively and have it still be exciting.

 

[zeke]

seems to be some truisms here. Young non christians make zombie movies, young christians make end times movies.
It's all good, hehehe.

 

[Nathyn]

Nathyn's right all accounts. You should be my PR person!
Thanks dude! lol

LOL, I teach PR as part of the journalism class. (When I teach that class).

seems to be some truisms here. Young non christians make zombie movies, young christians make end times movies.
It's all good, hehehe.

OMG! I was just about to make this same comparison, the idea of making zombie films to making Endtimes films. They're cheap to make depending on what you're going for. But on the flipside I do take issue with "non-Christians" make zombie films. This is part of the thing I'm talking about. I have a zombie character in one of my upcoming films. Someone could make a zombie film with Christian themes and even a Christian message, but because it's a zombie film many hardline Christians will immediately consider it Satanic and say you've been influenced by the devil and you're going straight to hell for making a zombie movie. But I counter by asking did the writers of the Bible go straight to hell for all that witchcraft and demon possession they wrote about. And if you really dig deep into the Jewish Midrash works that didn't make it in you find vampires (yes every culture has vampire stories), magic and succubi. The character Lilith is from a creation story that didn't make it into the Bible (only two actually made it in there you know) and she's a villain in my universe along with many other real and fictional characters.

This is why Christians choose endtimes films because aside from the message, they're fun and exciting to make and actually most people won't be upset by an endtimes film. Like I mentioned before, even me making action films is considered bad by some, so I know my mix of action horror and hard sci-fi with an endtimes leaning is surely not going to set well with a few people. This is why I don't make Christian films. While the message may be considered Biblical, and it's way profitable if you can get in (ask Mel Gibson or Cloud Ten) but I'd rather not get caught up in the political BS. I just want to enjoy my art and hopefully one day be able to live off of it.

-Nathyn

 

[El Director]

seems to be some truisms here. Young non christians make zombie movies, young christians make end times movies.
It's all good, hehehe.

Not completely true. lol. My background is actually in horror. my last couple shorts were slasher. My first feature was about a cannibal. And I was a Christian then. lol

 

[Nathyn]

Those can end up being just as controversial as end times (dinosaurs on the ark?...)

You're going to throw the "behemoth" in there aren't you. I say go with it. It's in the Bible. The animal fits the description, no one can argue. Scientist may but religious people can't. And since you're not a scientist you want have to worry about losing your job. (See Ben Stein's film "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed").

Not completely true. lol. My background is actually in horror. my last couple shorts were slasher. My first feature was about a cannibal. And I was a Christian then. lol

In film school my first film and my final were action films. (My teacher did not like me. LOL). I've written a ghost story and have plans for an action horror series based off of a line of upcoming comic books.

-Nate

 

[El Director]

Oh yes. Behemoth, leviathan and many many more. Yes, I'm a young earth creationist. I think the majority of the dinosaur fossils came from the flood, and if that's the case, Noah would've had to bring two of each onto the ark. Probably babies (just be sure to get a pink one a blue one-that'll be important later).

 

[Nathyn]

I take it you're going to cgi Leviathan. Big sea monsters are hard to come by.

-Nate