BTS; Making Eyes! Eyes of the Roshi is now available for download on Amazon Prime, and iTunes. DVD’s are available through Amazon, and at Barnes & Noble.

Eyes of the Roshi official website

Light Age Films releases the newest trailer for its Fall schedule – Eyes of the Roshi.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ethan Marten
Ethan@twopeppers.tv
James R. Johnson
James@twopeppers.tv

Virginia Beach, VA, August 26, 2009 – The crew that brought you Tanners Point and the MTV top five finalist of the Pepsi Rock Band Video Contest, are at it again. Fresh off their three awards from last year’s festival, the producers from Two Peppers Productions were just informed their motion picture, “Dead Men,” shot on location in Virginia is an official selection of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF).

“It took the talents of three Hampton Roads production companies to bring “Dead Men” to life,” says Producer Ethan Marten. The suspense thriller was executed by Screenwriter George Smith of Future Tense Productions. Smith brought on director Scott Hansen, who’d recently worked with Willie Nelson. “To produce, engineer and edit, Future Tense knew of only one production company to help keep our future secure,” Smith says, “Wade Harrington and James R. Johnson of Two Peppers Productions.”

“The energy of crafting a story for the screen from the chaos of pre-production is exhilarating,” says editor Wade Harrington of Two Peppers Productions. “Dead Men had a lively team of all star talent in front of and behind the cameras to pull it off.”

Do “Dead Men” tell tales good enough to bring back awards from New York? If Marten’s track record is any indication, this newest Pepper’s on a hot streak, his production companies have garnered five awards from his last three festivals. “Great story, great cast, great production value from the crew,” according to Johnson, “Dead Men has winner written all over it”

Work hits too close to home for funeral home attendant Doug when his fiancée uses his gun to kill herself on the graveyard shift. Unable to call the police for appearance of foul play, Doug turns to his coworkers Jay and Steve for help. But as complications arise and tensions escalate, Doug’s friends are forced to look death in the face and confront the possibility they may have more to fear from Doug than from the cops. “Dead Men” stars Maxx Hennard, Jay Gates and Frank Edwards.

The Dead Men shooting schedule began summer 2008 and will have its world premiere during the week long New York festival beginning October 22nd. Virginia Beach native, Jay Gates is a headlining comedian who offers up a terrific dramatic performance for “Dead Men”. Maxx Hennard, who is receiving thumbs up reviews for his work in Sorority Row (Summit Entertainment, September 11, 2009) and Dear John (Screen Gems, February 2010), turns in a great performance as the grieving fiancée.

Life doesn’t end there for “Dead Men”. Two Peppers is in negotiations with distributors for limited theatrical release and worldwide broadcast rights.

Looking to produce relationship movies with budgets of under $1 million.
Will not consider anything without proper copyright or registration with the writers guild.

By your submission you understand and agree that you are hereby giving free and full permission to producer to read and review your synopsis and treatment. You also represent that you have taken proper steps to secure and protect said material.

Send synopsis and treatment only to: ethan@rexnet.tv

Yesterday, with a heavy heart, I handed my resignation to Star Circle Pictures. It’s never easy to say goodbye to something you have helped to build from an idea.

Without looking back I wish my former partners good luck and good fortune. Our journeys lie along different paths. With this move I am trusting that doors to even greater possibilities and artistic expression open. To that — I am looking forward.

Star Circle Pictures Principals Carr, Marten Talk Samaritan and P2
Studio’s P2 lensed movie wins award at NYIIFV Festival

Star Circle Pictures’ Samaritan, the company’s entry into the 2006 New York International and Independent Film & Video Festival won an award for Best Suspense Short Film Genre. What is notable, in addition to a good story, is the film’s use of the Panasonic, P2-based AG-HVX200 camera. Read More

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The Cinema Lounge at Gardel’s in Baltimore presents “Samaritan.”

That’s Al Ghanekar (actor), Kevin Mayberry (actor), Lisamarie Holte (actress, recently made an appearance in Flags of Our Fathers), and Robert G. Christie (Director, The Sobbing Stone), and me.

Thanks to Gardel’s, Johnny Alonso and his family, Stacie and Black Ink Films for this wonderful event.  Thank you as well to all the the attendees.  You made the trip worth while.

Ethan and Balck Ink Films’ Producer Stacie Jones

What Star Circle Pictures won’t do for its own.  “Samaritan” Star Johnny Alonso catches a ride across the screening room! 

If you have photos from that evening — we will be happy to post them.  Please send as j-peg with photo id’s and photo bys where appropriate to ethan@starcirclepictures.com

After remaining awake and working through the last 72 hours of the Festival with London-based MaXam Productions…

Meanwhile, the wheels are in motion for a Spring 2007 start date for “Six Bullets 7 Strangers.”

Stay tuned for more Star Circle Pictures developments.

Note to self: Next Time, Bring Vitamins. Drink more water!

Life is what you make of it, and Stuart Alson’s New York International Independent Film and Video Festival has been one wild ride. The opportunities for moviemakers are endless!

In the last two days alone, I have developed friendships I know will last a lifetime, with people it will be a pleasure working with throughout that lifetime. How unique an experience to be in situation after situation where you can do business with people whose enthusiasm, artistic integrity and passion are a match to your own. Thank you Stuart and company.

There are big things to announce on the Star Circle Pictures front, but I think it’s only fair that my partners hear it before you .. not much earlier .. but a little! What I can reveal this morning is the formation of a strategic alliance.

The Festival has been setting the attendees up with additional opportunities. Last night, Jonathan and I hit press night for the new Bond film, Casino Royale, with Maxam Productions CEO Max Bartoli. We were joined at the Ziegfeld by 1,300 of my closest friends in the media. You literally couldn’t turn in one direction without having a discussion with a reviewer, which we did .. repetedly. We engaged in conversations and handed out screeners to genuinely interested press. (Lesson learned .. always travel with screeners!)

By the way, Daniel Craig brings first class acting chops to the best Bond script yet written.

After the film, the three amigos .. Jonathan, Max and myself .. headed back to Village East for a dinner with Stuart Alson and Independent Film Quarterly (IFQ) Executive Editor Nicole Holland.. Max sprung for the cab (All class!). Topics of conversation were far ranging .. literally .. from the L.A. Festival to Cannes. Stuart loves filmmakers. He created this festival after having sweated out his own production and going through the trials of getting it shown. He still works hard to get it right. During the Festival, he tends to operate on two hours sleep a night .. if he’s lucky. “I started my own festival so filmmakers could have the opportunity to be seen in major cities,” Stuart says. “I don’t want to be involved in the politics. I don’t want to make the films .. I just want to show them. I want to help filmmakers .. get them screened, get them press coverage, arrange distribution.”

Far ranging discussions with New York International Independent Film and Video Festival’s Staurt Alson, Star Circle Pictures Producer Ethan Marten and Maxam Productions CEO Max Bartoli


Finding common ground with Stuart and Max at the NYIIFVF 2006

He also enjoys meeting people and making friendships. We all agreed; take care of the family, eat well, keep a roof over your head, travel and making a living doing what you love with people you like makes for a wonderful life.

The day before, I was introducing Jonathan to fetching artist rep Francesca Giordano, the beautiful Paola, and World Class Painter Gersain Muriel. We had no trouble finding his Village apartment…until we got off the elevator! Not that it was difficult; we just took a couple of wrong turns in the hallway (note to self; bring sleep along with the vitamins)

Paola, Francesca, E. and Gersain

Three lovelier people would seem impossible to find if I hadn’t already met so many on this trip. Gersain shared his art and his hospitality, while Francesca translated some things that might have been lost. We shared many laughs, and discussed the very heart of his art and soul.

I asked where this gift first came from, because the Custom Face Pillow truly is a gift. Though Gersain is salt of the Earth .. totally without pretension .. standing before one of his works it is obvious to anyone who can see or feel that you’re standing before greatness.

Gersain himself would probably disagree. Instead, he would more likely point out (as he did) that two or three previously painted images are hidden beneath the oil on the current painting. If he doesn’t like a a sketch or a painting he will tear it apart. Francesca has witnessed people fishing his images out of the trash and piecing them together. Gersain has a talent for finding the beauty in images people would generally tend to overlook or even think ugly. He loves the human form and reveals it in all its glory .. fearlessly exploring the fine line between agony and ecstacy. But he can also find the beauty in a worn, torn and abandoned wing-backed chair.

Many find his work so compelling, he is possibly the youngest artist to have sold his work in a Sotheby’s Auction. His paintings hang in important collections throughout Europe.

Gersain grew up near Medien, Columbia. He has known tragedy. Two of his brothers were murdered. He could be bitter, but he is filled with love, and a lust for life. Francesca noted that she had never seen a more beautiful and breathtaking place or ever been more scared for her life.

When he was four or five he says, “this woman molded my dinner into little animals. Then she had me draw them on the wall. That woman was my mother.” From that moment he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to “capturing forms.”

At twelve, he told his mother of his vision .. a beautifully dressed woman in colorful robes .. a goddess. His muse. His art. In a ceremony, with candles and prayers .. he married her. His mother wept her joy for his discovery.

Though this bad boy artist is often be surrounded by beautiful women .. not the least of which are his friends and partners Paola and Francesca .. their greatest gifts eminate from within.

If you have photos from the event — we will be happy to post them.  Please send as j-peg with photo id’s and photo bys where appropriate to ethan@starcirclepictures.com

(Excuse me folks if you’re already reading this. I’m still writing editing, but I’m posting so as not to lose any of this.  At this stage, I’m so tired, I have little control over the fingers that could send what little blog there is right now — into the netherworld of unretrievable data.)

The festival is going gangbusters — Star Circle Pictures is proud to be a participant and have SAMARITAN as an official entry.  The NYIIFVF Premiere of “Samaritan” has been a tremendous success.

Hitting the streets and pounding the pavement…a violent day of hawking “Samaritan” at the New York International Independent Film Festival!

Also attending “Samaritan” — all the way from Rome — we’re talking 25,000 Euros for the trip folks, Maxam Productions very own namesake and CEO Max Bartoli and Tabitha Bartolini (who handles marketing here in Manhattan).  His movie “Ignotus” set in 13th Century Italia is a festival highlight not to be missed. “Ignotus” is the story of a wounded Knight recalling the most meaningful moments of his life before his enemies find him to finish him off.  And, when all hope is lost….This is an award winning short in multiple categories including Best Acting, Best Short and Best Costuming.  “Ignotus” has been selected for more than 10 international festivals!

Catch “Ignotus” Wednesday, November 15, 8pm at the Village East Cinemas.  I’ll see you there.

Check out Maxam’s multiple projects at their site:  http://www.maxamproductions.com/

More to come!

The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival

is in full swing.  There are great movies to be seen and a great spirit to match.  Festival Founder, Executive Director, and CEO Stuart Alson has created another fantastic festival. 

His amiable and adept team have outdone themselves.  Program Director/Film Committee Chief Nicole Holland has assembled an incredible lineup of more than 200 movies, seminars, parties, receptions and other networking opportunities with distributors and worldwide press.  Along with my Award winning Producer Brother, Actors Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Jonathan Marten, we dove into the deep end and drank of its waters.  Mmmmnnn, tastey!

Festival Director of Marketing Renata Lorenc at the Telephone Bar and Grill.  (Sleep is not an option!)

Festival Director of Marketing Renata Lorenc and Director of Publicity Briege McGaritty hosted a networking luncheon at the Telephone Bar and Grill on Second Avenue full of laughter as well as serious shop talk. 

The  house was packed with luminaries, including the former Heavyweight Champion himself.  Holmes, who has been greatly overlooked is finely receiving the respect that has been due. 

Ethan and Former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes at the openning of “Out of Ali’s Shadow:   The Larry Holmes Story.”  I’m wearing my mouthpiece — just in case.

Writer/Producer Evan Grant brought all the mishpucha to celebrate his six-year-long journey to the big screen. Executive Producer (and writer of Cinerella Man) Mike DeLisa had his family in on the celebration as well. 

Ethan with “Cinderella Man” Mike DeLisa

From right:  Writer-Director-Producer Evan Grant, Pulitzer Prize Nominated Writer Thomas Hausen, and Little (litterally) Ol’ Ethan

Legendary trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas lent his talents on screen as well as in person.  For all of Atlas’ accomplishments, and training of champions, he remains humble.  

Teddy Atlas — a class act — all the way. 

All photos by Jonathan Marten — even the ones he’s in!  What can I say, he’s amzing.  Okay, I took those, but you were wondering how he did it for a second — weren’t you?  More tomorrow, including the Premiere of Star Circle Pictures’  SAMARITAN.  Good night — I mean good morning!  E.

Hosted By: Stuart Alson
When: Saturday Nov 11, 2006
at 6:05 PM
Where: Village East Cinema (screen 3)
181 Second Avenue at 12 St.
New York, NY 10001
US
Description:
Star Circle Pictures movie SAMARITAN has its New York premiere.

Hope to see you there along with our cast and crew.  Tickets are $15 at the door. 

Its amazing how much preparation can go into a 48-hour shooting schedule. SAMARITAN has been a well-orchestrated, well-executed production from concept to script, right through wrap. Johnny Alonso, who stars as the enigmatic character Victor, reflected from the Toronto set of Blu where he was shooting with Robert Deniro and Orlando Bloom.
Photobucket – Video and Image Hosting

Ethan Marten: Hey Johnny.

Johnny Alonso: Paisan! How’re ya doin Kid?

EM: Feel great? Hows Kelly and the kids?

JA: Everyones happy and healthy, thanks.

EM: We have a screening in Norfolk this weekend at The City Arts Festival. If you werent in such demand —

JA: Im with everyone in spirit! Give everyone a big hug and kiss from me.

EM: Done.

JA: So how do you want to start this thing?

EM: Im gonna give some skinny on why youre such a big star.

JA: I wish.

EM: Paisan youre modest. Here we go

Johnny got his degree in acting from N.Y.U.s Actors Studio. A scout from ABC caught Mr. Alonsos improvisational technique and asked him to audition for a role the studio had not been able to properly cast for the better 2 months.

The result, Johnny landed a 1-year contract role as Seth, a pine valley high school student and Susan Luccis nephew on All My Children, straight out of the Actors Studio.

JA: Not a bad first gig.

EM: Not bad. Not done. From there many gigs have followed: a guest starring role next to Ned Betty and Andre Brauer on Homicide; a 2 episode guest starring contract on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer you worked with Sarah Michelle Gellar right before she left All My Children didnt you?

JA: Yes.

EM: Aaah! SNAKES ON MY BLOG! You landed a contract role next to Samuel L. Jackson in Rules Of Engagement.

JA: A real gentleman.

EM: Then Axe, the bass player/boyfriend to Rachel Leigh Cookes character in Stateside.

JA: Thats when things really picked up. I was cast in a recurring role on the last season of Dawsons Creek —

EM: Jimmy Franco?

JA: A snide junior stockbroker next to Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes. Originally a 2-episode contract (directed by Joanna Kerns from Growing Pains/Lifetime) became an 8-episode run.

EM: I hear you earned a place in Guinness for this.

JA: I hold the record for the only actor to audition 28 times for a series on the WB before landing a job!

EM: You were the Susan Lucci of Dawsons Creek! I heard you didnt actually get cast. In fact, you were there auditioning so often they thought you were already part of the cast! Meeting Joanna Kerns was fortunate, yes?

JA: Call it fate to have worked with Joanna. She said we’d would work together again one day well, right after Dawsons Creek came to an end, my agent got a call from ABC and Disney. I got the chance to work with the original cast from the series Growing Pains in Growing Pains II Return Of The Seavers as Mickey Chrissys r-n-r, bad new boyfriend.

EM: You spent 1 month on location in New Orleans Co-starring with Kirk Cameron, Ashley Johnson (Chrissy), Joanna Kerns, Traci Gold, Alan Thicke….

JA: It was wild working with a cast that I grew up watching as kid after school. Joanna told me that if I auditioned for her when the show was still running, that I was a dead ringer for the Mickey character she always wanted for the series. How wicked is that! That always getting into trouble character left a lasting impression with the viewers poll as a cool/upbeat story line/change of scene and pace from the usual Seaver issues.

EM: Then the Disney summer special Stuck In The Suburbs the WB series One Tree Hill with the recurring role of Joey D. Again this was a 2 episode deal which extended to 9 episodes! Youre the only actor to segway from Dawsons Creek to One Tree Hill (which took Dawsons Creeks place). How many auditions?

JA: This time — only once — this time!

EM: Okay, lets rattle some off. Other co-starring and Guest Starring credits include F.B.I. Files, The Adventures Of Young Van Helsing, Johnny Come Lately, Night Cry, The Tango Dancer, The Passing the list is getting heavy!

JA: I didnt realize how much I had done in 8 years.

EM: Your odometer must be spinning like crazy?!

JA: Call me Road Warrior.

EM: So how did you first hear about SAMARITAN?

JA: Karen Whitlow- Jones of Atlantic Talent. She mentioned it to me on the set of One Tree Hill.

EM: What were your initial thoughts before the audition?

JA: How badly I wanted to ride my skateboard on the newly paved parking lot outside across from where the auditions were being held. (Laughs).
EM: I remember that skateboard. It had an awesome look — it almost got cast in the lead!

JA: Johnny and the skateboard are a package deal! Really, I saw how serious some of the competition was in the holding area — so I got my game face on, Zenned out, and pulled it all together — the way an actor should.

EM: This is cool. Ill tell you what was going through my head when I first saw you, and you can give youre impressions. You already got the job, and we cant edit around you so go for it! As an actor Im always wondering what the hell theyre thinking on the other side of the table.

JA: You’re the best, Paisan! That’s why we roll the way we do. Actors should know they’re called in basically on looks through a glossy, and maybe what ‘s seen on a resume. But, once you’re there, it’s your attitude, your personality — you’re star quality that puts ink on paper. Plus, you have long hair too, which makes you cool in my book.

EM: Yes. Everyone in the company’s calling me Johnny, Jr. now, which is cool with me. Victor called for a disciplined actor who could be in control of any situation with a Zen-like quality; be any age, and maybe not of this Earth. We needed a subtle intensity that could be both benign and deadly without being campy or boring. You nailed it. So it ends up being a love-fest. You gave your all — and scored a Toronto shoot with Bobby D. and Orlando Bloom (Blu). What’s the difference between a big budget with Bobby and our modest Indie?

JA: There are many differences between a big budget production with name stars and signing to an Independent project like SAMARITAN. First of all — a ton of money, the names, a roster of 100 or more working on set and in the production office — making sure every detail is going as planned. On SAMARITAN we had — what — ten? That included the director — Kimball Carr — efficiently doing the work of 100! When you make your way onto an Indie –everything I just mentioned has now been downsized to actors willing to work for scale and demo footage. The locations are usually donated with limited — very limited — and odd hours for use.

EM: Ten! I dont remember having that many!

JA: Remember, before the money people decided to back up the script, that script too was an independent. And technically it could have been shot with the small budget, but time, locations, set up, man power and power-talent requires cash and thats always been the problem. With new ways of filming, cutting down wasted energy on set ups, dailies, post, money on stock, rentals, and over time – the independent way of filmmaking will eventually become the industry standard. With a decent independent budget, which is always leagues lower than the big budget films, you can now afford a named actor which will help sell your project. Then everyone benefits from it.

EM: So how does all this effect the actor?

JA: As actors that have worked both sides of the celluloid, we generally hunt for well-written scripts. There’s a lot of crap out there. When you find one like SAMARITAN that has been put together with focus, energy, and that certain something — which can lead to great things — some things never found on the big budget films. I can’t stress how important that is to us actors. Hands down, a script any actor on any level would have been willing to work on. I’m just glad I got one of the leads!

EM: You earned it. Can you remember a moment from SAMARITAN where you got to play?

JA: Definitely. In the interrogation scene with J. Michael. I’m a very animated actor — lots of hand and body movement. I had to find something to cool me to make this character work. I broke it down to an actor’s exercise I learned at NYU’s Actor’s Studio. I played with my language and my eye contact. My eye movement and pregnant pauses became my sole movement and expression. It wasn’t easy — Paisan, believe me — but I like how it turned out. Victor became something not of this Earth. I dig it!

EM: We knew you had it at audition. When you brought your homework onto the set — we were ecstatic. When you saw the scene at the first screening what went through your head? What were you generally thinking when you were watching? Do you think I like these guys I hope they didnt blanking make me look like sh*t?

JA: Dude — positive all around! Your crew worked like any other big budget production I’ve ever been on — in fact — better than some. You guys were totally on point with time — no wasted energy. No waiting around in the trailer for four hours. We’re there to work, to create — without being idle for so long, all your heightened energy is ready to go! that’s where some of your best energy comes from.

EM: How did you approach the character of Victor and his relationship with the Detective?

JA: Victor – where do you begin? If anyone has ever been typecast in their acting career like me rebel with a heart, Mr. Rocknroll, troubled boyfriend type Victor was one character that enabled me to show diversity and acting skills that weren’t tapped yet. This character is really like no other. Ive never read for a character like this before, and I jumped at the possibility of booking it.

How many of my collegues can say they’ve played someone not of this earth with Zen like qualities? Kimball (Director Kimball Carr) really helped me get there. I knew in order to reach that level I had strip down the usual TV/film choices I have in my acting arsenal. Plus, working with seasoned vet J. Michael Hunter put me one on one in the actor’s boxing ring – a challenge. With a good director, script, and talent all around you can get anything accomplished. Im proud of what we captured in those 2 days long nights of shooting. I trusted you, Kimball, Richard and company that it would be there, and it was.

EM: What made the chemisitry?

JA: My producers Ethan E. Marten, Richard S. Marten are from Manhattan,

EM: Dont get formal on me now!

JA: Paisan, cmon!

EM: Oh Johnny you had me at Paisan —

JA: Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?

EM: I heard that.

JA: Anyway, Actor Humberto Gettys is from Brooklyn, and myself Queens New York, even our “Roc Doc” (Dr. Daniel Cohen) was from the Queens – that made me feel at home. I was familiar with J. Michael’s work and have respect for him not only as an actor but now as a friend. It was fantastic working with Kelley Davis (Mrs. Gredenko) who I’ve known from the audition circuit. Finally getting to see her in action was really something else. This doesn’t usually happen on the big sets. on the big set for the first season of shooting, its strictly business — to see whos being asked to stay or getting replaced, after that its comfortable. the Indie sets have a personal, easy, home-like feel immediately. Its easier to work when everyone is on the same team. Its family – that means a lot.

EM: Well, you are family. Im looking forward to Baltimore September 20 at Gardel’s. I hope you have a couch worthy of a big time actor/producer.

JA: Paisan for you only the best couch will do!

Visit Johnnys site at:

www.johnnyalonsoland.com

This from Studio/monthly magazine Editor-in-Chief Beth Merchant

    This October, Studio/monthly will feature HD tips by Star Circle Pictures Producer/Director Kimball Carr. The latest installment in Hands-On HD, (its popular series bringing together leading craftspeople working on independent film, commercials, programming and corporate and educational projects) is designed to be a go-to guide for practical advice on production and post technique for HD.

     Since Star Circle Pictures has been much highlighted for tapeless HD workflow (See September’s Fast Company magazine), Carr will be covering the production flow he designed around shooting and posting HD in a tapeless direct to hard drive environment for SAMARITAN.  Key items in Carrs coverage will include: the use of Panasonic’s P2 media card recording technology; fully computer-based storyboard previsualization; on location full HD monitoring of footage both at camera and in the computer; and finally post production using Apple’s Final Cut Pro HD suite.

    The feature will reach 55,000 readers of Studio/monthly magazine, as well as a combined online audience of some 80,000 monthly visitors to www.studiodaily.com,www. filmandvideo.com and www.studiomonthly.com.

     Carr’s feature is scheduled to appear in the last week of September in the print version, and then on October 1 online.  www.studiodaily.com (for daily news, video, forums and links to Studio/monthly, HD|Studio, DIStudio and Film&Video.com)

Cue the Computers

How Star Circle Pictures is remaking moviemaking.

Every time you say “film” on the set of a Star Circle Pictures project, you risk getting fined 25 cents. That’s because the Virginia Beach company doesn’t “film” movies anymore. It doesn’t even use digital video or high-definition tape. It has made the world’s first short movie with the Panasonic AG-HVX-200 high-definition camera using memory cards. The goal: to reduce the risk associated with movies, which can cost tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars with no guaranteed return on investment.

Read the rest at the link below:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/108/open_next-work-in-progress.html

August 15th would be my fathers 100th birthday! So you can celebrate along with the family we are sharing one of his favorite adventures. If you are a Plan 9 from Outer Space fan or someone who enjoys a good story read on! This is how Pop (Albert E. Marten) brought Plan 9 From Outer Space or Grave Robbers from Outer Space for you aficianados out of the Celluloid Closet and into our hearts!

Albert E. Marten was born in the Harlem section of New York in 1921 and grew up along (and under) the boardwalk in Coney Island. Pee Wee (or Pee Vee in the Yiddish cadence of the immigrant Jews) grew up and hut gemakht shtiferai (raised hell) during the 1920s and 30s in the home of Dreamland and Luna Park. Decades and a world war later, he took me and my brothers to the old neighborhood in Coney Island to show us where he and his pals battled other first generation American gangs and where he hung out with Murray Handwerker, son of the owner of Nathans Famous (five cents bought a kosher all-beef dog and a soda).

By way of biographical information, my Pop was a prominent entertainment and theatrical attorney. At one time an up and comer in the Democratic Party, he headed the Speakers Bureau for Congressman Franklin Roosevelt Jr. and escorted Eleanor Roosevelt to political functions. Pop took an independent path in politics and in life. To say that he had a dynamic presence would be an understatement. The dinner table was always lively and full of outrageous laughter. Mom had her hands full with her five boys. Pop was an original who defied convention.

Pop was active in the post-World War II film industry, representing talent, producers, and distributors, negotiating co-production deals, and arranging financing for more than 150 feature films. Panic Button, starring Maurice Chevalier, Jayne Mansfield, Akim Tamaroff, and Mike Connors, and television series such as Wild Bill Hickock starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine, and such Broadway productions as Peter Ustinovs Love of Four Colonels and Picnic were among his credits. In his obituary in Variety, Albert Marten was credited with introducing the completion bond to the motion picture industry in the United States.
His clients ranged from famous Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn to best-selling author Harold Robbins, from Allied Artists Distribution Co. to producer Edward Pressman. He dealt with such luminaries as Marlene Dietrich and John Wayne; however, we knew our old man was an important guy when Moe Howard of The Three Stooges invited him to bring his kids to the set during filming. He once tore up a $50,000 option check for Mickey Rooney when the actor failed to show for a meeting for which Dad had flown in especially from the East Coast (Mickey was at the track!). However, of all his many achievements in show business, the one that gave him the biggest kick and brought the most laughter around the dinner table, was his having rescued from oblivion the picture consistently voted the worst movie ever made. Without my Dad, Edward Wood, Jrs originally titled Grave Robbers From Outer Space would not have become the cult classic: Plan 9 From Outer Space.

Here for the first time is the never-before-published story of how Plan 9 came out of the celluloid closet and into our hearts!

One day an Atlanta theatre owner walked into Albert Martens Manhattan law office carrying canisters of film under his arm. With the preamble that often introduced an off-the-wall proposal or a nutsy scheme Mr. Marten, I understand youre a big theatrical attorney he proceeded to explain that he had put $40,000 (big money in the 1950s) into a picture and he needed to get it out. If my father could sell the picture for him, anything above the $40,000 was his to keep. The picture starred Bela Lugosi, the venerable star of Dracula and other horror classics.

It so happened that my father had a relationship with DCA Distributors Corporation of America a successful, albeit low-rent, indie distributor. And they owed him a favor for having earlier let them out of a contract with Maurice Valency, a well-known screenwriter of the day and another client of my Dads. So Pop called up his buddy, Irv Wermser, at DCA, and told him: “Irv, Im calling my marker. I want you to screen a picture tonight.”

After office hours, the three principals of DCA and Pop were sitting in their screening room. The lights went down and the projector began to roll the film. Remember, he had never seen the movie. He just assumed it was, if not grade A material, at least screenable with Bela Lugosi. What he saw on the screen paralyzed him like a stun gun used to immobilize cattle just before slaughter. My fathers blood turned to ice water in his veins. Words alone could not describe his horror (unfortunately something not represented on the screen) at what he was watching. The strings holding up the flying saucers carrying the grave robbers from outer space were clearly visible. To say the acting was execrable was an understatement. In the middle of the picture, the role played by tall, Hungarian-accented Bela Lugosi was suddenly inhabited by a short, roly-poly actor with a deep southern accent. (After production was well underway, poor Lugosi had been re-institutionalized for morphine addiction and replaced by the very same theatre owner who brought the picture to my father!). The caped, crooked arm that hid the Lugosi impersonator’s face dropped several times during the movie revealing the “actor” half made up. The attempt to save budget gave the effect on screen of a facial floodline.

Utterly and completely mortified, sinking lower and lower in his seat, silently saying Kaddish for any future relationship with the DCA principals who surrounded him, my father wondered how he could possibly escape without getting pilloried.

After an excruciating running time, the flap-flap-flap of the film projector stopped and the lights came on. Pop straightened himself in his seat waited for the lambasting that was due and coming. One principal broke the silence: “I like it. Irv, what do you think?”

“I do too,” Irv said nodding his approval. “Al, how much do you want for it?”

Quickly recovering, my father sat up and threw out a number double the cost of the production. They hondled a little and finally agreed on a dollar figure. DCA bought Grave Robbers From Outer Space and distributed it under its new title Plan 9 From Outer Space. The movie went down in the annals of film history as the worst movie ever made, and DCA made nothing but money in the years to come.

I’ve been writing most of these thoughts down as much for myself as anyone else, because, hey, I’m not sure anyone really reads my random thoughts or ramblings other than, well, me. Hmnnn.

I am as interested in what you, my imagined reader, has to say. I want your thoughts, your opinions about creating, producing and bringing movies to the market–a diablog, so to speak. I’m approaching the business of the biz from an actor/producer point-of-view. Marketing is also a part of my background. Mostly, I’m a regular sort who would like to do business with friendly, creative people. I was as proud of the way we executed the production of Samaritan as with the finished product. I’d like to share some of that experience with anyone who is interested; and I’d like you to share your production experiences/achievements, as well. If I have developed a friendship or a relationship that can help one of you — I’m more than happy to share it without expecting quid pro quo.

So anyone dreaming of motion picture independence or making a living as an actor, share your questions, as well as your answers. Some of you who have already been invited to participate have more experience. If you are willing to share your experience — I would be grateful.

One request for all who choose to participate. Diversity is welcome; however, I ask that the questions and answers be constructive and respectful in nature, with the intent of mutual growth and support of everyone’s dream of motion picture and creative independence.

Thanks for indulging me.

Best,
Ethan

This was a letter to FilmDailies.com a filmmaker’s Blog. There had been a flap concerning the length of “Samaritan,“ and that we were taking advantage of the technical “first“ we had achieved to market our baby. I thought some indie folks were missing the point. If your Indie project screens in the forest, and you’re the only one clapping with one hand…does it make a sound? Anyway, I hope this helps some of you get the word out.

Hello Kraz. I am enjoying your site. I have seen a great deal of debate over the length of “Samaritan.” We are just movie makers wanting to create and needing to get the word out like everyone else. I’m puzzled by the controversy regarding the movie’s length. The first reference to Samaritan in the digitalfilmmaker.com story that started it all clearly refers to it as a “micro-feature.”

(From digitalfilmmaker.com)
Samaritan

Digital Filmmaker: “Star Circle Pictures based in Virginia Beach, Virginia has just wrapped production on a micro feature called Samaritan, the third venture for Star Circle, which represents the next chapter in the firm’s evolution. The project was shot for the express purpose of demonstrating the company’s belief in cost efficiency, faster production flow and good quality.
(End quote)

Has Star Circle Pictures pioneered a new phrase as well? I don’t think so,[actually, it appears we did!] but it is clear, Star Circle never referred to “Samaritan as a full length feature. Hopefully, that will help mitigate if not stop the misapprehension.