A closer look at microbudget filmmaking.
“IL: You are one of the special guest panelists at this year’s Comicpalooza (2013) discussing how to make an independent film on a budget. Great topic since many indie-artists/film makers struggle with the financial aspect in launching their projects. What advice can you give indie-artists dealing with this dilemma?”
To read Shields’ answer, please read the rest of this great interview at
Trailer 4 for Frankenstein’s Monster (2013) is a short length trailer which emphasizes the Monster’s character. Original music by Ryan Cockerham.
Film Review from Simon Ball with Horror HotHouse:
“This is one of the most faithful adaptations of Shelley’s narrative that I have ever seen, despite transferring the action from early 19th century Europe to a Steampunked … late Victorian America.”
To read the rest, go to:
Congratulations to Matt Risoldi for his nomination for C-47 Best Actor 2013!
Matt Risoldi tackled the role of the monster. His interpretation of Mary Shelley’s character brings the monster “to life” by connecting with the audience. He provides a compassionate character who later falls from innocence.
From “Land of the Nerds”: http://landofnerds.com/2013/12/28/steampunkfrankensteinsmonster/
<<What I really liked about the film was how actor Matt Risoldi portrayed the Monster. Instead of Electrodes, he had a steam apparatus attached to his neck, releasing steam in bursts as he talked and moved. Risoldi towers over the rest of the cast. He emotes well, and is quite believable as the Monster. The Monster is sympathetic, even to his creator for a moment. He screams, he rants, he rails, it is the Monster, not the Mad Scientist, who admits that he “IS ALIVE!!!!”>>
I couldn’t have written that better.I will also make note of Matt Risoldi’s co-star, Dustin Sturgill and supporting cast member, Tim Ashby. Sturgill was an anchor for the entire film. His excellent line memorization provided stability especially since his lines consisted of nearly half of the script. Sturgill’s Frankenstein was perfectly selfish and obsessed. Tim Ashby played Clerval, Frankenstein’s best friend and provided light comedic relief as well as sympathy for everyone influenced by Frankenstein’s decisions.The entire cast worked well together and were top notch professionals. It is not easy to accomplish a microbudget film in 14 days with little time for practice.
Matt Risoldi tackled the role of the monster. His interpretation of Mary Shelley’s character brings the monster “to life” by connecting with the audience. He provides a compassionate character who later falls from innocence.
From “Land of the Nerds”: http://landofnerds.com/2013/12/28/steampunkfrankensteinsmonster/
<<What I really liked about the film was how actor Matt Risoldi portrayed the Monster. Instead of Electrodes, he had a steam apparatus attached to his neck, releasing steam in bursts as he talked and moved. Risoldi towers over the rest of the cast. He emotes well, and is quite believable as the Monster. The Monster is sympathetic, even to his creator for a moment. He screams, he rants, he rails, it is the Monster, not the Mad Scientist, who admits that he “IS ALIVE!!!!”>>
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Thank you Land of the Nerds for this cast/crew interview.
“Christopher recommends that to build props for a low-budget film you need to find someone who can take a look at random bits of things found in a hardware store. Just a little imagination and a few bits of scrap can go a long way to building some amazing props.
As an actor, the most difficult scene for Matt was sitting under the sheets, waiting to film the reanimation sequence. “I didn’t want it to look like a cartoon.” He had not seen a lot of Frankenstein films, other than Young Frankenstein, which was a different style from this film. He had no preconceived notions of how to be the monster, to act like other versions. The apparatus that made the steam was not uncomfortable; it attached down a tube to a flask of dry ice.
What we learned from this interview and panel was that props for films can be made cheaply and effectively if you know where to look and who to ask. You don’t need a super fancy video camera, a really nice camera with video capacity can do wonders, and microphones can be made inexpensively.
We also learned that the cast of Frankenstein’s Monster is passionate about the project, and that passion can be seen in the film. I urge anyone who gets the chance to watch this film to do so.”
To read their entire article:
http://landofnerds.com/2014/01/10/frankensteins-monster-space-city-con/
We’re honored to have been part of this Portland, OR lineup.
Quote from article:
“For the filming, some of the most important aspects to the filmmakers were to ensure that the film maintained an authentic, Victorian period-style. To maintain that look, the filmmakers needed to ensure that the costumes were beautiful and accurate. Costumes can be an expensive, especially period costumes. Luckily, the producer, Judith Shields, found J’Nean Henderson, Victorian Lady.”
To read the rest of the article, please go to their great page:
http://landofnerds.com/2014/01/10/frankensteins-monster-space-city-con/
Moon Sedai wrote a wonderful review of Frankenstein’s Monster. In praise of the film she wrote:
Strong words of praise were also given to Matt Risoldi (Monster) and the cinematography(Slava Vlad). But we won’t spoil that here.
If you’d like to read the whole article, please check it out HERE. Also be sure to look at the rest of their great website which covers everything science fiction and fun!
http://landofnerds.com/2013/12/28/steampunkfrankensteinsmonster/
“You might also be interested in learning about Frankenstein’s Monster, a “steampunk-light” adaptation of the classic novel. Judith B. Shields, the founder of First Step Cinmeatics and the writer and producer of Frankenstein’s Monster, is interviewed over at Steamed! where she discusses the film.”
http://alternatehistoryweeklyupdate.blogspot.com/2013/07/weekly-update-112.html
“The filmmakers have attempted an adaptation of Frankenstein accurate to the novel, a feat rarely ever attempted. “
To read the rest of this review please click the link below:
http://sfcrowsnest.org.uk/frankensteins-monster-2013-a-film-review-by-mark-r-leeper/
First Step Cinematics Official Page 