OFF-WORLD NEWS: 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/books/review/the-exegesis-of-philip-k-dick-edited-by-pamela-jackson-jonathan-lethem-and-erik-davis-book-review.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

The Blue Dolphin Enterprises 1982 Official Blade Runner Sketchbook is now available to view ONLINE HERE!

Vid & Gifs:

Blade Runner - SPINNER

http://animoto.com/play/hpLD4Ffan0W7yTO61i2gPQ

Robot shows Blade Runner reality edging closer (video):

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/43384/robot-shows-blade-runner-reality-near

A Blade Runner animated gif http://filmframe.tumblr.com/post/14357789678/blade-runner

Fratres for Cello and Blade Runner by Matt Broach.

Audio:

New sample from srmusic, from their “Blade Runner” project

http://srmusic.tumblr.com/post/14864032930/new-sample-from-the-blade-runner-project

The Press is known for comparing a real world dystopian future with the movie Blade Runner. Here is one such recent example.

Reform, Human Capital and Our Nation As It Becomes Blade Runner's World in Real Time (Article HERE).

And here's some wishful thinking on my part. First, let me make myself clear, the following is NOT a fact. Again, it is WISHFUL THINKING on my part. BUT --- if it were to come true --- you can say you heard it here first. Would be absolutely awesome = Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to compose the score to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner sequel.

Link:

The Ultimate 233 Blade Runner Links. Happy New Year!

http://www.prisonerofthemind.net/2011/12/ultimate-233-blade-runner-links.html

And remember to follow @OffWorldNews on Twitter to receive these and other Blade Runner related news items, (including movie showings, specials, and auction items not featured in this newsletter), as it comes in.

Have a better one!

~ Kipple

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Off-world News Update for November 12- 30, 2011

Keeping you up to date on all things Blade Runner.

Paul M. Sammon, the Author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner, talks with Alexis about his experiences and observations on set, the many obstacles that came up in production and the true message of the film. Interview was conducted live online November 30, 2011. The recorded interview is available to view below.

Blade Runner fan art by ebbewaxin.

Siva Six - Blade Runner ( Stardust ) music video.

Blade Runner fan-art ~ Rachael

Hong: "I'd love Blade Runner role" http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/hong-id-love-blade-runner-role-16077489.html?r=RSS

Papercraft Blade Runner Police Spinner Perfect for Retiring Paper Replicants http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/18/papercraft-blade-runner-police-spinner/

Hal`s latest Blade Runner anime-style drawing http://media.bladezone.com/hal8.php

OPINION: Blade Runner and the Perfect Ending http://dreckfiction.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/bladerunnerending/

Sci-Fi Movie Art - Avatar, District 9, The Matrix, Alien, Blade Runner & More: http://www.flickdaily.com/news/scifi-movie-art-avatar-district-9-the-matrix-alien-blade-runner-more/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=tweet&utm_campaign=tweet-dailyfilmnews

Suspended License 001: Blade Runner. On this, their inaugural episode, Steven and Justin contemplate the sci-fi classic, Blade Runner. Real-time Voight-Kampff tests? Replicant free-running? FLYING CAR CHASES? These lovable hosts have seen things you people wouldn't believe… in their imaginations. And now you’ve got a chance to join in on the fun! Wake up… time to podcast. HERE.

Kevin Bulmer, BR prop maker, died. He supplied several props for the upcoming fan-film "Bladder Run". Below is a note from the director of Bladder Run, Mark Hevingham.

"It is with very deepest sadness that I must report the death of one of the Bladder Run family. My friend, Dr. Kevin Bulmer was also a great supporter of the movie, and supplied several props and many photos and magazine covers to be used in background scenes. He was always cheerful and helpful - giving without asking or expecting anything in return. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year a the age of 47 and passed away on November 12th this year.

"I had obeyed his request not to phone for updates as he could no longer speak and sent emails, the last of which was picked up by his partner, Cate, early this morning. I can't begin to describe the sadness I feel at the loss of such a nice and talented person. He was a great bloke who deserved a long and healthy life, but I rejoice that I knew him for a while and that his suffering is now at an end."
Kevin Bulmer October 5 1962 to November 12 2011. RIP Obituary.

MEMORIA ~ Blade Runner: The Rock Project Revisited

Every once in a while -- out of the blue -- a melody from this project would come to mind. And it was that little inspiration that moved me to revisit the archives.

I found that there were more beautiful songs in this collection that had not yet seen the light of day. They were heard only by a very select few. They lay at rest in envelopes, cases and hard-drives -- awaiting their turn in the studio to be doctored and mixed. There are those few songs that will have to wait for their resurrection. But, I did find that there were some that I felt could be heard and still appreciated now.

Here is a link to the available songs: Blade Runner: The Rock Project.

Have a better one!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Blade Runner Blimp Project

Jason Eaton has been working on a scale model of the advertising blimp from the movie Blade Runner. According to what he wrote in his blog, work on it has been progressing nicely. He has the bodies built with armatures installed and is currently sanding and puttying the seams smooth. He's also been working closely with Lightbenders on an amazing light rig that will feature some killer electronic bells and whistles. And a custom searchlight is being created for the project – each blimp has four roving searchlights underneath controlled by motors!

Below are some videos showing some of its exciting features!

If you'd like to keep up to date on his progress, visit his website; http://www.jasoneaton.com/

Also, check out his sweet Blade Runner guns HERE!

Have a better one!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

OFF-WORLD NEWS UPDATE for October 17 - November 10, 2011

Keeping you up to date on all things Blade Runner

Blade Runner Papercraft

http://www.liveforfilms.com/2011/08/04/blade-runner-papercraft/blade-runner-paper/

♫ Blade Runner Westwood Edition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99SslGlst8g&feature=colike

FAN MADE: Stargate Studios Channels -- Blade Runner In This Short Film Titled "XXIT"

http://io9.com/5857780/short-film-pays-tribute-to-blade-runner-using-only-handheld-digital-cameras

Podcast from Edge Radio 99.3 FM in Australia -- "Blade Runner Special"

http://media18.podbean.com

Empire Magazine

Ridley Scott talks Blade Runner's future: empireonline.com

Blade Runner Comic Cover Homages

http://ilovecomiccovers.blogspot.com/2011/11/blade-runner-homages.html

"Cutting Wilbur Mercer out of [Blade Runner] was like cutting the whale out of Moby Dick." ~Marc Haefele. More here-> http://totaldickhead.blogspot.com

Check out Blade Runner tribute by *Hideyoshi on @deviantART

http://hideyoshi.deviantart.com/art/Blade-Runner-tribute-81806953

Blade Runner: Conversations About the Film -> http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/handle/1808/6599

A 1982 interview with Sean Young on Blade Runner -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIdlYzbugT8

Blade Runner - VK test on Leon - Lego -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Oy-bxVCEs

Photo: Blade Runner Parody Beer Logo “Nexus 6 Repicant Pale Ale” http://buzatron.tumblr.com/post/12076823225/blade-runner-parody-beer-logo-nexus-6-repicant

The Voight-Kampff Test -- for real -> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14900800

Blade Runner inspired Origami Unicorn design is now available on hooded tops: http://www.lastexittonowhere.com/shop/product/origami-unicorn-hooded-top/

Ridley Scott Says New BLADE RUNNER Will Be His Next Movie and “It’s Liable to Be a Sequel” -> http://collider.com/ridley-scott-blade-runner-sequel/124714/?awesm=fbshare.me_AemZE

Does a Blade Runner sequel have you worried? It does this one fan -> http://www.thevine.com.au/tech/news/a-blade-runner-sequel-has-us-worried20111109.aspx

Be sure and Follow @OffWorldNews on Twitter to receive these and other Blade Runner related news, (including screenings), as it comes in.

Have a better one!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

More Human Than Human - A Play

Inspired by the PKD book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and the movie Blade Runner, this theatrical production explores the lives of six genetic Replicants as they supersede their emotional design limitations and accept their emerging humanity.

Designed to serve the needs of humans on the Off-world Colonies, a commando, a whore, an assassin, a roughneck, an au pair, and nuclear weapons loader make a desperate plan for an escape to Earth, an extension of their 4-year lives, and unrestricted personal liberty.

Evolution always has a flash point. Experience this one.

More information HERE.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

OFF-WORLD NEWS UPDATE for October 1 - 13, 2011

Douglas Trumbull to Receive VES Georges Méliès Award http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/douglas-trumbull-ves-georges-melies-award-246716

Listen to the debut album by Kuedo – and read interview -- evokes a futuristic landscape reminiscent of Blade Runner

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/oct/10/kuedo-severant-album-stream

Margaret Atwood on Sci-Fi, Religion, and Her Love of 'Blade Runner'

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/margaret-atwood-on-sci-fi-religion-and-her-love-of-blade-runner/246573/

Link to walkthrough of Westwood's Blade Runner game via the Let's Play Archive added to the KippleZone website

http://lparchive.org/Blade-Runner/

An analysis of Blade Runner

http://www.gavinrothery.com/my-blog/2011/10/1/a-matter-of-electric-sheep.html

Daniel Cox cover - Blade Runner comic

http://coveredblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/daniel-cox-cover-blade-runner-1.html

Fan creates ridiculously authentic looking Blade Runner costume

http://blastr.com/2011/10/fan-creates-ridiculously.php

Blade Runner co-stars reunited in L.A. for the 50th Anniversary Stuntmens Gala Honoring Harrison Ford

http://www.movieline.com/2011/09/finally-the-harrison-fordsean-young-reunion-youve-been-waiting-for.php

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The BLADE RUNNER Convention Reel Resurfaces

“One of the Blade Runner Convention Reels featuring interviews with Ridley Scott, Syd Mead and Douglas Trumbull about making [the] Blade Runner universe. This 16mm featurette, made by M. K. Productions in 1982, is specifically designed to circulate through the country’s various horror, fantasy and science fiction conventions.”

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Ridley Scott to direct 'follow-up' to 'Blade Runner'.

Ridley Scott to direct 'follow-up' to 'Blade Runner'

By Gregg Kilday

Hollywood Reporter

Ridley Scott is returning to the futuristic world of "Blade Runner," his iconic 1982 film, for a new feature for Warners-based Alcon Entertainment.

Scoop: Leave my future, and 'Blade Runner,' alone.

Adapted from Philip K. Dick’s story "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?," Scott’s original film — with its mix of rainy, neon-lit exteriors, its human-like androids called replicants, and its shadowy, controlling corporation — established a template for dystopian views of the future. In 2007, it was named the second most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society.

While the new movie is being described as a "follow-up" to the first film, the filmmakers have not yet disclosed whether it will function as a prequel or a sequel to the original.

Alcon, the financing and production company behind movies like "The Blind Side" and "The Book of Eli," recently partnered with producer Bud Yorkin to produce new "Blade Runner" films as well as TV and interactive productions based on the property.

Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove will produce the new film with Yorkin, Cynthia Sikes Yorkin and Scott. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEOs of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

Scott, repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham, is currently completing another sci-fi feature "Prometheus," which has connections to his 1979 movie "Alien," and which will be released by Fox on June 8, 2012.

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44193291/ns/today-entertainment/t/ridley-scott-direct-new-blade-runner-movie/?fb_ref=.Tk2BuV5gdoc.like&fb_source=home_multiline

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Blade Runner’ Producer Says Not to Expect a New Film Before 2014; Harrison Ford Not Likely to Return

The biggest news of the day — and likely the week, perhaps even the month — is that Ridley Scott has agreed to direct a film that will be either a prequel or sequel to his 1982 classic Blade Runner. Details on the project are very thin right now; besides the simple fact of Alcon Entertainment holding the rights to make the film, and Scott agreeing to direct, there are no specifics.

Andrew Kosove from Alcon is, however, already talking about the many steps that have to be taken before a film will ever be released. Between needing to make big decisions about the overall story, hiring a writer and shaping the script, we shouldn’t expect the film to go into production before 2013. That means a 2014 release is the earliest we can expect the new Blade Runner. And what of original star Harrison Ford? Don’t expect to see him in the film, says Kosove.

The LA Times talked to Kosove, who described a meeting he and Alcon partner Broderick Johnson had with Ridley Scott, during which ” they hashed out how a new film would look, how it could avoid seeming too similar to the many movies that have since paid homage to the original, and how different the new film should be from the original itself.”

That meeting had a couple big results. One was a handshake agreement for Ridley Scott to produce and direct the new film. The other was that, whatever this new Blade Runner is, it will “stand as separately as possible” from the 1982 film. So the ‘not quite an Alien prequel’ status of Prometheus, the film Scott is finishing right now, certainly seems to be informing this project. (As Germain surmised.)

Now Scott has to meet with writers, choose one and wait for a first draft. So we’re looking at probably a minimum of 18 months to get the script and pre-production work done.

There is the question of possible participation from Harrison Ford, which Kosove addresses:

In no way do I speak for Ridley Scott. But if you’re asking me will this movie have anything to do with Harrison Ford, the answer is no. This is a total reinvention, and in my mind that means doing everything fresh, including casting.

I’m happy to hear that Ford isn’t likely to be involved, and there’s something about the phrase ‘total reinvention’ that I like in this context. At the same time, I have to admit that could mean anything right now. With no script, not even a screenwriter, it is very difficult to make any guesses. But hell, I liked the Prometheus footage. I’m more interested in that film than I ever expected to be interested in an Alien prequel, Ridley Scott or no.

Source:

http://www.slashfilm.com/blade-runner-producer-expect-film-2014/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+slashfilm+%28%2FFilm%29&utm_content=FaceBook

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Blade Runner Games

The Westwood Studios’ Blade Runner game crops up in articles, or on the web, from time to time. The game was advertised as "the first real time adventure game". The story featured "Blade Runner" Ray McCoy searching for Replicants in Los Angeles in the year 2019. It's either nostalgically recalled, or it is compared with recently developed games.

But this wasn't the first proposed Blade Runner game. There was the rare prototype board game back in 1982-83, released to test markets in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This was a licensed product bearing the Blade Runner Partnership trademark.

Then, in 1985, there was the CRL Group PLC released computer game for Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.

In 2008, however, there was yet another Blade Runner game under consideration. In a recent interview with Xbox Magazine, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford revealed that fellow Gearbox co-founder Brian Martell met with Alien and Blade Runner director Ridley Scott to discuss plans for the game.

The below text is from an article written by Matt Bradford at GamesRadar.

Being a Blade Runner fan is frustrating. Since its theatrical release in 1982, the cult sci-fi film has been used ad nauseum as a reference point to describe virtually any game that deals in dystopic futuristic subject matter, yet apart from Westwood Studios' point-and-click adventure game back in 1997, Deckard wannabes have not had an authentic Blade Runner title to speak of in ages. The kicker? Gearbox studios recently reminded The Official PlayStation Magazine it once owned the development rights for a Blade Runner IP, but ditched the opportunity out of fear the property wouldn't sell.

In his chat with OPM regarding Aliens: Colonial Marines, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford admitted the studio passed on the chance to collaborate with Ridley Scott on a Blade Runner video game, explaining, "That game would've cost like $40m to make and sold about 600,000 units - and that would have been the end of us...There's no rational business model that would have allowed that to make sense. If we'd made it with a business model that did work, it would not have been the Blade Runner game we all would have wanted."

This is the second time Pitchford has talked about Gearbox's flirtation with a Blade Runner game. In 2009, he told The Official Xbox Magazine it was a tempting proposition, but ultimately too much of a financial risk, noting, "You're going to spend 25 million, there's another 10-15 risk just in the publishing process, and then you got another 10-15 million marketing, and we didn't think that we could make that back. So that's too bad."

It is too bad – especially when games like Prey 2, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Mass Effect 3 prove the Blade Runner spirit is alive and well but just bagging skinjobs under a slew of different names.

In the December 2010 issue of Edge Magazine, there is an article titled “The Making of Blade Runner”. In it, it describes how this game changed the rules of graphics and gameplay in video game technology. The website Dead End Thrills features some of its art in an article titled "The Lost Art Of Blade Runner".

Have a better one!

~ Kipple

LINKS:

Blade Runner games created over the years

MORE Lost Art of Blade Runner

(Updated June 30, 2012)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Blade Runner ~ The Musical

A new life awaits you ...

Alcon Entertainment had acquired film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic 1982 science-fiction thriller Blade Runner. This, of course, has created quite a stir amongst fans of the film.

Alcon’s franchise rights would be all-inclusive, but exclude rights to remake the original. The Company, however, may produce projects based on situations introduced in the original film. The project would be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. International rights are yet to be determined.

Alcon Entertainment has stated: “We are honored and excited to be in business with Bud Yorkin. This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us. We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”

This offers a unique and limitless opportunity to explore the many possibilities for collaborations -- officially and legally -- between Alcon Entertainment and the many artists that have been inspired by this film.

The intersection of stage and film — the future of entertainment?

In an article written by Chris Conrad of the Mail Tribune, he writes how the film-to-stage experiment intrigues him. He mentioned a few movies that critics already consider "stagey", and then threw in his own picks. Among his picks was "Blade Runner".

The columnist wrote, “My heart would swell and burst if some intrepid director could bring Blade Runner to the stage.” He’s certainly passionate about his conviction with wanting this "science-fiction stage show".

And, I must say–personally–I think it would be an awesome endeavour. If done cleverly, it could very well be the next best thing. Of course, there will be those against such an idea, just as there are those against a re-make, sequel or prequel. But, this would be different.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in a project that came close to the idea of bringing Blade Runner to the stage. I wrote lyrics to the splendidly crafted music of Marco Spatuzzi. And it was performed live, along side the movie Blade Runner, in a production titled Blade Runner: The Rock Project.

Looking at some of the movies or television programs that have been adapted to musicals on Broadway might give you an idea of the possible success such a venture could have. Just to name a few; Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers and The Addams Family.

Is it the future of entertainment? For live entertainment, it certainly can be.

All the stage is an Off-world

In the BR-Rock Project, we presented a new way of viewing the neo-noir film Blade Runner. The idea was to translate, in music and in words, the over-industrialized; multi-ethnic; dehumanized; polluted environment; depiction of a dystopian future, with focus on the storyline, and the character's relationships and feelings.

The movie was projected on a screen accompanied with original music composed by Marco Spatuzzi, and performed by his group Memoria. It was rock oriented, but didn't neglect the ambiance of the cyberpunk film setting. The songs paired with the scenes, savoring every key element in the film. The music enhanced the vision, whilst the lyrics, written by C.A. Chicoine, reinforced the story.

In all, twenty-five songs (of which eight are instrumentals) were written for this production, spanning the entire length of the actual film. With some modifications, the musical numbers could be easily adapted to a Broadway-style musical.

To learn more about the project, and to listen to some of the songs, you may visit the website BladeRunnerRock for further information.

Bringing Blade Runner to the musical stage would not only deliver this epic story to a new audience, but it would also complement the Blade Runner franchise with class -- Broadway-style.

Samples from the set.

MEMORIA ~ Merchants of Souls by BladeRunnerRock

Merchants of Souls is performed during the scene where Deckard weaves through the crowds of people at Animoid row with what he believes is a fish scale.

This is the only song that does not describe the feelings or thoughts of one of the characters in the movie. This one paints the scene of Animoid row, a section of the city where merchants sell artificial animals.

Memoria ~ Looking Through the Eyes of a Child by BladeRunnerRock
Looking Through the Eyes of a Child is performed during the scene when Deckard brings Rachael back to his apartment after Deckards' encounter with Leon. At this point in the film, Rachael has come to terms with who she really is. The song is sung from her perspective.

My Mind Lies by BladeRunnerRock
My Mind Lies is performed at the end of the film. It is sung from the perspective of Deckard. He is expressing his feelings to Rachael.

Contact: CAChicoine@Satellite2Music.com