DIE OFFICIAL TEASER POSTER

I am proud to present the official Teaser poster of the film I wrote titled DIE (directed by frequent collaborator Dominic Laurence James).

DIE is produced by Andre Rouleau, Andrea Marotti and Don Carmody (the same fella who produced a little film called RESIDENT EVIL 3D, which is currently sitting in the number 1 spot for the Weekend Box office). They also happen to be the same producer team that I'm currently working with on QUEBRADA 3D.

We shot the film last year and it will be released next spring. The title has a double meaning. Think about it and it will come to you. Does the film have comic book influences? What do you think? If Two-Face had a crazy brother his name would be JACOB ODD. You'll know more about him after you see the film.

What is DIE about? I hate giving away secrets, thus I will opt to remain nebulous. Suffice it to say that DIE is an epic locked room mystery with global consequences. It's about fate versus pre-determinism and how choice and chance affect who we will become... and of course people will die horribly.

Six sides to a die. Six ways to die.

Terrifying scene that was even scarier to watch as it was being filmed. The film is called DIE, not everyone makes it out alive.

The always fantastic Elias Koteas making the most important decision he'll ever have to make. A true gentleman. An actor's actor.

Stephen MacHattie teaching a lesson. You've seen him in everything from WATCHMEN to 300. An industry veteran. Much respect.

The alluring Caterina Murino (the Bond girl from Casino Royale) in a pivotal scene.

His fate has been decided.

Jacob Odd (the awesome John Pyper Ferguson) displaying his sensitive side.

Our heroine, the ever resourceful Emily Hampshire.

That's a picture of my daughter. Why is it included in this blog? Because she rocks!

I have to admit, it really is cool when you see something you worked on so hard come to life. Sometimes I can't even believe that there's a film out there about to be released, which bears my name in the credits. It's a mind-blasting notion. As soon as I'm allowed to post a trailer, it will be here. Stay tuned.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts upon seeing DIE.

Your Friend,

D.

IS IT BASED ON A GRAPHIC NOVEL?

When I think quintessential writers, the image that is seared into my brain is John Turturro in BARTON FINK. He's the blueprint for haggard writers who go to hell and back for their craft on a daily basis.

As a writer working in the entertainment industry, you have to learn how to sell not only yourself but your idea. Both are equally important. The art of the pitch is crucial. I've had the opportunity to be on both sides of the pitch table. I've given countless pitches and I've heard several as well.

Working in the entertainment industry has enabled me to sit in on a few absolutely mind-blowing pitches. I thought I would share a few.

I will be doing a series of articles dealing with various pitches that I participated in. The series will henceforth be known as--

TRUE HOLLYWOOD PITCH MEETINGS

Hit the link below to see an accurate re-enactment, that I wrote and directed, of a pitch I heard a few years ago:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6970191

or HIT the IS IT BASED ON A GRAPHIC NOVEL right above Barton Fink's head.

Your Friend,

D.

DO BABIES DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?

Whenever I feel exhausted beyond belief, beaten down, spent and haggard... I tip-toe into the bedroom and watch this angel sleep. It's all I need. It powers me up, instills me with bravery. This may be one of my favorite photos of my little darling and it was taken with my phone... but damn-me to hell if it's not perfection. I love that it looks like she's flying through her dream world in a superhero pose.

I also love that it makes me wonder what babies dream of.

Your Friend,

D.

COOL BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM MY WIFE!

DR. DESTRUCTOR!

This is the latest addition to my work desk, which is really a stainless steel autopsy table (what can I say, I like the macabre). His name is Dr. Destructor and he was gifted to me by my darling Wife who is always endeavoring to get me unique gifts that have greater meaning in my life. Since I've been working on a top secret Luche Libre project for the better part of a year, this Luche Libre fighter dressed in evening wear, certainly fits the bill. In fact, he was the inspiration for a very cool party sequence in the aforementioned project.

Many thanks to my Lady of Forever who surprised me with this styling fighter. It really made me happy.

Your Friend,

D.

MY FIRST SAN DIEGO COMICON!

Sitting atop Thor's Asgardian Throne. One of the cooler things I saw at the Con.

Haven't posted in forever. Was knee deep in a project. Have about a week or so before I begin the next writing assignment, so I thought I would give you guys a little update on my shenanigans. I went to the San Diego Comicon last weekend and these are my thoughts on the event.

My first experience at the San Diego Comicon was eye-popping but also extremely exhausting. As much as I loved walking the floor, I do believe the Con has to be moved to somewhere like Las Vegas. The Con has outgrown San Diego. There's not enough room and far too many geeks and pretend geeks flooding the streets of San Diego. There is much price-gauging, as in-- 10$ an hour parking-- to sky high prices for decidedly crappy Hotel Rooms. Las Vegas would instantly eliminate all those problems... and the nightlife is way cooler in Sin City.

My impressions of the Con:

Well, it didn't start off smoothly-- I won't get into the details but some people we're not very kind to yours truly (even after they saw them waiting in a crazy line-up)-- while some did their best to make the situation flow smoothly. I won't mention names but they know who they are.

Hall H is a disaster zone. Line-ups begin at 7:00AM and it only gets worse and crankier all day long. We managed to finagle our way in, only because my Wife has a huge set of cajones but this event needs to move to Vegas, so they can get a huge 20 000 seater for the big presentations (Thor, Captain America, Green Lantern, etc).

Security is way too lax. The Wife and I were musing that so many costumed characters have realistic looking guns, knives and other assorted weaponry that it would be extremely easy to smuggle in the real thing and take out the entire Avengers panel... and moments later the news that someone was stabbed in the face with a pen in Hall H spread like wildfire. It was a weird psychic moment. One of many coincidences that happened this past weekend.

The people of San Diego: Some were nice and some tried to run me over. While walking in a parking lot after the Con, an asshole that was in line to pay suddenly decided to back up for no apparent reason, hitting me. The weird part-- I was telling my Wife-- "Wouldn't it suck if this guy suddenly backs up"... and then he did. I got angry at the culprit and instead of apologizing, the douchebag was about to come out of his car and start a fight. Stay classy San Diego.

Don Murphy was right about San Diego... but that's another story for another blog.

My final thoughts on Comicon: Overwhelming, exhausting and sometimes infuriating. Will only go back when they change venue/locations/city and when my film is featured at the Con.

It shouldn't be called Comicon anymore. It should be called BLOCKBUSTER-CON because the actual comic booths were located in the ass end of the hall. San Diego Comicon has become the Cannes of Blockbusters. Made me sad really. What made me sadder was hearing legendary comic writer Chris Clairemont lament the fate of comic books and how they've become second and third fiddle to the films at Comicon. It was kind of heartbreaking to see such desolation and resignation in Clairemont's eyes.

The women were a lot hotter than I thought they would be. There was a lot more scantily clad chicks than I've ever seen in one place. Way too many Slave Leia's (can there be such a thing?). Wife was surprised as well.

I did enjoy walking the floor quite a bit. Bought some plushies for my baby girl and got lots of cool geek swag that I'm still sifting through.

Really awesome Tron Light cycle. Tron had the coolest floor presence. By far.

This Tron Action Figure will be on my desk come Christmas time.

The DC Universe trailer was better than any comic book film ever made. This is how you make a Justice League film WB!

My Wife wanted me to take a picture of nerds in action. True story. These geeks came to comicon to play cards. I'm a geek but come on, guys! You're making us look bad.

Life-size bumble-bee. Gotta say, it was pretty sweet.

Matt Groening legendary creator/mogul/recluse of the SIMPSONS. Signing autographs. Cool.

The very awesome Bear Jew from Inglorious Basterds. Eli Roth is the shit. Great genre stuff ahead for him. You'll see.

Giant life-size Na'vi was damn sexy. Cameron knew what he was doing when he designed this creature. Maximum sexiness.

One of the cool Hall H panels. Way too many people and much stabbier than I thought it would be. Geeks can be a violent lot. Comicon, I implore you to move to Vegas!

Luche Libre was represented at the Con. Bring it on. Would be nice to be here next year with QUEBRADA!

Wife and I posing with BartMan. Notice the Wife with her new EXPENDABLES tattoo. I got one as well, courtesy of the fine folks at Lionsgate. It was one of the cooler promotions at Comicon. Yes, my wife is the shit.

Justice League Unite! This warms my heart. Can't say why but it does. I love me some geeks who have the balls to show up in full costume. Kudos!

Who ya gonna call? That was the question I asked myself while waiting in line for the UTA party all night long. Long, ugly story.

Standing in Green Lantern's shadow. Very cool.

Finally, I have fulfilled my prophecy of becoming a Man of Action.

District 9 kid creature was sufficiently creepy and yet endearing. You just want to pick him up and feed him MM's or Reeses Pieces;)

Very cool building advert for the Strauss Brothers SKYLINE. The brothers completely financed the film by themselves and own the print. Ballsy. I like it. My way of doing business.

Hanging with a few Iron Men. Stan Winston=Genius.

See you next time Comicon! Hopefully in Vegas!

Your Friend,

D.

QUEBRADA ART

Haven't posted in a while. Been busy as all hell working on this awesome project.

Proposed Image of the main baddie in QUEBRADA. Pretty awesome.

Your Friend,

D.

MY TRIBUTE TO HABS GOALIE JAROSLAV HALAK

He was forgotten. He was a disrespected. He was branded a career backup... and now he is the best goaltender in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Jaroslav Halak is the primary reason the Montreal Canadians are in the second round of the playoffs tied at two games a piece with the low class Penguins. Jaro has always been the unsung hero of the Montreal Canadians ever since his first appearance in a Habs uniform. We made the playoffs because of him and we have a chance to go all the way solely due to him. I'm going to make a prediction: If the Habs beat the Penguins they are going all the way. It just seems like one of those years when this team has no quit. Even in the face of repulsive reffing this team continues to find ways to win.

A side note. What is happening with the blown calls in this series? Have the refs decided that the Pens absolutely need to advance in order to guarantee ratings? Crosby broke two opponents sticks tonight and there was no call. The Habs Hall Gill broke a stick and was instantly called. Different rules for the NHL's biggest crybaby. Sid the Kid needs to grow up because Canada is quickly losing respect for it's favorite Olympian.

Back to the Fortress known as Halak, I just want to say that you made my day sir. Now let's go all the way.

GO HABS GO!

Your Friend,

D.