The series began with an ensemble cast of both unknown and experienced indie actors from the Austin/San Antonio area. At the helm, Brett Mauser, a vetted director with more than 15 completed films to his credit, shrouded the entire production under a cloak of secrecy. Even the principle actors had no clue what the movie was about. Scripts were distributed as fragments of scenes comprised of only dialogue necessary for the actor to complete his part of the scene.
"The film was shot by location and the actors were never certain in which film they were acting."
Each film was shot as a stand alone feature but comprised a segment of the whole Saga. Screening of the first film "InnocentKillers" filled two large auditoriums of the Alamo DraftHouse Westlakes in San Antonio in June of 2008. The film introduced the principle characters of the Saga and set the groundwork for a clever, if not confusing, plot which would span 9 future films. Many audience members, including cast and crew, left the movie with questions and not a small amount of excitement. Brett makes it habit to trail the current episode with a teaser for the next film, whetting the appetite and frustrating the patience. The second feature, "Shadow Dragon" would not be seen for 3 more months.
"Throughout the Saga other films in the Ponderous Universe are referenced."
Time travel to the future - to today. Nine of the movies have screened premieres and many of the mysteries have been solved. The big mystery, however has not. What was Jax talking about that 'he cannot ever know?' If you have not seen the movies they are available at Amazon or more easily at www.ponderousproductions.com.
The tenth film Apocrypha, is to be premiered at the Alamo DraftHouse Westlakes in May of 2010. If you have seen the films, you may appreciate the cleverness of the name. If not, the film will answer all your questions. Brett is known to have written the Saga over the past 20 years. Incredibly, every film he has produced in what he calls "The Ponderous Universe" is intertwined with the story of the Saga. The main villain, Collin Donovan, played by Craig Rainey is eluded to but is never seen until the Innocent Killers. Many of the characters from the previous Ponderous films appear in the Saga where their true roles are revealed. In short, the organization and arrangement of the Ponderous Universe films is remarkable.
Brett Mauser is somewhat of a recluse in his film making. He spends excruciating hours on set and on location filming, where he is friendly engaging and completely in charge. After filming is wrapped he secludes himself within his editing room where he crafts his films with adroit creativity. Between projects he and Executive Producer, Amanda Nutting, grapple with the business end of the films they produce.
As an actor, I put great weight behind a Ponderous trait: they always complete any film they begin. In a climate where the industry is in ample supply of film makers, there is a short supply of commitment to complete a film
"I have personally acted in 38 films. At least 30% have never seen post production."
Due to this fact, and largely to Brett's genius in his conception and writing of a film, actors show unwavering loyalty to a director that many call the next Spielberg.
The Innocence Saga is a weighty piece of film making. The plot has so many twists and turns that, to many, it is hard to stay abreast of the story. This, incidentally, is not due to writing or acting but rather in the complexity and intellectual stimulus the movie portrays. Throughout the Saga other films in the Ponderous Universe are referenced. If one has not seen the films it is difficult to follow the story. If the associated scenes had been included each of the 10 features the Saga would make for a 3 to 4 hour film experience. To aid the neophyte, Brett is creating an episodic presentation of the Saga in which segments of the other films will be included in the story line as they fit into the plot. Each episode is cut to a 42 minute length with the additional scenes included. The episodic series is not available yet but will be presented at a later date.
Brett and company recently completed their first western: Bass Reeves, which has been distinguished as official selection of 4 film festivals and has been purchased for distribution nationwide this Summer. Look for many great things from Ponderous Productions. Watch for the premiere date for the 10th in the Innocence Saga - Apocrypha
Dear Craig:
ReplyDeleteI followed the link to your blog in order to make sure you read my reply to your comment on Palingates. Here it is:
Your comment under the "Connect The Dots" post about Murdoch being behind Palin's Discovery Channel show was:
Sarah Palin, as are all former diplomats, entitled to retain their title for life. Even Nixon is still referred to as President. Discovery and Murdoch no a media draw when they see one. There is no conspiracy only the opportunity to make a profit. Profit is an obscenity to most people because the destruction of free market is coming quickly - either through governmental intervention or through relegating commerce to a scandal, as you are attempting to do here.
Here is my reply:
1. Nixon is referred to as Former President Nixon.
2. This is not about conspiracy. It is about revealing who the businessman is behind the deal. Murdoch has an unsavory reputation as a tabloid despoiler of respected institutions such as print and television news, journalism, etc. Now he's making his influence felt in cable television. If a member of the cable viewing audience does not want to support Murdoch's brand of media, they can make the choice to take their dollars elsewhere.
3. No one here considers making a profit is an obscenity. This is a conclusion you have jumped to in error. I am self employed and depend on the profit motive to keep me writing and working. Many people here run small businesses or work for them. Others work for larger companies or have retired after years of working. The people that destroy free enterprise will be those who are inspired to take up guns against their own state's Congress members, those who throw bricks, engage in insults rather than debate and try to use intimidation in the streets. Fear of being able to go about one's business because of an atmosphere of violence is what strangles and destroys commerce and industry.
Thanks for coming here and reading and at least entertaining alternate viewpoints. And we appreciate those that do so without using insults and obscene language as our comments are open and unmoderated, in the true spirit of free speech.