Con Trek, the new episodic series on the Microsoft XBOX Video Marketplace covering the world of conventions and festivals, is the result of innovation, vision, and persistence. Conceived by Nashville's dynamic duo of Stephen and Suzie Lackey, who produced the successful documentary feature "Fans and Freaks" on the world of Fan Cons, Con Trek is quickly gaining momentum, becoming a shining example of independent content development and strategic usage of emerging new media markets. With two vibrant and very talented show hosts (Brittney Eskew and Alan Smith), several episodes under their belt, and a distribution model that offers alot of possibilities for growth, Con Trek is poised to become a true independent hit. In today's indie adventure, we will be visiting with Stephen and Suzie Lackey to get some background on Con Trek; what it is, what's been done so far, and where it's going. It has some great lessons for independent content developers regarding persistence and planning. Nowhere else will you get the kind of inside coverage of science fiction, fantasy, and horror events and conventions that you will with Con Trek. Be sure to check out an episode on the XBOX Video Marketplace today! -Stephen Zimmer for Indie Movie Masters Blog, July 26,2009 SZ: Tell us a little about your respective backgrounds as it pertains to indie filmmaking. Stephen: Well, I thought for years I was going to be a rock star, or at least work in the music business. While I was in college I switched my focus to TV production. While I was in college I worked at the local television station and did some student video projects. When Suzie and I were married was the first time I worked on a feature project. Suzie: I have been a film fan for as long as I can remember. I went to film school at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. Instead of tackling a short film first, my husband Stephen and I jumped headfirst into a feature documentary film entitled Fans and Freaks: The Culture of Comics and Conventions. After being in production for two years, the film was completed in 2002 and has played several film festivals and won a few awards along the way. It still plays conventions and genre events. I know I learned more from making the film versus sitting in the classroom. Since that film, Stephen and I have directed several short documentary films. SZ: Tell us a little about what Con Trek is, in terms of format and style. Stephen: Con Trek is a documentary television series that visits different conventions or festivals each episode. The show is brief at less that a half hour but it goes a little beyond the typical sound bites that most other shows that try to cover the subject stick too. The show is earthy and deep in the middle of each event in an attempt to really draw the viewer into the proceedings. If you're a fan of the particular convention or subject you'll feel right at home and if you aren't you'll get to see some things you may never get to see any other way. The show is currently available exclusively on the the XBOX 360. The show can be found in the Video Marketplace under Gamer TV. The series is also listed under Independent programming. Suzie: Each episode is approximately 17-25 minutes in length, but don’t let the run time fool you: we pack a lot into a short amount of time. Here is a preview of one Con Trek's first episode from season one. SZ: Who are the main players on the Con Trek team? Stephen: Stephen Lackey (me) producer/director/editor Suzie Lackey producer/director Brittney Eskew host Alan Smith host Mike Young photographer/production assistant Julie Trull Publicist SZ: How and when did you come up with the concept for Con Trek? What were the main inspirations? Stephen: Well, our first feature was a film called "Fans and Freaks: The Culture of Comics and Conventions". It was a documentary about the world of fandom. We had really good success with that film and over the years have been constantly asked when and if we would do a seque

An evil army is approaching, and a lead character is lamenting the power and flexibility of evil in the world...the monologue draws to a pivotal moment...the actor's voice swells...and... "All we have is Steel!...Wizardry! All we have is defense!" This line, from a character played by the actor Steve Guynn in an upcoming Jerry Williams fantasy film, is just one of many, many examples of the great lines that one encounters in a Jerry Williams film! Jerry Williams is an indie filmmaker extraordinaire. He is a guy who usually has multiple films in various stages of production, and has crafted a style that can only be described as his very own, unique genre. He definitely pushes the envelope with his work, and elicits alot of reactions, ranging from those that love his signature style (count me in this group), to others less inclined, such as a film reviewer that actually called for someone, somewhere to punch Jerry for making the film that the guy was reviewing (true story!). One thing that is indisputable is that you will be hard-pressed to find someone who is more passionate about independent film. You will also be sorely challenged to find someone who is more gracious in the goodwill and support that Jerry regularly extends to other filmmakers of all genres and styles. From cardboard sets and creative uses of his cat (note to Humane Society: the cat has never been harmed and is, in fact, quite spoiled!), to voluptuous actresses leaving little to the imagination, to cult independent film stars such as Debbie Rochon, Conrad Brooks, and Troma's Loyd Kaufman, Jerry's works always have the unexpected and the original. What most people don't realize is that underneath all of the onscreen insanity, Jerry actually injects a serious literary undercurrent, an example of which he discusses in this interview concerning his feature "Misadventures in Space". Jerry is a playright, poet, and prose writer as well, and we wanted to bring a little of that aspect out in this interview, and encourage the reader to look into his excellent poetry collection that is in print, called Mirrors and Portraits. It is my intention that this interview gives the reader a little insight into the craziness, humor, work ethic, committment, talent, dedication, and other characteristics that Jerry possesses. (The genius right alongside the offbeat and insane, so to speak!) You will also hopefully get a sense of his collaborative spirit, as well as get to meet a few of his regular cohorts such as Pat Bowling and Eric Butts. The indie filmmaking world is not an easy one, and Jerry puts his heart and soul into his work. With all the things stacked against the no-budget indie filmmaker, Jerry's progress, success, and prolific filmmaking nature gives inspiration to all of us; the "Steel, Wizardry, and Defense!", if you will, to keep fighting the good fight for independent film. So here it goes! Buckle up, hold on to your seat! Now...Ladies and Gentlemen...the long-awaited IMM interview with Goatboy Films' legendary and controversial director, Jerry Williams!!! -Stephen Zimmer, for Indie Movie Masters, June 25, 2009 SZ: We know you are a brilliant, genius filmmaker, but give us a little idea as to your background, education, that kind of thing. JW: I've always been a writer, first and foremost, and I got a masters degree in creative writing from MSU....two things from that time have always influenced my cinema work are my love of hidden messages in writing and my love of the grotesque...Lovecraft, Tolkien, and my personal favorite Clive Barker. In literary criticism, one of the things of Hemingway that struck me was he was very direct in his writing, but if you peered deeper in...there was hidden meanings in such simple direct sentence structures. I like the idea of my films, no matter how simple or silly it appears should have some deeper levels. I had read once that Gene Roddenberry made star trek a vehicle where he could talk about the human condition under the guis

Every so often you encounter individuals in the indie film world who are talented, genuinely supportive of indie film and filmmakers, and who are straight-shooters. Nic Brown, mastermind of the popular indie film site B Movie Man, is one of these uncommon individuals. In addition to running the rapidly growing B Movie Man site, which has articles, reviews, interviews, trailers, and much more covering the world of independent film and b-films, Nic is also a very talented author, photographer, martial artist, and has even made a foray into talent representation. Indie Movie Masters is proud to spotlight Nic Brown in all of these areas, from the world of B-Movie Man, to his excellent book Blood Curse, to his work with actress Tucky Williams. We hope that you get a little idea about Nic, a guy who everyone involved in indie films can count as an ally and friend. The good reputation that he enjoys among a great number of individuals within the indie film community is indeed well-earned.-Stephen Zimmer, for Indie Movie Masters, June 17, 2009 SZ: First, tell us a little about Nic Brown, your background, main interests, etc. NB: Well I've been into movies for as long as long as I can remember. I got interested in B-Movies back in the 80's when grew up watching COMMANDER USA'S GROOVY MOVIES every Saturday afternoon on the USA Network. I also put myself through college working at a movie theater. I was a projectionist and finally a manager before I quit to go teach English in Japan for three years. While in Japan I was able to pursue my interest in writing and was regularly featured in several English language publications put out over there. That's also where I met my wife, although she's British, not Japanese. She was another English teacher. After we got back to the States I went to work for a Japanese trading company and I'm still there. I love the writing and the B-Movies, but I have to pay the bills too. As for my hobbies and interests, I love traveling, especially to other countries. Reading, I'm always reading a book of some kind. Here's a shocker, I love movies! I also do yoga, kung-fu, I'm an avid skier (not the easiest hobby to have living in Kentucky). SZ: Obviously, you like indie films, B-Films, and that kind of thing. So what are some of your favorite films? NB: That’s a tough question. It depends on my mood. For mainstream films: ALIENS, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, John Woo's HARD BOILED, LE PACTE DE LOUPS (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF), L.A. STORY, EUROTRIP, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and LEON (THE PROFESSIONAL). From the independent film side: TROMEO & JULIET, TREK, BRAIN DEAD, THE CELLAR DOOR, UNDER THE RAVEN’S WING, DEAD MOON RISING and BONNIE & CLYDE VS. DRACULA. Of course there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind right away. SZ:What are some of the things/qualities that you look for in a good independent film/B-Movie? NB: For a good independent film I’m looking for originality, a good story and believable performances from the cast. Things like special effects and expensive sets are just extras. One more thing that is extremely important for a good independent film, which unfortunately is often overlooked, is the sound. I’m very forgiving of most of things when it comes to independent film, but if I can’t hear the dialogue, whether due to poor sound recording or the soundtrack music playing over it, I can’t enjoy the film. As for a good B-Movie, that’s easy: is it entertaining? If it is, then it’s a good B-Movie. SZ: Tell us about the original idea/concept for B Movie Man, and when was the site launched. NB: In mid-August 2006 I had the opportunity to meet two of my favorite authors, John Ringo and Dr. Travis S. Taylor (Google them if you don't know who they are). It was a small book signing in a mall in Tennessee and since it wasn't very busy we talked a lot. The publisher had a contest to win dinner with them and I lost, but they were nice enough to take me anyway! So I got to really know a couple of autho