Sci-fi Creative Corner

Your host Amanda, gives a quick spoiler-free review of both First Man and The Predator movies and which review she agrees and disagrees with.  In First Man she points out similarities between wife Janet Armstrong played by Claire Foy and Theory of Everything - Jane Hawking, played by Felicity Jones. Although nothing beats the original Predator and the first AVP, listen to her reasons why this new re-boot gave a lifeline to the franchise.

For part 2 of this interview with Darion D'Anjou, we continue asking some interesting and tough questions about his experience as a black science fiction film director. 1. How do you know when the story is complete?  2. How do you keep your stories original?  3. What is a typical day on set?

In this 3rd episode with Darion D'Anjou, answers more of our probing questions. 1. Where do you start when you get a project? 2. What are some of the misconceptions about making a film and the industry as a whole? 3. What is the one mistake most filmmakers make, regardless of experience?

For part 2 of this interview with Darion D'Anjou, we continue asking some interesting questions about his experience as a black science fiction film director. 1. How long have you been making films?  2. What do you like most about making films?  3. What makes a film great for you?

Co-hosts, Mason Demerieux, Andre Jarboe and Amanda Ray, interview CEO Rodolphe (Ro) Pierre-Louis and COO Luke Thompson, visual effects company, serving the visual effects industry.  Here's a list of some questions we asked: What is the best way for someone to get into visual effects? What programs do you use the most for creating visual effects? What is a typical work day like? What was your biggest project? What was your hardest project? What are some of the biggest misconceptions about creating visual effects?

Our special guest today is Darion D'Anjou, writer and director of the sci-fi short, HOP.  It was the official selection in the 2017 Atlanta Sci-fi Film Festival. And our co-host today is Andre Jarboe.  Here's a list of some questions we asked Darion in this 4 part episode. What roadblocks did you face when you were starting out?  What would you say to your younger self about the industry?  What do you like most about making films?  Where do you start when you get a project?  What is the one mistake most filmmakers make, regardless of experience?  How do you know when the story is complete?  How do you keep your stories original?

SPOILER FREE!!! Special guest Natasha Mayet joins Amanda in discussing the new sci-fi movie KIN, which will be released Aug 31st.  But they had the pleasure to see an advance screening of the film and meet with the directors Jon and Josh Baker and lead actor Myles Truitt! They kick it off with a bit of background on Natasha, an actress who grew up  South Africa and India and loves sci-fi as well as vampire movies! They also discuss: How well the actors did in this film and Myles Truitt 2nd film experience.  And how he will inspire other under-represented actors to get into the science fiction genre.  And Jack Reynor's strong performance as well the awesome work of the Baker brothers and Zoe Kravitz!

Amanda announces the date of the 3rd Annual !  She also covers the following: Film Categories Increase in film submissions from African Americans, Women and International films Types of films received Reason for this year's late festival announcement Voting for your favorite sf film Volunteer positions available Launching the New Atl Film Fest Facebook and Instagram pages!

SPOILER ALERT!  Please watch the film First.  Today's host, Amanda gives her reasons as to why you should give Netflix's Extinction a chance.  Here are the highlights: Following familiar alien invasion tropes was there to just throw you off and make the twist that much more juicy! Great twist making the humans the invading aliens and the A.I. the innocent ones. Agreed this film has a lot of issues, but other sf films like A Quiet Place got rave reviews, but wasn't fully worthy of all that praise!   Did critics throw Extinction into the sucks bucket based on previous Netflix sf movies, before even giving it a chance?? We have such high expectations from Netflix movies now, can they ever meet their own bar? Is it a coincidence that most, (if not all) of the sci-fi films with a diverse cast, are the one’s having the plot and rating problems?  Probably, but it's still a bit disappointing. What do you guys think??  Tell us on our page.

In part 2 of our interview with Cashell Horgan, Director of the short film, .  Cashell discuss his years teaching film in Ireland, using combination of puppet animation and CGI to make Clockmakers Dream.  How to find the right cast and crew!  Just wrapped a new fantasy film short based on created in 1912.  Also just did a dark fantasy animated short with the .  Why Clockmakers Dream was a perfect fit for The Atlanta Sci-fi Film Festival!  What does Irish culture look like in science fiction narratives.  Look out for the Clockmakers Dream on  Coming Soon!