Chopper Optioned For A Feature Film
Aug 10, 2011
According to Variety, Dilemma has optioned a movie script for Asylum Press' horror comic Chopper by series writer Martin Shapiro. See the YouTube video trailer for the comic, featuring a thrash soundtrack from Nuclear Blast metal legends, Exodus!
From screenwriter Martin Shapiro and acclaimed artist Juan Ferreyra comes a modern-day reimagining of the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow fame. After taking a strange new drug with supernatural side effects at a party, a rebellious high school cheerleader starts seeing ghosts and is stalked by the Reaper, a headless Hell's Angel on a motorcycle who collects the souls of sinners.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Check out the Web series trailer!
NOTE: Mature content. Parental discretion advised.
Chopper marks the first project moving into production from a scheduled slate of branded programming that Dilemma will distribute across a variety of traditional and non-traditional channels.
The company has already lined up a number of sponsors eager to support the development of branded content that will resonate authentically with today’s digitally connected consumer. Director JC Christofilis said, "The advertising landscape is experiencing a seismic shift toward brands engaging consumers on a deeper level by actually entertaining them with premium, social content versus interrupting them with inferior ads that simply get ignored.”
For Chopper, Southern California-based action sports apparel brand Sullen immediately recognized the potential for the horror and heavy metal music related storylines to strike a chord with their key, young male demographic and became a supporter early in the process. Sullen Clothing's co-founder Jeremy Hanna added, "We pride ourselves on being an innovative, art-driven company, and JC laid out a clear vision of how Chopper's creative execution will enable Sullen to authentically reinforce our edgy brand values with our existing fans, while driving awareness of our products with a new consumer base as well.
The teaser trailer pulls no punches in delivering the mayhem and gore true horror fans come to expect with such quality entertainment. DILEMMA tapped a far-reaching network of Hollywood veterans to execute the concept with the highest possible level of craftsmanship and production value despite the challenges of lower budgets typically associated with online content.
The project’s VFX team completed work on ‘The Green Hornet’, and the practical FX team lead, Jeff Farley, has over 30 years experience delivering effects for such horror classics as The Blob and Pet Semetary.
Mr. Christofilis commented, "My intent was to showcase that Hollywood-level production value is truly possible in the online realm and we can reach vast online communities that justify increased budgets in this space. Traditional talent and producers are acknowledging the fact that the long-promised potential of so-called ‘convergent’ media is finally being achieved and they would be wise to step up their involvement in fast evolving mediums such as online and mobile. Our star, Tyler Mane, is famous for playing roles in traditional fare such as Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s last two Halloween films and Sabertooth in X-Men; yet, he was able to envision how online will be instrumental in diversifying his stature in the industry. He was bold enough to embrace this medium as the future.”
On the digital front, Dilemma has recently expanded Chopper's creative team to include contributions from Transmedia Producer Nina Bargiel. In addition to television writing credits on Disney's Lizzie McGuire, Nina co-created last year's hit MTV web series Valemont.
