Mega Man fan film

[Shiraishi-kun]

There is currently a full-length, live-action Mega Man fan film in production. It follows the plot of Mega Man's origin story and the story of the first game,and rather faithfully, might I add. Aspects of later games are being fit into the movie as well, such as Proto Man (who's whistle will also be in the film). The movie is on track to be released by August/September 2009 for DVD and download.

Main Website: http://megamanfilm.com/

Movie Blog: http://megaman.ningin.com/

Film Trailer in High Quality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PajVSYD5ME&feature=channel_page

The blog has two Q&A sessions posted,so if you have any questions, check those first. I am on theblog as the member CCharmanderK and all 11 of my answered questions can be found in the second Q&A session.

So far,I love how this film is looking. What about you guys?

[Kona]

OMG. im a HUGE fan of the original and X series. hopefully this doesnt turn out liek dragonball evoluion

[Shiraishi-kun]

According to what Eddie Lebron, the director, has told me and other fans, he is a huge Mega Man fan himself and is a talented independent director (I know from experience, having seen two of his works). He has seen Dragon Ball: Evolution and doesn't like it, saying that it basically went "screw you" to whatever the fans liked and went with something different.

He reallyis trying his damndest to make a great movie. I have seen and read enough promo material to know that he is not slouching on any details. He's making sure it's done right.

[Droote]

Live-action?
It's not a joke like the Zelda live-action film?

[Shiraishi-kun]

Actually, there WAS a Zelda fan film released on June 6th.

But, yes, this is a real film. People (including me) have seen enough promo footage to back it up.

EDIT: So people do not have to look, here are the questions I asked the director and the answers he gave in the second "Ask me Questions" segement.

Asked by “CCharmanderK”(That's my username on there):

Q1: Do you think that your movie will outperform the last big-name videogame fan-film, The Hero of Time. HoT had a very successful release, and it’s gonna be hard to top.

A1.) In terms of production value and visual effects, we may have the upper hand in that department but everything else is up to how we promote this and the fan response.

Megaman and Hero of Time are two different genres but two beloved franchises. Megaman appeals to the Sci-fi/Action demographic and Hero of Time appeals to the Fantasy/Adventure genre. I believe Megaman will enjoy equal success. As stated, it all depends on fan response but I feel this will be a hit with the video game fanbase.

Q2.) Also, what programs did you use for special effects? And what type of camera and tape format did you use (MiniDV, Btamax, etc.). I’m getting into independent filming myself, so I want to know for future reference.

A2.) The special effects were done with Adobe After Effects, 3d Studio Max, and Maya. As stated, we shot on the Panasonic DVX100A! That’s a MiniDV camera.

Q3.) And, also, how long do you believe the finished film product will run for. Judging from the trailers, I think that 90 minutes is a little bit of a squeeze.

A3.) 90 minutes is indeed kinda of a squeeze…since the final film may be 110 minutes!
It’s worth noting we have been hiding A LOT. Hell, the last 30 minutes of the film haven’t even been touched upon in any promo material. I’m still cutting some scenes out so we may go down to the 95-100 minute mark.

Q4.) Also, if you could give this movie an MPAA rating (G, PG-13, etc.), what would it be and what would the content descriptor be (for sequences of action violence and breif nudity, for example).

A4.) If all the scenes are kept in tact, PG-13 but based on the cuts I want to make, PG for sequences of action violence and language. The initial cut of the film had one scene that was pretty dark but I eliminated it because I think it crosses a line. I’m all for dark stuff but it just seems….off.

Q5. In a percentage split ratio, how much action and fighting is there going to be in contrast to talking and conversational scenes? This seems to be an action film, so I’m expecting a roughly 70/30 split.

A5.) Best way to explain is this: The first half of the film is a sci-fi adventure film while the second half is a sci-fi action film. The film is what it is when the story calls for it. Both halves are EQUALLY entertaining and enlightening since it all boils down to the characters and how lively and fleshed out they are.

Q6.) How are the fights going to be portrayed? Will there be heavy special effects and stunt-doubles (game-like fights), or is the fighting going to be more hand-to-hand, with Robot Mastet abilities used for tactical purposes? (like in the 90s cartoon)

A6.) In short, a combination! The fight scenes are a very interesting hybrid which allows things to always be interesting and fresh.

Q7.) Could you post a few excerpts from the film’s soundtrack for us to listen to so that we get a feel for what you’re going to be offering in the final product? I’d love to hear an orchestrated version of the Wily Castle theme from Mega Man II, if you wouldn’t mind.

A7.) Soon enough! Stay tuned!

Q8.). How much of the film is complete in terms of percentage? I’d imagine that you would’ve gotten a fair bit farther than the 70% estimate you gave us a month or two ago.

A8.) Indeed! We’re about to hit the 80% mark so at this rate, we are on a very nice schedule. The rate is about 10% a month!

Q9. What sort of special features do you plan to include on the DVD release? Maybe a blooper reel and deleted and extended scenes? Or maybe including the alternate ending you said that you filmed? That would be incredible to each, seeing how you portrayed the ending originally.

A9.) A making-of featurette and audio commentary will be included as well as deleted and extended scene. The alternate ending will probably work it’s way into the DVD as well!

Q10.) . Will Proto Man’s whistle theme be included in the film.Proto Man is obviously in the movie, and it simply won’t be the same without the whistle. And also, where will the whistle be placed? Will you use it as music that lays over the ending of the film and carries over into the credits as a BGM?

A10.) The whistle shall be. Where it will be placed is a surprise!

Q11.) Do you plan to release the full soundtrack for the film when it is complete? A lot of us would be thrilled to death for that sort of thing.

A11.) Yes!

[Swizzle]

This doesn't look too bad.

The best live action anime adaptation would have to be transformers though.

I also hope the Evangelion live action movie turns out good.

[Droote]

That blonde asian chick is so wearing a wig!
And I think it looks kinda stupid. I haven't seen the Hero of Time film, but I think if any film adaptions of games like these would hit the big screen, they should be professional produced and have a big budget. That is the only way they could be justified, if that is even possible.

[Konata Suzumiya]

That blonde asian chick is so wearing a wig!
And I think it looks kinda stupid. I haven't seen the Hero of Time film, but I think if any film adaptions of games like these would hit the big screen, they should be professional produced and have a big budget. That is the only way they could be justified, if that is even possible.


the problem with that is, a lot of the directors don't know what the fans want and completly ruin the film (dragonball evolution), from what I've seen this looks very good for their budget.

[Shiraishi-kun]

This doesn't look too bad.

The best live action anime adaptation would have to be transformers though.

I also hope the Evangelion live action movie turns out good.


Transformers wasn't an anime... and Mega Man is a video game.



That blonde asian chick is so wearing a wig!
And I think it looks kinda stupid. I haven't seen the Hero of Time film, but I think if any film adaptions of games like these would hit the big screen, they should be professional produced and have a big budget. That is the only way they could be justified, if that is even possible.


the problem with that is, a lot of the directors don't know what the fans want and completly ruin the film (dragonball evolution), from what I've seen this looks very good for their budget.


^ This. Reason why this movie looks good: it's being done by a fan who has lots of filming experience, and all who are in the film have siginificant acting experience.

Also, check out some of Eddie Lebron's previous works. He's got good people working for him, and his other works are good, too. (I'll post two of his short films momentarily)

EDIT: Here's two of Eddie'srpevious short films: Initial (done for a contest where the theme for the short was "a first goodbye") and Over the Years (done during post-production of Mega Man)

Initial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PzywuOdeNM

Over the Years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxfvtABL-IA

[Droote]

Tomb Raider worked out not too bad. Of course someone who REALLY knows what MegaMan/Zelda is all about must be put in charge of production. Like Nintendo being the producer of a Zelda film.
Imagine how LOTR would be if it was made by fans. Not very good. It needed a big production team with a big budget to be the amazing film series it turned out to be.

[Shiraishi-kun]

Tomb Raider worked out not too bad. Of course someone who REALLY knows what MegaMan/Zelda is all about must be put in charge of production. Like Nintendo being the producer of a Zelda film.
Imagine how LOTR would be if it was made by fans. Not very good. It needed a big production team with a big budget to be the amazing film series it turned out to be.


Have you forgotten the low budget that some of the best films out there such as The Terminator and Star Wars had to work with? Both had their budgets cut significantly during production (Star Wars) or began with a low budget (Terminator), and both turned out to be excellent.

[Droote]

Yeah, but they had a professional production team.

[Shiraishi-kun]

Yeah, but they had a professional production team.


You don't need a professional production team to make a good movie, you know. Just take a look at all of those independent films that air on IFC and at the Sundance film festival that have the creators working with little more than their own pocket money and their best friends and family members.

Besides, not everything can be the next big thing. They can be small-scale products and the creators can have next to no film making experience and they could end up making one of the best movies ever made, and because people are always looking for the next big hype, these films can go completely unnnoticed.

That's why Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life didn't do so well at first.

[Droote]

I have seen and own many great independent films, but often, a film adaption of a game which contains a lot of action, lasers, magic, supernatural objects etc would need a big budget to have good enough special effects to make it look as real as possible. It would be just sad if a live action MegaMan film would have just as good special effects as Episode 00 of TMoHS (Mikuru Legend).

[Shiraishi-kun]

I have seen and own many great independent films, but often, a film adaption of a game which contains a lot of action, lasers, magic, supernatural objects etc would need a big budget to have good enough special effects to make it look as real as possible. It would be just sad if a live action MegaMan film would have just as good special effects as Episode 00 of TMoHS (Mikuru Legend).


*facepalm, sigh* Is special effects what's making you act like this?

Put into factor exactly HOW GOOD the CGI looks in the trailer, then factor in that the WHOLE MOVIE costed $4000. That good enough? (Not trying to sound mean, but you just are NOT making much sense. Good effects does not a good film make. Just take a gander at Dragon Ball: Evolution, Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life and Super Mario Bros. movie. I only like that last one out of "So bad it's funny" interest)

[Droote]

No, I am just saying that Special effects plays a part in the whole thing. Ah... nevermind me saying anything. I hope for MegaMan fans the film will be good.

[Shiraishi-kun]

Yeah, I'm hoping this turns out well. If it doesn't, that'sone year I've wasted on it.

...Just like Dragonball: Evolution! XD

[Droote]

Hehe :P

[Shiraishi-kun]

THE WAIT IS OVER!! The release date for Mega Man HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!!

News Source: http://megaman.ningin.com/2010/02/04/finally/#top

The film will debut in Manhattan (that's in New York City, I believe) May 1st, 2010, with the internet debut (exclusively on Screwattack.com) on May 7th, 2010, a week after the premiere.

I'MSOPSYCHEDLIKEHHHHRRRRNNNNGGGGHHHH!!

[furball]

cool. but i can't hear anything

[Shiraishi-kun]

cool. but i can't hear anything

Aw, hell, WMG removed the audio again.

Watch the trailer here: http://ningin.com/mediastream/item:show/2008/11/21/megaman-movie-official-trailer/

[Droote]

Aw, hell, WMG removed the audio again.

Watch the trailer here: http://ningin.com/mediastream/item:show/2008/11/21/megaman-movie-official-trailer/

The CG for the other robots were surprisingly good. Looking at the robots, the film is going to base its story from Mega Man 1, and anything else would be weird. Starting a film with a sequel is unnatural (unless it is Silent Hill). Roll was a retard, and Dr. Wily didn't look like Dr. Wily.
I don't know if making a film of a game like Mega Man is a good idea. I mean, there's not too much story, and watching Mega Man do the levels before the bosses would be quite boring.

[Shiraishi-kun]

The CG for the other robots were surprisingly good. Looking at the robots, the film is going to base its story from Mega Man 1, and anything else would be weird. Starting a film with a sequel is unnatural (unless it is Silent Hill). Roll was a retard, and Dr. Wily didn't look like Dr. Wily.
I don't know if making a film of a game like Mega Man is a good idea. I mean, there's not too much story, and watching Mega Man do the levels before the bosses would be quite boring.

The director is mixing in elements from future games (Proto Man is here for ploline reasons), and the film will be giving deeper insight into the characters, and thus the plot.

And I hope that I'm not the only one on the site who noticed Roll getting kidnapped in the trailer. The director even made it official that she'll be kidnapped.

[furball]

The CG for the other robots were surprisingly good. Looking at the robots, the film is going to base its story from Mega Man 1, and anything else would be weird. Starting a film with a sequel is unnatural (unless it is Silent Hill). Roll was a retard, and Dr. Wily didn't look like Dr. Wily.
I don't know if making a film of a game like Mega Man is a good idea. I mean, there's not too much story, and watching Mega Man do the levels before the bosses would be quite boring.


Yeah vg movies are hard to make ._.

[Shiraishi-kun]

Yeah vg movies are hard to make ._.

They're only hard to make if you don't know what the hell you're doing. :P

That said, the director for Mega Man most certainly knows what he's doing, so...

[Droote]

We'll see what will come out of it. And film adaptations of video games don't have to be hard, it depends on the game.

[Tsukasa's_Lover]

THIS IS FFFFFAAAAAKKKKKEEEE!!!!

[Shiraishi-kun]

THIS IS FFFFFAAAAAKKKKKEEEE!!!!

Uhhh... no, it isn't.

Or did you miss the 'fan film' part? And, if it IS fake, then where'd that load of production, promotional, and behind-the-scenes stuff I've been fawning over for more than a year come from? :P And, also, why would Screwattack be HOSTING THE FILM when it isn't even real? And how about that rough-cut that was screened at Magfest in January that tons of people saw? HHHMMMMMMMMMM?????

And, yes, there was ONE fake Mega Man film trailer a few years back, but this is REAL, and most certainly NOT to be confused with that load of schlock.

[Tsukasa's_Lover]

Uhhh... no, it isn't.

Or did you miss the 'fan film' part? And, if it IS fake, then where'd that load of production, promotional, and behind-the-scenes stuff I've been fawning over for more than a year come from? :P And, also, why would Screwattack be HOSTING THE FILM when it isn't even real? And how about that rough-cut that was screened at Magfest in January that tons of people saw? HHHMMMMMMMMMM?????

And, yes, there was ONE fake Mega Man film trailer a few years back, but this is REAL, and most certainly NOT to be confused with that load of schlock.

did you even watch the video. that was some terrible effects. even for Japan fan films that was bad.

[Shiraishi-kun]

did you even watch the video. that was some terrible effects. even for Japan fan films that was bad.

What part of "fan film" and "low-budget" are you having trouble with?

This was done with only $4000. Compare that to the hundred-million-plus budgets for Transformers and Avatar.

I apologize, but your illogic is baffling... besides, I've seen other fan films that have looked worse (The Hero of Time, anyone?)

[Shiraishi-kun]

UPDATE

A new trailer for the film has been released online (linked to here: http://megaman.ningin.com/ ) featuring the following:

1. Snippets from the Original Soundtrack (including an orchestral remix of the Mega Man 2 Dr. Wily's Castle Stage 1 BGM)
2. New footage highlighting more of the plot and fight sequences, including a brief voice sample from CGI Gutsman.
3. The Online-Streaming Release Date: May 7, 2010.

You'd have to be an idiot (that, or just extremely ignorant) if you didn't think that trailer was vacuum-packed with win.

[Shiraishi-kun]

FINAL UPDATE

Mega Man: The Fan Film is now available online at http://screwattack.com/

One More Update

It has a TVTropes page.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/MegaMan