Slice of SciFi #127: Interview With Mark Lund (“First World”)

In The News:

• It’s been a tough couple of weeks for William Shatner. We tell you why?
• Actor/producer/comedian Jay Mohr becomes a full-time Ghoster.
• Children’s entertainment guru Jordan Kerner joins Walden Media with a real sweet deal.

Movie Talk: We are in Movie DVD heaven this week as we take a look at Movie DVD’s one must have and avoid. We’re talking Roger Corman Collection, Tarantino/Russell’s “Death Proof,” Wolfgang Petersen’s extended director’s cut of “Troy” with Brad Pitt, “The Jack Ryan Collection” and yes, we talk about it, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s film disaster called “The Condemned.”

TV Talk: More DVD news, but this time for television.

• A must have copy of the full, un-cut, uncensored version of “Blade: The Series” is now available. Called “Blade: The House of Chthon,” this episode that started the now defunct series was cut to pieces when it debuted on SPIKE. Had it been kept in tact, critics believe “Blade: The Series” would still be on the air today with new episodes.
• “Smallville: Season Six is now ready and available for its fans. Only one more season to go for this controversial series on the life of young Clark/Superboy.
• “Quark” is a 1977, short-lived series that starred big screen actor Richard Benjamin. It didn’t last long but was very fun and campy. All 8 episodes are back and the series is seeing a nostalgic resurgence.

Interview: This week we talk to Mark Lund, young filmmaker with a dream to take his scifi film, “First World”, from a short to a major motion picture.

An avid fan of science fiction and enthusiastic supporter of the exploration of space, in 2006 Lund wrote a feature-length screenplay in the sci-fi/drama genre titled “First World.” The premise behind “First World” commences in the 1960’s when NASA discovers a vast and advanced civilization in the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon. Up until that time, this civilization had been shielded from all Earth-based detection devices and was not visible to the naked eye or through Earth-based telescopes. During the Apollo missions, false images were transmitted and a worldwide cover-up began. “First World” begins in the year 2018 when the Chinese government announces it is sending its first manned mission to the Moon. What does this civilization represent and why was it covered up?

To bring “First World” to life, along with his efforts to secure funding for the long version, Lund condensed his screenplay and produced a 2 minute trailer and 25 minute short film, both of which may be viewed at www.myspace.com/firstworldmovie. The short is presently being screened at numerous science fiction conventions in the United States.

After he shares that dream you too will realize that this is a film that should be getting plenty of attention from the fat money-cats in the entertainment industry. We had a lot of fun talking with Mark as he shares the highs, lows and politics of trying to get a film made within the tightly-closed Hollywood system.

Future Talk: The future is all about the beautiful and luscious Jessica Alba. She will be starring in several new film vehicles in the coming months including the horror flick “The Eye.” She will also be starring with Mike Myers in “The Love Guru,” and the chilling thriller with Hayden Christensen titled “Awake.”

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER:

This coming week most of the new sci-fi and genre-related shows will be making their television debuts and many of last year’s favorite programs will also be returning, so be sure to check your local listings and watch as many of them as you can to let the networks know that well-made sci-fi is a viable, bankable and profitable commodity.

See you next week with a very special TRIPLE-HEADER Slice of SciFi. We will all be away at the PME conference but we have put together an exciting all interview show for you with Tanya Huff and Peter Mohan of “Blood Ties” and “The Dresden Files” very own Jim Butcher.

SAVE DRESDEN – Send in those drumsticks (not the chicken kind) to SCI FI Channel and save Harry from cancellation hell!

Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know.

Promo: Technorama
Promo: Zombie Channel