Mindfire Entertainment Interview - News and Siteseeing

Hollywood film producer Mindfire Entertainment has had a number of video game themed projects they have worked on, including two movies based on Sega's House of the Dead games and upcoming films based on Dead or Alive and Fear Effect in the works. Recently Mindfire announced a deal with movie special effects legend Ray Harryhausen to develop both new movies and new video games based on Harryhausen's idea. FiringSquad got a chance to chat with Mindfire co-founder Mark A. Altman about Ray Harryhausen Present, the possiblility of a House of the Dead 3 movie and other related topics

FiringSquad: First how did you and Mindfire get the idea to approach Ray Harryhausen to create a new development company around his ideas?
Mark A. Altman: Given Mindfire's expertise in the sci-fi/fantasy world, we were approached by representatives of Mr. Harryhausen who were interested in us getting involved with these projects and we, obviously, jumped at the chance to do so.
FiringSquad: What's it's like to work with a true legend in special effects on this kind of a project?
Mark A. Altman: It's awe inspiring. There's a tremendous sense of responsiblity when you're following in the footsteps of a legend who has inspired the careers of so many people in the business and been responsible for some of the greatest fantasy films of all time.
FiringSquad: Can you describe what Ray Harryhausen Presents is supposed to be about?
Mark A. Altman: The idea is to honor the legacy of Ray's work by bringing to the screen some of his unproduced works as well as the type of storytelling he popularized in his career.
FiringSquad: How much input will Mr. Harryhausen have on the various projects he will work on?
Mark A. Altman: Thankfully, he'll have a lot of input and will oversee and approve all the visual effects.
FiringSquad: The announcement mentioned video games as one of the many ways the new company will relese new projects. How important is having good games that also stay true to the Harryhausen spirit?
Mark A. Altman: I think it's imperative. The films are first and foremost so the video games will only happen if we can partner with the right people who have a vision for how to adapt Ray's work to that medium. That said, there are some incredibly exciting opportunities to adapt these stories for video games. I mean who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to fight some of the creatures Ray created for the movies or save the girls in many of his films.
FiringSquad: Can you give us an idea on what kinds of games we can expect from this new venture? Will they be action games or RPGs or adventure titles?
Mark A. Altman: I suppose it will depend on what stories are being adapted. Some will be more straight-ahead action like those in the lost world or alien invasion genres, but I think in the case of Jason or Sinbad there's an opportunity to do a more puzzle based RPG adventure.
FiringSquad: Have any game developers contacted you yet to develop the concepts for the Harryhausen games?
Mark A. Altman: Surprisingly quote a few. I think people immediately get the potential when they think about the name Ray Harryhausen. It's not gangsters and 'hos if you know what I mean.
FiringSquad: When can we expect the first Harryhausen game titles to be released?
Mark A. Altman: That remains to be seen. The first movie should be out mid-2007.
FiringSquad: Mindfire recently released House of the Dead 2. Overall were you pleased with the reactions that the movie received and are there any plans for a House of the Dead 3?
Mark A. Altman: I'm pretty pleased overall. I think it's a fun film that feels like a 50s sci-fi action film updated to the 21st century. Sony is releasing the film theatrically overseas this year which is nice and I think the film's gotten a pretty good reaction and some nice reviews for the most part. Obviously, it cost a lot less than the first movie but is percevied as being a much, much better film which is gratifying for both (director) Mike Hurst and myself. We have House of the Dead 3 in development now and hope to begin filming later this year if everything comes together. It's a completely different approach to the material than the first two films and I doubt it will even be called House of the Dead 3.
FiringSquad: What can you tell us about you and your company's involvement in the Dead or Alive movie and how do you feel it is coming along?
Mark A. Altman: DOA comes out from Dimension in theaters on August 25th and I'm thrilled with the way it came out and working with our friends at Constantin and Impact Films was really a great, collaborative experience. I think Corey Yuen did a remarkable job directing and it's just a lot of fun and it's the perfect way to end the summer. There's nothing pretentious or heavy-handed about it, just a lot of ass-kicking and sexy girls and I think fans of the game will be happy about how faithful it is to the series and how much fun the fight scenes are.
FiringSquad: What othe projects does Mindfire have in the works?
Mark A. Altman: Well, we have Fear Effect going into production at the end of the year with Stanley Tong directing which is going to be fantastic as well as two smaller films we just wrapped, The Thirst, with Adam Baldwin and Jeremy Sisto, which is in the vein of "Near Dark," no pun intended, and "Dead & Deader," which is 48 Hours with zombies with Dean Cain and Guy Torry and Dean Haglund and Peter Greene and Natasha Malthe from DOA is also in it.
FiringSquad: Finally is there anything else you wish to say about Mindfire and Ray Harryhausen Presents?
Mark A. Altman: Just watch this space, more info to come...it's going to be great.

» Note: You need to be logged in to write a comment!