 | Check out Patrick Meaney's documentary on legendary comic scribe Warren Ellis: 'Captured Ghosts' |
A larger than life icon of modern comic books, Warren Ellis. Already established in comics, it wasn't until his Vertigo series Transmetropolitan gained a cult following that Ellis became the focus of the public eye. One of his boldest and most profitable ideas was to relate to his readers through the internet in ways that have yet to be topped. This relationship created a deep bond between the author and reader, making the experience personal and unique (akin to his one time column for CBR.com 'Come in Alone'). I even emailed him once for suggestions on a handheld writing device that I planned on purchasing. He comes across in his writing as a curmudgeon and a cranky old man, but the story I have heard is that he is a fun-loving guy who just adores comics, smoking, music and cigarettes... but not necessarily in that order.
Interviewed in a marathon eight hours with several cans of Red Bull, bottles of whiskey and a forest of discarded cigarette butts surrounding him, Ellis provided some deep insight into his writing process and his relationship with his readers. The documentary was previewed at the San Diego Comic Con (coverage here) where fans clamored for more.
I met filmmaker Patrick Meaney online and shared a table with him at MoCCA in NY when I premiered my own project Zebramag. Patrick went on to direct a stunning documentary on Grant Morrison that attracted the attention of comicdom and beyond including Wired Magazine. Currently it is one of the most popular documentaries on Hulu (but please buy a copy).
Patrick's Warren Ellis documentary looks to be the closest you can get to the writer without actually sharing his cigarette fumes.
Trailer
watch?v=CLEg6gxzxRk
Warren Ellis sees the future. He is a comic book writer and cyberpunk philosopher living on the edge of tomorrow. He speaks to a cult audience of artists, journalists, scientists and fans who hail him as INTERNET JESUS.
The film features the most extensive interview Ellis has ever given, and spans his life, from his first memory watching the moon landing as a child, to his recent cross-media success with the film adaptation of Red. Along the way, Ellis's acerbic wit and core belief in humanity comes across like never before.
Complimenting Ellis's own words are interviews with his artistic collaborators, friends and admirers from across all media, including actress Helen Mirren, comedian Patton Oswalt, Adult Film Star Stoya, Musician Claudio Sanchez (of Coheed and Cambria), comics writers Matt Fraction and Antony Johnston, and futurist Jamais Cascio. Ellis's comics collaborators like Marvel Comics CCO Joe Quesada, artists Darick Robertson, Ben Templesmith and Phil Jimenez also provide insight into Ellis's mind and creative workings. The film features numerous ambient interludes that spotlight Ellis's prose and writing from both his online columns and his comics.
The film was shot over the course of 2010 and 2011 in England, San Diego and New York, and is nearing the end of photography now. It will be completed by the summer, released theatrically in the Fall with a late 2011 DVD release to follow.
The film was directed by Patrick Meaney, shot by Jordan Rennert, and produced by Respect Films and Sequart, as a followup to the critically acclaimed Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods
Transmetropolitan clip
watch?v=vG2ZagzG1F4
More info here: http://www.warrenellismovie.com/
Bonus:
Here's a preview of Patrick's forthcoming X-Men documentary...
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