A place for those who "Trust the Fungus"

I've been something of an indie-filmmaker for awhile, but I'm about to write and direct a feature-length, shot on video movie called The Legend of Annabel Jankel, which might have some themes you'll find familiar.
It will be shot on a budget of somewhere between 500 and 1500 dollars, and right now, I'm writing the script, here's the basic premise:

A cynical moviegoer named Randy is the administrator to a website devoted to the 1993 film adaptation of Super Mario Bros, he is floored one day to receive an email from someone claiming to be Annabel Jankel, the head director of the movie, who informs him that after she and her husband Rocky Morton were booted off the set of the movie, the producers and actors had to finish the film themselves, and when they presented it to Buena Vista, it was two and a half hours in length, and would be rated PG-13, something that was forbidden by Disney at the time. The movie was cut down by almost an hour and that's the version we know today. After the failure of the movie at the box office, the master copies of the original version of the movie were put in lock-boxes and buried in various places around the country. One of those locations is 100 miles from Randy's house, and he has a lapse of sanity when he finds out that if he can find the lost tape, he'll be the first person in almost 20 years to see the true version of the movie! Randy rounds up three friends and they set out on an expedition across Pennsylvania to find and unearth the lost 'producer's cut' of Super Mario Bros. Along the way, they stop at various places and have a series of humorous adventures. Fiction based on fact based on speculation and rumors, The Legend of Annabel Jankel takes an obscurely hilarious look at one of the most notorious films of the 90s. Production on The Legend of Annabel Jankel begins sometime in 2011 with a 2012-2013 release either in limited theaters or on home video.

This is a genuinely great idea for an SMB-related film. The story has airs of an edgy '90s coming-of-age story, and with an indy sensibility I can definitely see it attracting a wide audience despite (or even because of) the subject-matter. There's a slight similarity to the film Fanboys, though the problem with that movie is it tackled a film everyone knows about and by now no one cares about. That type of fanbase is simply overblown. Super Mario Bros. is just mysterious and cult enough to have a much more interesting plot.

I'm both surprised and excited that you've managed to secure such a high budget. If you can allocate those funds in the right departments and actually film something we can see working, I'd gladly put down a donation here and there when I can afford it. I can definitely see this project being the precursor to several other related projects, so it's an investment if anything.

Don't tell me you're actually going to do this under the premise of making an independent film!

I can see where it might be a good idea. Sort of a real-life National Treasure, no?

It sounds very Hunter S. Thompson-esque. I'll have to see this one.

Prime Evil wrote:Don't tell me you're actually going to do this under the premise of making an independent film!

Yes, I am. I've worked on several short films before, I figured it's time to do a full-length feature.

Prime Evil wrote:It sounds very Hunter S. Thompson-esque. I'll have to see this one.

The main character is a bit like Raoul Duke, in that he's cynical and strung out, so yes, there's a bit of Hunter Thompson in there.

Redstar wrote:There's a slight similarity to the film Fanboys, though the problem with that movie is it tackled a film everyone knows about and by now no one cares about. That type of fanbase is simply overblown. Super Mario Bros. is just mysterious and cult enough to have a much more interesting plot.

I got the Fanboys from this as well. And yeah, not that this is a bad thing--this could be a great twist on that kind of story.

Now...if we could actually get that director's cut to feature in the film...

I liked your story. It must be a oportunity for celebrate the 20 anniversary of the movie

Wow, I completely forgot about this. Looking back on it, it's not a bad idea. I could probably shoot it and have Troma distribute it, if I wanted. Lloyd Kaufman owes me a favor after making that godawful "Tromeo & Juliet," anyway.

GoChaunceyGo wrote:Wow, I completely forgot about this. Looking back on it, it's not a bad idea. I could probably shoot it and have Troma distribute it, if I wanted. Lloyd Kaufman owes me a favor after making that godawful "Tromeo & Juliet," anyway.

DO IT!!!

The movie's title sounds like it has the makings of a song. Only problem is coming up with things that rhyme with "Jankel". Let's see...there's "rankles," as in "it rankles on my nerves," there's "Wankel", as in a Wankel rotary engine...I suppose you could say "bankable" at a stretch, but I'm not sure.

Prime Evil wrote:The movie's title sounds like it has the makings of a song. Only problem is coming up with things that rhyme with "Jankel". Let's see...there's "rankles," as in "it rankles on my nerves," there's "Wankel", as in a Wankel rotary engine...I suppose you could say "bankable" at a stretch, but I'm not sure.

Yeah, my brother (also a longtime fan of the Super Mario Bros. movie) is a songwriter, he could probably figure it out. Sadly, I've been commissioned by my publisher to write a book and I have very little time to dedicate to fan-stuff at the moment.

How could you say Tromeo and Juliet is god awful? The movie is a masterpiece! You should owe Lloyd Kaufman an apology.

After reading this, I am reminded heavily of a book called the Shooting Script.

I should make this movie a cartoon-- And I know just the person to consult. Maybe this project isn't as far-fetched as I'm making it out to be...

Serum wrote:I should make this movie a cartoon-- And I know just the person to consult. Maybe this project isn't as far-fetched as I'm making it out to be...

I volunteer for logo design and voice acting roles.

superwesleybros wrote:

Serum wrote:I should make this movie a cartoon-- And I know just the person to consult. Maybe this project isn't as far-fetched as I'm making it out to be...

I volunteer for logo design and voice acting roles.

It's not a traditional cartoon, not like done the way a lot of cartoons are done on places like "Newgrounds," think more of "Dorkly's" cartoon style... But on a grander scale. I'll have to actually write it, first.

I'll still make a logo, The graphic designer that is me want's to do new things.

*Logo Made*