Interviews and Reviews

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Frankenstein’s Monster Review by Steampunk Library

Published February 17, 2015 by judithbshields

Review of Frankenstein’s Monster posted by Steampunk Library– a website dedicated to strengthen literacy through incorporating steampunk in school library collections.

Steampunk Library

Creator: Mary Shelley (novel) Written/Produced by Judith B. Shields, Directed by Syd Lance

Media Type: Feature Film, 84 minutes

Audience: Family Friendly (but use your best judgment with extra-small children)

Summary: This micro-budget, independent film adaptation from First Step Cinematics, Frankenstein’s Monster tells the story of The Monster, his creator, and the lives ruined in the name of mad science. Following the original frame narrative the film opens with Dr. Victor Frankenstein being saved at sea. He befriends the vessel’s captain and spins his tale of the creation of the murderous Adam, his science project made from the pieces of the dead and subtle steam-powered mechanics. Unlike the novel the story is told through third-person perspective across a single time-line and allows for insight and conversation with non-primary characters. These characters desperately try to help Victor maintain his sanity, but how can a man keep his wits with a monster on the loose and…

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Frankenstein’s Monster – A Review

Published February 7, 2015 by judithbshields

“This adaption followed the original fairly accurately. There were few tweaks and a great version of how they took the monster’s need for a wife, but all in all, it was Frankenstein. It held my attention with good acting, but like all adaptions, I love seeing how they used the source material and made it their own. I felt this one stuck to it too closely without adding too much to it.”

But we won’t spoil his review here. To read the whole thing, go to:

 

http://www.joshpunk.com/frankensteins-monster-a-review/

via Frankenstein’s Monster – A Review.

Meeting of the Minds

Published March 17, 2014 by judithbshields

It was my honor to speak at Gulf Coast Mensa for their “Meeting of the Minds”, an occasional event which focuses on case studies from individuals in the community.

From the InforMensa issue March 2014:

“Event: Meeting of the Minds

Description: The very talented Judith Shields, creator of the last years’ locally produced, full length movie: “Frankenstein’s Monster – A Light Steampunk Adaptation of Mary Shelly’s Franken-stein”, will tell us why and how she brought it to be and give us some insight into the creative pro-cesses, the organizational challenges, the diffi-culties and joys of moviemaking. This work will be released summer 2014 – read about it at http:// steampunkfrankenstein.com/ or http://www.facebook. com/steampunkfrankenstein.”

Land of Nerds, Filmmaking Panel Recap from Space City Con

Published January 13, 2014 by judithbshields

One of my favorite things about the convention circuit is participating in panels. I enjoy speaking about filmmaking, steampunk, literature, and screenwriting. SpaceCityCon’s panel is up there on my list. It was my pleasure to join Matt Risoldi (monster), Christopher Lowe (tech. dir, props), J’Nean Henderson (costumes), and Peter Kovic (co-editor, documentarist) to talk about the challenges of microbudget filmmaking. One of the things I love about our larger panels is that we share our tools and tricks we used for making a film.

-Judith

 

Quote from article:

“For the filming, some of the most important aspects to the filmmakers were to ensure that the film maintained an authentic, Victorian period-style. To maintain that look, the filmmakers needed to ensure that the costumes were beautiful and accurate. Costumes can be an expensive, especially period costumes. Luckily, the producer, Judith Shields, found J’Nean Henderson, Victorian Lady.”

To read the rest of the article, please go to their great page:

http://landofnerds.com/2014/01/10/frankensteins-monster-space-city-con/

Land of Nerds Film Review

Published December 29, 2013 by judithbshields

Land of the Nerds

Moon Sedai wrote a wonderful review of Frankenstein’s Monster. In praise of the film she wrote:

“The focus of this film is, at the heart, the story, not the blood, gore, and tech. The film is beautifully done despite the low budget.”

Strong words of praise were also given to Matt Risoldi (Monster) and  the cinematography(Slava Vlad). But we won’t spoil that here.

If you’d like to read the whole article, please check it out HERE. Also be sure to look at the rest of their great website which covers everything science fiction and fun!

http://landofnerds.com/2013/12/28/steampunkfrankensteinsmonster/

Frankenstein’s Monster at Weird West Fest

Published December 16, 2013 by judithbshields

Frankenstein’s Monster at Weird West Fest.

I want to give a big thank you to those who braved the cold and got your gears to Giddings! Weird West Fest welcomed Frankenstein’s Monster and we were proud to be there. Mike McDermott (Captain), Travis Wayne Hamilton (Krempe) and Judith B. Shields (me–the screenwriter/filmmaker) were able to meet many folks there. A big shout out for Mike and Travis for making it from Houston. Preacher’s Powderworks and Projectiles who made our amazing steampunk lab goggles is one of the co-founders for the event. 

About Weird West Fest–it is a Western and Steampunk 1 day festival. This was their first year and they made a difficult decision–to postpone the festival by a week. The original date had that icy conditions and made it unsafe to drive in the Texas Hill Country. While the new date was still chilly, at least it was safe for folks to travel.

I also had a wonderful paneling experience. I’ve been on many panels, from ApolloCon (Screenwriting) to Comicpalooza (Microbudget Filmmaking) to WorldCon (Steampunk), but I never had had a panel where we laughed so much. I was honored to both moderate and participate in the Art of Screenwriting panel with (from left to right) @Gary Clark (actor and screenwriter), and Ed Erdelac (screenwriter and author). That panel covered comparisons of book to screenplay writing tips, character vs. action based plots, personal stories with screenwriting, and how to get your work out there. The audience asked good questions as well.

Thank you everyone who made it out to Giddings!

Indie Buzz: Frankenstein’s Monster (2013) review

Published November 21, 2013 by judithbshields

Thank you Indie Buzz (UK) for your great review! 

crowdfunding image2

 

Quotes from article:

“This is one of the most faithful adaptations of Shelley’s narrative that I have ever seen…”

For the full article:

Indie Buzz: Frankenstein’s Monster (2013) review.

Judith B. Shields’ Interview with Indie-Loop

Published November 21, 2013 by judithbshields

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Judith B. Shields’ Interview with Indie-Loop

A closer look at microbudget filmmaking.

“IL: You are one of the special guest panelists at this year’s Comicpalooza (2013) discussing how to make an independent film on a budget. Great topic since many indie-artists/film makers struggle with the financial aspect in launching their projects. What advice can you give indie-artists dealing with this dilemma?”

To read Shields’ answer, please read the rest of this great interview at

http://www.indie-loop.com/q5-judithb-shields/

Mark R. Leeper reviews Frankenstein’s Monster (2013)

Published November 21, 2013 by judithbshields

“The filmmakers have attempted an adaptation of Frankenstein accurate to the novel, a feat rarely ever attempted. “

To read the rest of this review please click the link below:

http://sfcrowsnest.org.uk/frankensteins-monster-2013-a-film-review-by-mark-r-leeper/

Frankenstein’s Monster – An Indie Steampunk Film–A fantastic interview of Judith B. Shields by Author and Blogger Maeve Alpin as They Ride on an Airship Discussing the Project and Steampunk

Published November 21, 2013 by judithbshields

“Our Steampunk is expressed through the art—for starters we used a lot of STEAM! The monster is Steam-powered. He smokes! It is simple. Steampunk is expressed in the camera angle choices. The finished look of the film has a darkened edge and is slightly desaturated—to remind the audience of an old photograph.  Word choices in the script, Edwardian costumes, unique props built by those in our Texas Steampunk community. This is our Steampunk.”

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To read more of this great interview, please go here:

Frankenstein\’s Monster – An Indie Steampunk Film.

via Frankenstein\’s Monster – An Indie Steampunk Film.