posted February 06, 2006 11:06 AM               

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nWave Pictures, one of the world’s largest suppliers of stereoscopic entertainment, has begun production on Fly Me To The Moon, the first computer-animated feature film to be conceived, designed and created in 3D. Directed by nWave founder Ben Stassen and produced by company president Charlotte Huggins, Fly Me To The Moon centers on three tween-aged flies who buck the conventional wisdom that "dreamers get swatted..." and stow aboard the Apollo 11 flight to the moon. The film is a funny, heart-warming journey that includes a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride alongside astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. The script was written by Domonic Paris, who will co-executive produce the film with Stassen through his company Illuminata Pictures.

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"It's a very cute story about three houseflies who stow away on board Apollo 11, then get into the helmets of Neil and myself on the lunar surface," Aldrin said. "I'm really impressed with the animation I've seen so far.

"At the end I come in — in live-action — to say there were no flies on board. Of course, while I'm doing this, I'm swatting at flies buzzing around my head."

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posted July 24, 2006 11:48 AM               

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Kelly Ripa (ABC's "Live with Regis and Kelly") joins an all-star cast for "Fly Me To The Moon," the first-ever feature-length computer generated animated film, conceived and created entirely in 3-D. The film is produced by Illuminata Pictures and nWave Pictures, the production entity responsible for nearly one quarter of all 3-D IMAX films. "Moon" is directed by nWave co-founder Ben Stassen who has created, directed and produced world-famous ride and attraction films, including "Wild Safari" (nWave Pictures Distribution), "Haunted Castle" (nWave) and "Alien Adventure" (nWave). The announcement was made today by Illuminata Pictures co-founder and "Moon" writer / executive producer Domonic Paris.

Stassen comments, "Recent advances in computer technology make it possible to convert 2-D films to 3-D. However, with 'Fly Me To The Moon,' we are taking it a step further by producing every frame in 3-D for the maximum 3-D effect."

Paris says, "With more 3-D films entering the market, such as 'Monster House' and 'Meet the Robinsons,' more theaters are adopting 3-D capabilities. By the time we release 'Fly Me To The Moon' in 2007, we anticipate that there will be approximately 700 specialized digital theaters, while in 2005, there were only 300 3-D theaters available."

Set in 1969, when the NASA space program was in full swing, "Fly Me To The Moon" combines the Apollo 11 mission with the adventures of three young stowaway flies.

Also starring are Buzz Aldrin (former Apollo 11 astronaut), Adrienne Barbeau (HBO's "Carnivale," "The Drew Carey Show"), Ed Begley Jr. ("Six Feet Under"), Tim Curry ("Jumanji," "Scary Movie 2"),Trevor Gagnon ("Big Fish," CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine"), Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future," "Taxi"), Robert Patrick ("Walk the Line," "Spy Kids") and Nicollette Sheridan ("Desperate Housewives").

Stassen adds, "As the first true 3-D release, 'Fly Me To The Moon' has the incredible benefit that it cannot be pirated, and it also has a larger and longer shelf-life."

The film is an nWave Pictures production in collaboration with Illuminata Pictures, and it is slated to open in an estimated 700 specialized 3-D theaters worldwide in Spring 2007.

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posted February 28, 2008 01:09 AM               

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Six Flags, Inc. announced today a partnership with nWave Pictures that will bring the excitement of Apollo 11 and the first walk on the moon to millions of park guests this season.

Fly Me To The Moon - 3D, a ride simulation based on the animated feature film releasing this summer, features the voices of Kelly Ripa, Christopher Lloyd and Nicolette Sheridan and will be the featured attraction at 3D theaters at Six Flags Great Adventure, in Jackson, NJ and Six Flags Over Texas, in Arlington, TX.

The fact based fictional film follows three teenaged flies on an incredible adventure as they become part of history - stowing away inside the space helmets of Commanders Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins on the Apollo 11 mission that marked America's first manned landing on the moon.

Fly Me To The Moon is the first-ever computer animated feature film designed, created and produced from the first frame, exclusively for the 3D experience. "This innovative film is a great example of the kind of unique, first-run entertainment that our guests have come to expect at the new Six Flags," said Dan Weinberg, Six Flags Vice-President of Entertainment. "The collaboration with nWave allows us to continue the expansion and diversification of our in-park product."

NWave Founder and Director Ben Stassen:

"We applaud Six Flags for thinking outside the box and really seizing the opportunity to expose park visitors to this film. As a company that specializes in 3D production and distribution, we're excited about the new alliance with Six Flags. Their family of parks offer nWave the perfect platform to showcase the recreation of the Apollo 11 flight through the ride film experience that will entertain both adults and children."

Fly Me To The Moon - 3D debuts Opening Day at each park - March 1 at Six Flags Over Texas and April 5 at Six Flags Great Adventure.

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posted February 28, 2008 01:10 PM               

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Originally posted by Dave Clow:
Just curious...what's the value on the collectables market for a flown dead mosquito?

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Not sure about this, Dave, but the last time I was at Space Camp, Arabella, the spider used in an experiment on Skylab 3, was on display. What's the value of an intentionally flown insect?

posted February 28, 2008 01:30 PM               

I'll admit, it's a curse to notice stuff like that.

posted March 01, 2008 12:40 PM               

I'm sure all of the usual promo materials will be available shortly. Count me in for the Buzz Aldrin limited edition autographed 'Fly Me to the Moon' trading card set (No 001 of course) please.

I'm sure we can continue a trivia thread based on what the animators get wrong courtesy the previous post to this one. Who's for the worst fly joke - see last post, I'll bet the scriptwriters have them all already and a thread on the first piece of film related merchandise that is available. (You'll have to be excluded Robert, you probably already have it).

It will be hit I'm sure, I'm looking forward to it... now which of my nephews can I bribe to take me to the cinema to see it!!

posted March 01, 2008 09:07 PM            

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Originally posted by Cliff:
Not sure about this, Dave, but the last time I was at Space Camp, Arabella, the spider used in an experiment on Skylab 3, was on display.

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