CAPTAIN POWER REBOOT: PHOENIX RISING- First details revealed via Ain't it Cool News...

Ain't it Cool News reveals first details of the long awaited reboot of sci-fi cult classic CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE:

"Goddard Film Group's producing team of Gary Goddard, Roger Lay Jr and Eric Carnagey are working with former Paramount Television Senior Executive Jeffrey Hayes,  who was responsible for such television hits as STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION, FAMILY TIES, and CHEERS, to bring back Goddard's Sci-fi Cult classic CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE in the form of a weekly one-hour drama series titled PHOENIX RISING.

They have enlisted writers/producers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens to develop this next evolution of the series. Recent television credits for the Reeves-Stevens include creating the new science-fiction drama series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD, the North American spin-off of the UK hit PRIMEVAL. They also served as writers/producers on STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE for Paramount and RACE TO MARS for Discovery."

STAR TREK: TNG turns 25 - Exclusive sneak peek at STARDATE REVISITED...

Startrek.com celebrates TNG's 25th anniversary with an exclusive preview of STARDATE REVISITED: The Origins of Star Trek The Next Generation. This all-new feature length documentary was directed by Roger Lay, Jr and features never before seen screen tests, rare behind the scenes footage and images from the early days of the show, as well as new interviews with the entire cast of the show and creative personnel including Executive Producer Rick Berman, Make Up FX maestro Michael Westmore, Producer David Livingston and even the actor who was originally up for the role of Captain Picard. The film was exclusively produced for the Season One release of Star Trek The Next Generation Remastered. The site also has and exclusive Q&A with Roger Lay, Jr in which he discusses his ongoing work on the TNG Blu-Ray production team. TIME Magazine also celebrates the occasion with a look at TNG's impact in pop culture.

WOLF LAKE: The Complete Series coming to DVD from Eone Entertainment...

From creator John Leekley (SPAWN, KINDRED: THE EMBRACED), the cult hit series that kickstarted the young adult fantasy genre on television finally comes to DVD with all-new special features produced by Urban Archipelago Films.

WOLF LAKE: The Complete Series arrives in stores on November 6, packed with never before seen content including the unaired pilot episode of the series with commentary tracks from creator John Leekley and director Rupert Wainwright (STIGMATA, THE FOG).

Also included in this release is an all-new behind the scenes documentary directed by Roger Lay Jr which sheds new light on the show's origins, the making of the unaired pilot and un-produced episode ideas. The documentary also features new interviews with series creator / executive producer John Leekley and actor Paul Wesley (VAMPIRE DIARIES, 24). The complete series collection is now available for pre-order.

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future: Original Series Soundtrack Available September 25th...

For the first time ever the original orchestral score to the sci-fi cult classic is available on limited edition CD exclusively through Goddard Film Group. Produced by Gary Goddard, Roger Lay Jr., and Eric Carnagey this special release includes an exclusive 16 page booklet with extensive liner notes featuring all-new interview material with composer Gary Guttman, creator Gary Goddard and recording sessions producer Ted King. The booklet also includes never before seen concept art from the series. Pre-orders page is now up at Screen Archives and the official Captain Power site.

FANTASIA FEST 2012: FILM THREAT raves about TOY MASTERS...

The new documentary from Urban Archipelago Films had it's World Premiere on August 11 as part of the 2012 edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival. TOY MASTERS played to a packed house in Montreal where the screening was followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Roger Lay Jr, Corey Landis, and Robert Meyer Burnett which was moderated by Fangoria's Editor Emeritus Tony Timpone.

The first review for the film is now up at FILM THREAT:

"The caliber of the interviewees, from people at all levels of Mattel, to J. Michael Straczyski to Filmation co-founder Lou Scheimer, is matched only by the astounding frankness of many of those interviewed. There isn’t an angle to the story that isn’t covered...
The filmmakers’ passion for the subject is evident throughout, making their decision to unobjectively include themselves in the narrative a strength rather than a weakness. While on the surface tackling a niche subject, Toy Masters goes a long way to show how something spawned, and later killed by, corporate greed can affect the lives of the many for years to come."

Read more at FILM THREAT.

Watch filmmakers' interview direct from the film's premiere below:

Critics love Star Trek: The Next Generation Season One on blu-ray...

Urban Archipelago Films has produced a series of all-new documentaries along with hours of exclusive special features for CBS Home Entertainment’s highly anticipated release of TNG in High Definition. The complete first season is now available on Blu-ray featuring Stardate Revisited: The Origin of Star Trek The Next Generation and Energized: Taking the Next Generation to the Next level. Both documentaries are directed by Roger Lay, Jr and feature new interviews with the cast and key creative personnel of the iconic television drama.

"The work these folks have put into bringing TNG to life in HD is just remarkable. The crew behind this set are not phoning their efforts in, and their work, love and dedication to this series is simply wonderful, not to mention invaluable and inspiring. To be frank, if you're a fan of Trek, you'd be doing yourself a great disservice if you skipped this."
- RL Shaffer, IGN

"CBS have clearly gone out of their way to create the “definitive” edition of TNG here. The STARDATE REVISITED series of documentaries covering the creation of the show are unparalleled in their detail – almost no stone is left unturned. I cannot recommend the set highly enough. I can guarantee: you won’t be disappointed!"
-  Adam Walker, Trek Core

"Also shepherded by Roger lay Jr. and Robert Meyer Burnett, STARDATE REVISITED is brilliantly realized and affectionately approached. It’s a fast paced insight into the creation and execution of TNG, by a team which clearly holds vast appreciation for the source material - one even gets the sense Lay and Burnett love the very process of bringing this documentary to life. SR is touching, honest, fun, quick, and hugely informative. SR manages to be an education unto itself, in addition to being, perhaps, the most enjoyable, comprehensive, and informative documentaries on the making of STAR TREK I’ve ever come across. I’ve already watched it twice, and can’t wait to see what wonders future installments will bring our way."
- Glen Oliver, Ain't It Cool News

"There is just so much good stuff in STARDATE REVISITED that I don't want to spoil a moment of it for you. It's a joy and a thrill from start to finish. Lay and Burnett have clearly poured a tremendous amount of love, experience and expertise into these documentaries and they deserve the highest possible thanks for it. They're just a treat - every fan of this series needs to experience them."
- Bill Hunt, TheDigitalBits.com

"These are wonderfully candid interviews and don't feel promotional in the least… strikingly amazing!"
 - Aaron Peck, High Def Digest

"Colorful, concise and casual, STARDATE REVISITED is a fascinating journey that fans will really enjoy, and one that I'll probably return to on several occasions...and what's more, the best is yet to come! Very, very Highly Recommended."
- Randy Miller, DVDTalk

"A no-brainer for inclusion near the top of 2012's "best of" list and the release earns my highest recommendation. Paramount's done a great job on this set. The picture quality is superb, the audio excellent, and the supplements unbeatable. Trekkies will want to buy it immediately, fans of great Blu-ray and television should buy it quickly, and anyone who's ever wanted to jump into STAR TREK may as well jump in…"
- Martin Liebman, Bluray.com

"Those who like Star Trek, who always wanted to buy a Blu-ray player now have the perfect incentive."
- Bernd Schneider, Ex Astris Scientia

The complete first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation Remastered in glorious high definition is now available on blu-ray from CBS Home Entertainment. For an in-depth look at the set and an interview with Roger Lay, Jr visit startrek.com. Also check out this week's episode of Slice of Sci-Fi for an exclusive audio interview celebrating TNG's 25th anniversary.

For Trek fans who couldn't attend San Diego Comic Con 2012 here's some coverage from the Star trek TNG panel and press coference via treknews, movieviral, and startrek.com.

San Diego Comic Con 2012 Details: TNG and TOY MASTERS...

Urban Archipelago Films is proud to bring two very special projects to this year's San Diego Comic Con. First up, Urban Archipelago's Roger Lay, Jr. will be participating in a one-hour panel to talk about his work on the upcoming release of Star Trek: The Next Generation Remastered on blu-ray.
Urban Archipelago Films is producing a series of all-new documentaries along with hours of exclusive special features for CBS Home Entertainment’s highly anticipated release of TNG in High Definition. The complete first season is available on Blu-ray on July 24 featuring Stardate Revisited: The Origin of Star Trek The Next Generation and Energized: Taking the Next Generation to the Next level. Both documentaries are directed by Roger Lay, Jr and feature new interviews with the cast and key creative personnel of the iconic television drama.


Fans can get a first-hand account of the ongoing and painstaking work to transfer all seven seasons of the beloved series to high-definition during a special panel:

 Before and After: A Behind the Scenes Look at Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Journey Into High Definition.  
Taking place on Thursday, July 12 (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Room 7AB), the panel will give fans an insider’s look at how the original film elements were transferred into high-definition, and how the visual effects were painstakingly recreated from the source material to look better than ever.  Filmmaker and DVD producer Robert Meyer Burnett will moderate the panel which includes: Roger Lay, Jr. (Producer/Director, Blu-Ray), Mike and Denise Okuda (Project Consultants), David S. Grant (Vice President, Multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Ryan Adams (Director, Multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Craig Weiss (Creative Director, CBS Digital), Eric Bruno (Lead Compositor) and Wade Felker (Film Transfer Technician). 


Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time ever on July 24th, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE FIRST SEASON will offer fans unprecedented insight into the iconic and legendary series with a wealth of brand new, original bonus content created exclusively for the release.  The centerpiece of the new bonus features is a three-part, original documentary that goes behind the scenes for a look at the conception, development and creation of the show and features new interviews with the cast and crew of the popular series.  The set also includes a newly produced documentary – Energized! Taking The Next Generation to the Next Level – featuring interviews with the team that transformed the series into high-definition.
 

EXCLUSIVE, THREE-PART DOCUMENTARY

The all-new, three-part documentary Stardate Revisited – The Origin of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION provides unique insight into the early beginnings of what was soon to become one of television’s most successful sci-fi series.  

The first part, entitled “Inception,” includes interviews with original staff writers D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold discussing the early days of the show and Gene Roddenberry’s mission to create a program that would live up to the cultural phenomenon of the original Star Trek series.  In addition, executive producer Rick Berman looks back on the crucial pre-production period including preliminary casting choices and key creative decisions for year one.  Plus, the documentary includes insight from the entire art department including Star Trek expert Mike Okuda – who, along with Denise Okuda, served as a consultant throughout the ongoing Blu-ray project – providing a revealing look at the design process for such iconic elements of the series as the Starship Enterprise and redesigned Starfleet gear for the 24th century. 

Part two of the documentary, “Launch,” features all-new interviews with cast members Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher) and Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher).  With never-before-seen makeup and screen test footage of the cast, fans will have their first look at Burton and Spiner trying multiple versions of their iconic design elements such as the VISOR and Data’s makeup.  Plus, the cast will walk viewers through their auditioning process, and share memories of the making of Encounter at Farpoint, the fan-favorite television movie that launched the series. 

The conclusion of the three-part documentary, “The Continuing Mission,” includes first-hand accounts by Berman and producer David Livingston who detail the creation of the first season of the series from script to final edit. Members of the special effects teams also provide a never-before-seen look at the creation of the groundbreaking effects from motion control photography to video compositing techniques.  Also, Denise Crosby (Lt. Tasha Yar) joins other cast members to take a look back on the controversial decision to kill off her character in the first season episode “Skin Of Evil.” Finally, Eugene Roddenberry shares memories of his father, series creator Gene Roddenberry, who was responsible for one of the most enduring and beloved franchises in history. 

ENERGIZED: TAKING THE NEXT GENERATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

In addition, the set also includes a newly produced documentary titled Energized! Taking The Next Generation to the Next Level, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the FX artists and film restoration technicians at CBS Digital, detailing the philosophy and process behind the restoration.

On Friday July 13 San Diego Comic Con presents a one-hour panel celebrating the upcoming release of Urban Archipelago Film's all-new feature length documentary TOY MASTERS.


Toy Masters is the first ever feature-length documentary about the worldwide billion-dollar phenomenon that inspired an entire generation of children: Masters of the Universe (MOTU). Filmmakers Roger Lay Jr. and Corey Landis have tracked down all the key players in search for the answer to the question: “Who actually created He-Man?” The filmmakers will be screening exclusive material from the documentary and participating in a Q&A on Friday, July 13th, 2012, from 8:30pm-9:30pm in room 26AB.
Legions of MOTU fans are already buzzing with anticipation.
 It is likely the film will reach an even wider audience once released, (a la King of Kong), for the controversial rivalry between former Preliminary Designer for Mattel, Roger Sweet, and former Visual Designer for Mattel, Mark Taylor, (both of whom are claiming bragging rites for the initial concept behind He-Man), makes for a compelling, and highly entertaining film.
During this special one-hour panel fans will get to see exclusive footage from the epic toy industry smack-down that is TOY MASTERS. Moderator Robert Meyer Burnett (Director, Free Enterprise, Femme Fatales) will be joined on stage by Toy Masters producers Roger Lay, Jr and Corey Landis. Joining them on the panel will be many of the key players from the franchise's 30-year history including writer J. Michael Straczynski.

The film features interviews with the key creative personnel behind every version of the best selling toy line and all incarnations of "Masters of the Universe" on television, film, stage, and print, tracing the inception and ups and downs of the fantasy juggernaut. Everyone involved in the 30 year history of this beloved franchise makes appearances in the film including such genre luminaries as J.
Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, Marvel’s Thor), Richard Edlund (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark), William Stout (Conan The Barbarian, Pan's Labyrinth), Lou Scheimer (Filmation co-founder), Michael Westmore (Star Trek Franchise), Don Glut (Empire Strikes Back, Transformers Animated), and Gary Goddard (Terminator 2-3D, Captain Power).
For more details visit the San Diego Comic-Con official site: www.comic-con.org

Follow TOY MASTERS on the Facebook group for updates, including exclusive details on how you can be one of the first to see the film. Or go to the film’s official site for a first look at the trailer: www.toymastersmovie.com

Also, during the Comic Con panel, the filmmakers will reveal details on the world premiere of the film, which will be hosted by one of the most prestigious film festivals in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genre.

95 Miles to Go now available on DVD loaded with bonus features...

Video Services Corp has released the highly anticipated stand up comedy film 95 MILES TO GO after it's exclusive 3 year engagement on HBO.

The DVD comes loaded with all-new special features including never before seen stand up concert material from Ray Romano, deleted and extended scenes, Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, 4 commentary tracks featuring Romano, producers Tom Caltabiano, Roger Lay Jr and Cheyenne Pesko, and composer Adam Gorgoni.

More on the film can be found at the Huffington Post. A Q/A with filmmaker Roger Lay, Jr can be found over at My Film Reviews.

You can get your copy from Amazon NOW!

Watch Award-winning documentary THE TABLE now!!! Exclusively on Prescreen...

The award-winning documentary about Hollywood’s hopeful outsiders, geek-hustlers, and the perpetual have-nots  has launched on PreScreen Video On Demand with a special Los Angeles Premiere event on Monday, April 30th 2012 as part of The United Film Festival.

On April 30th The Table premiered at the Los Feliz 3 Cinemas. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the film‘s Director/Producer/Editor Ana Barredo (A Real Job), Producer/Cinematographer/Editor Roger Lay, Jr. (95 Miles to Go, Chrysalis), and Table founder Marc Scott Zicree (The Twilight Zone Companion). Also in attendance were long-time Table members, Playwright James Metropole, Emmy Award-Winning writer Michael Reaves (Star Trek The Next Generation, The Twilight Zone) and Television Director Michael Nankin (Battlestar Galactica, CSI). The Q&A was moderated by Robert Meyer Burnett (Director of Free Enterprise, Femme Fatales).

This special screening celebrated The Table’s Video On Demand release two day later. The Table is one of the first films being offered as a 60-Day Exclusive Preview on the new video-on-demand platform: Prescreen. Prescreen is a curated social discovery video- on-demand platform designed to promote and showcase premium content. With only 60 movies to choose from at any given time, Prescreen makes sure that quality indies like The Table won’t get lost in the shuffle.
Once the 60-Day Exclusive Preview has ended The Table will then be available on other digital platforms such as iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and PlayStation Network.

The Table follows the lives of a group of Hollywood hopefuls for one year. They are members of a network support group called The Table that has been meeting together in the backrooms of restaurants every Thursday for nearly 20 years. Entertainment professionals at every level mingle with aspiring amateurs, creative castaways, the diligent and desperate alike - offering whatever advice, support, networking opportunities, and resources they have in hopes of at least maybe one day rising to the... middle. Hollywood can be a lonesome, cruel place for an outsider trying to get that first foot in the door. Even more so for waning stars, struggling to reclaim their former glory. But at The Table, they have built a thriving creative community. A community of talented individuals who aren’t waiting around for chance luck, they’re banding together to produce their own projects.
The Table was founded by a notable figure of the Sci-Fi community, Author/Screenwriter Marc Scott Zicree (The Twilight Zone Companion, Sliders). Every Thursday night for 20 years, Zicree has proven the power of old school social networking. He’s the Grand Poobah of a gigantic social network which includes such notable figures (also appearing in the documentary) as: Guillermo Del Toro (Dir. Pan’s Labyrinth), George Takei (Star Trek), Armin Shimerman (Deep Space Nine), and Chris Wyatt (Prod. Napoleon Dynamite).

Enormously and genuinely compassionate, Zicree is also tirelessly and comically self- aggrandizing, which makes him a lovable foil to his own efforts time and again. As The Table continues to help build the careers of others, will Zicree find the personal success he is looking for?
But one of the most compelling stories in The Table is of Jim Troesh, a quadriplegic Writer/Actor/Director. In the 1980’s, Troesh had a recurring role on Highway To Heaven co-starring alongside TV’s Michael Landon. Troesh was also a scriptwriter for the show. But when it got cancelled, the disabled actor endured a decades long dry spell. With great humility and deadpan humor he recounts his tale of finding his way back, by collaborating with members of The Table. It is a bittersweet coda that only hours after The Table won Best Documentary at the 2011 SoCal Film Festival, Jim Troesh passed away from complications due to his condition. A fan of dark comedy, he would have appreciated the irony...

The Table is represented by United Films, a division of Connell Creations (producers of Holy Rollers), and will be distributed digitally by New Video Group (Best Worst Movie, Being Elmo).
The Table will also be screening in NYC on May 16th, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Cobble Hill Cinemas as part of The New York United Film Festival.
The Table will be available online as a 60-Day Exclusive Preview starting May 2nd, 2012 - on the new video-on-demand platform: Prescreen. For information, please visit: www.prescreen.com
For more info about the documentary The Table visit: http://www.thetable-movie.com/
Also visit Slice of Sci-Fi for an exclusive interview with the filmmakers.

Roger Lay, Jr is the guest in this week's edition of THE REAL STUFF...

Tune in to this week's episode of THE REAL STUFF for an interview with Producer/Director Roger Lay, Jr. This bi-weekly podcast series focuses on the art of documentary filmmaking featuring interviews with artists working in unscripted programming including reality shows, documentaries, and everything in between. They may not be on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, but they make some of the best shows and movies on television. Listen to the practical side of the business and hear how to get jobs and keep them. In this week's edition Roger talks about his work in such documentary projects as RAY ROMANO'S 95 MILES TO GO (coming to DVD May 22), the award-winning indie doc THE TABLE (Available On Demand May 2) and the upcoming TOY MASTERS, a controversial new doc about the 25 year battle for credit over creating the billion dollar grossing MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE toy line from Mattel. Click here to listen.

Jerry Lewis: The Jazz Singer - Now available on DVD restored and remastered

From the personal archives of Jerry Lewis, the original 1959 tele-film is finally available on DVD from Inception Media Group. The DVD includes an all-new documentary piece which chronicles the restoration and remastering process of the film from original color elements. Urban Archipelago Films' Roger Lay Jr and Ana Barredo co-produced the new piece as part of the special features for the DVD release. You can order your copy now from amazon and all other major retailers.