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Press Release

Press Release: Deja View Wins a Telly Award!

by Ed Glaser on June 20, 2011 · 6 comments

in Deja View,Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dark Maze Studios Wins a Telly Award
32nd Annual Telly Awards honors the very best commercials, videos, films and Internet work

NEW YORK CITY, NY – 06/20/2011 – The winners of the 32nd Annual Telly Awards have been announced, with Ed Glaser of Dark Maze Studios taking home a statuette for the online video series “Deja View”. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this year’s Telly Awards has been one of the most successful and competitive in the long history of the Telly Awards.

In “Deja View”, producer and host Ed Glaser spotlights unauthorized foreign remakes of popular American films. Featuring Indian versions of “Harry Potter” and “A Nightmare on Elm St.”, a Turkish adaptation of “Superman”, and a Brazilian “Planet of the Apes”, Glaser compares these films to their Hollywood counterparts and discusses the context in which they were produced. The episode on “Savior of the Earth” — the Korean “TRON” — won a Telly in the Informational category.

“I have an intense fascination with these remakes,” explains Glaser, who in 2009 produced the first English language release of the 1986 film “Rampage (Korkusuz)” — the so-called “Turkish Rambo.” “It’s a thrill that other people are as interested in these films as I am, and I’m honored to win a Telly Award for ‘Deja View.’”

Other Telly Award winners this year include NBC Universal, Blizzard Entertainment, Turner Studios, FOX Sports Net, Nickelodeon, Walt Disney, Discovery Channel, Time Warner Cable, and Cartoon Network.

About Dark Maze Studios
Dark Maze Studios is a Champaign, IL-based independent studio that strives to produce high-quality entertainment on budgets Hollywood would consider pocket change. Dark Maze has produced a number of successful films and web series since 2002. For more about Dark Maze Studios, visit www.darkmaze.com.

About The Telly Awards
Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

CONTACT:
Ed Glaser, President
(217) 722-8289
ed@darkmaze.com
www.darkmaze.com

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And here’s the winning video:

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Press Release: Definitely Not “Game Over”: Dark Maze Studios Releases “Press Start 2 Continue”

by Ed Glaser on March 11, 2011 · 1 comment

in Press Release,Press Start 2 Continue

CHAMPAIGN, IL – 03/11/2011 – Dark Maze Studios has officially released “Press Start 2 Continue”, the sequel to the videogame comedy “Press Start” which in 2007 was described by Kotaku.com as “a cult classic in the making.” The $14.99 DVD is available at PressStart2.com.

In this film, the world’s most inexplicably accomplished evil sorcerer, Count Vile, has returned from Hades for a new bid at global domination. With original champions Zack and Sam already in his clutches, it’s up to their estranged, ultraviolent comrade Lin-Ku and the bubbly, positive-thinking Princess Xanna to save them – and the world – from disaster.

“Press Start 2 Continue” also adds fan favorite characters from the “Press Start Adventures” animated web series including the sardonic vampire lord Vlad (David S. Humphrey, Sonic Adventure 2 & Jack Keane), sinister succubus Morgan Le Slay, and white-haired assassin Scarthcaroth. Web personalities Noah Antwiler, Stuart Ashen, Lindsey “Z” Briggs, and X-Strike Studios’ Tim Ekkebus & Rory O’Boyle also join the cast.

The DVD includes the following:

  • 2 Filmmaker Commentaries
  • Cast Commentary
  • “Making-of” Featurette
  • “Press Start: Bio Haphazard” Short
  • Illustrated mini-poster insert
Described by Destructoid.com as “the best videogame movie ever made,” the original “Press Start” has gained fans worldwide amongst gamers for its clever writing and spot-on parody, making up for low-budget indie production with geek-tastic laughs and behind-the-scenes dedication.

The online press kit can be found at www.PressStart2.com, including high-res photos, production notes, and the movie’s trailer.

About Dark Maze Studios
Dark Maze Studios is a Champaign, Illinois-based micro-budget independent studio that strives to produce high-quality entertainment on budgets Hollywood would consider pocket change. Dark Maze has produced a number of successful films since 2002.

CONTACT:
Ed Glaser, President
(217) 722-8289
ed@darkmaze.com
www.darkmaze.com

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Press Release: Dark Maze Prepares to Unleash “Space Ninja”

by Ed Glaser on November 23, 2009

in Press Release,Space Ninja

CHAMPAIGN, IL – 11/23/2009 – “Space Ninja,” a new 10 x 3-minute animated web series produced by Dark Maze Studios, will premiere next year on the studio’s website, www.darkmaze.com.

Described as equal parts Kurosawa and B-grade kung fu films (in space), the series follows a cybernetic ninja who is betrayed by his master and must protect a feudalistic society of spaceship dwellers from a sadistic demon lord.

The concept began as an online comic book by artist and series creator Alex Mitchell. Producer Ed Glaser explains, “the idea was incredible and the artwork was fantastic. I had never seen anything like it: a robotic ninja wreaking havoc in an enormous space temple! Before the first issue of the comic was even finished I was begging Alex to create an animated version.”

“Space Ninja” also features original music by film composer Chuck Cirino (“Deathstalker II,” “Komodo vs. Cobra”).

For more information about the series and to sign up for the newsletter, visit the official website at www.darkmaze.com/spaceninja.

About Dark Maze Studios
Dark Maze Studios is a Champaign, Illinois-based micro-budget independent studio that strives to produce high-quality entertainment on budgets Hollywood would consider pocket change. Dark Maze has produced a number of successful films since 2002. “Space Ninja” is the second animated series produced by Dark Maze Studios.

CONTACT:
Ed Glaser, President
(217) 722-8289
ed@darkmaze.com
www.darkmaze.com

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Press Release: Sequel to Videogame Comedy Movie “Press Start” In Production

by Ed Glaser on October 19, 2009

in Press Release,Press Start 2 Continue

CHAMPAIGN, IL – 10/19/2009 – It turns out their princess was in another movie. Dark Maze Studios, who released the acclaimed videogame parody movie “Press Start” in 2007, is proud to announce production on the sequel, “Press Start 2 Continue”.

Slated for a 2010 DVD release, “Press Start 2 Continue” reunites the creative team behind “Press Start” and follows the further adventures of heroes Zack, Sam, and Lin-Ku.

The original “Press Start” told the story of three ill-matched heroes tasked with saving the videogame world from an insecure evil sorcerer. And along the way, a host of classic videogame series and clichés were lovingly lampooned. The movie and the animated web series accompanying it featured guest actors and voice talent from game franchises such as Mortal Kombat, Castlevania, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Producer/director Ed Glaser explains, “The great thing about making these movies is that everyone involved loves the games we’re spoofing. From the actors to the set designer to the composer, we all live this stuff on and off camera.”

Glaser is hoping that their love of the very games they poke fun at comes through in the same way as the original. This is no big-budget affair; much like the original “Press Start”, enthusiasm, elbow grease and a sense of humor are all they have to make it work.

Fans interested in following the production can tune in to Glaser’s blog at www.darkmaze.com, where they can also view the monthly “Press Start Adventures” animated web series that will lead up to the release.

About Dark Maze Studios
Dark Maze Studios is a Champaign, Illinois-based micro-budget independent studio that strives to produce high-quality entertainment on budgets Hollywood would consider pocket change. Dark Maze has produced a number of successful films since 2002.

For more information, visit the official website at www.PressStart2.com.

CONTACT:
Ed Glaser, President
(217) 722-8289
ed@darkmaze.com
www.darkmaze.com

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"Press Start 2 Continue" Teaser Poster, Press Release

by Ed Glaser on October 19, 2009 · 5 comments

in Press Release,Press Start 2 Continue

Press Start 2 Continue poster

Sequel to Videogame Comedy Movie “Press Start” In Production

CHAMPAIGN, IL – 10/19/2009 – It turns out their princess was in another movie. Dark Maze Studios, who released the acclaimed videogame parody movie “Press Start” in 2007, is proud to announce production on the sequel, “Press Start 2 Continue”.

Slated for a 2010 DVD release, “Press Start 2 Continue” reunites the creative team behind “Press Start” and follows the further adventures of heroes Zack, Sam, and Lin-Ku.

The original “Press Start” told the story of three ill-matched heroes tasked with saving the videogame world from an insecure evil sorcerer. And along the way, a host of classic videogame series and clichés were lovingly lampooned. The movie and the animated web series accompanying it featured guest actors and voice talent from game franchises such as Mortal Kombat, Castlevania, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Producer/director Ed Glaser explains, “The great thing about making these movies is that everyone involved loves the games we’re spoofing. From the actors to the set designer to the composer, we all live this stuff on and off camera.”

Glaser is hoping that their love of the very games they poke fun at comes through in the same way as the original. This is no big-budget affair; much like the original “Press Start”, enthusiasm, elbow grease and a sense of humor are all they have to make it work.

Fans interested in following the production can tune in to Glaser’s blog at www.darkmaze.com, where they can also view the monthly “Press Start Adventures” animated web series that will lead up to the release.

About Dark Maze Studios
Dark Maze Studios is a Champaign, Illinois-based micro-budget independent studio that strives to produce high-quality entertainment on budgets Hollywood would consider pocket change. Dark Maze has produced a number of successful films since 2002.

For more information, visit the official website at www.PressStart2.com.

CONTACT:
Ed Glaser, President
(217) 722-8289
ed@darkmaze.com
www.darkmaze.com

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