While Marvel’s Avengers will play host to a number of villains during the course of the campaign – Taskmaster and Abomination, to name just two, have featured prominently in previous trailers – the central antagonistic force in Crystal Dynamics’ ambitious title is Advanced Idea Mechanics, or A.I.M. for short.
At the forefront of advanced weapons development, the criminal organization (which disguises its dealings under the facade of an innocent tech company) employs some of the finest scientists around the world to mastermind its creations, including George Tarleton and Monica Rappaccini. Both have genius-level intellect to rival that of Stark Industries’ Tony Stark, though while the latter lends their talents to use protecting the innocent, A.I.M. only does so in writing.
While Tarleton and Rappanacci may believe they have humanity’s best interests at heart, the ruthless pursuit of that goal isn’t exactly high on the list...
At the forefront of advanced weapons development, the criminal organization (which disguises its dealings under the facade of an innocent tech company) employs some of the finest scientists around the world to mastermind its creations, including George Tarleton and Monica Rappaccini. Both have genius-level intellect to rival that of Stark Industries’ Tony Stark, though while the latter lends their talents to use protecting the innocent, A.I.M. only does so in writing.
While Tarleton and Rappanacci may believe they have humanity’s best interests at heart, the ruthless pursuit of that goal isn’t exactly high on the list...
- 8/21/2020
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
For reasons that are no doubt obvious to everyone, Marvel’s Avengers has been on the receiving end of substantial criticism as of late.
Spider-Man, one of the most beloved and iconic superheroes ever, was confirmed last week to be a playable character in the action-adventure title, exclusive the PlayStation family of consoles. Despite having little to no say in regards to the deal brokered between Marvel, Sony and Square Enix, developer Crystal Dynamics has also come under fire from disgruntled fans in the announcement’s aftermath, ire that, clearly, is misplaced.
The conscious decision to deny Xbox and PC gamers the ability to play as the wall-crawler is, of course, one worth scrutinizing, and, what’s more, fans are quite rightly concerned if Spidey’s exclusivity will result in a weaker or obviously disjointed narrative in versions of the game where he isn’t present. Unsurprisingly, the topic has...
Spider-Man, one of the most beloved and iconic superheroes ever, was confirmed last week to be a playable character in the action-adventure title, exclusive the PlayStation family of consoles. Despite having little to no say in regards to the deal brokered between Marvel, Sony and Square Enix, developer Crystal Dynamics has also come under fire from disgruntled fans in the announcement’s aftermath, ire that, clearly, is misplaced.
The conscious decision to deny Xbox and PC gamers the ability to play as the wall-crawler is, of course, one worth scrutinizing, and, what’s more, fans are quite rightly concerned if Spidey’s exclusivity will result in a weaker or obviously disjointed narrative in versions of the game where he isn’t present. Unsurprisingly, the topic has...
- 8/10/2020
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
If there’s one thing Marvel’s Avengers fans needn’t have any concern over, it’s a lack of ideas when it comes to adding post-launch Dlc.
Crystal Dynamics, after all, is in the unique position of being able to draw from over 80 years of superhero history as far as viable material goes, though there’s one particular group of heroes that many have assumed would always be off the table. Thanks to its acquisition of 20th Century Fox last year, Disney – and by extension, Marvel – now have full ownership of the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises across all types of media, though due to years of separation on the big screen, there exists a massive thematic and narrative gulf between the two.
With that said, however, Marvel’s Avengers, as its developer is keen to stress, exists in its own universe outside of the McU, meaning the rules...
Crystal Dynamics, after all, is in the unique position of being able to draw from over 80 years of superhero history as far as viable material goes, though there’s one particular group of heroes that many have assumed would always be off the table. Thanks to its acquisition of 20th Century Fox last year, Disney – and by extension, Marvel – now have full ownership of the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises across all types of media, though due to years of separation on the big screen, there exists a massive thematic and narrative gulf between the two.
With that said, however, Marvel’s Avengers, as its developer is keen to stress, exists in its own universe outside of the McU, meaning the rules...
- 8/10/2020
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Marvel announced in January 2017 that it has signed a multi-year, multi-game deal with publisher Square Enix to develop titles based on the popular superhero universe. The first title in the works is Marvel’s Avengers.
According to Marvel, the game will feature a completely new and original story, and will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jam-packed with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
Marvel will continue the trend of hiring top-notch talent for games based on their most popular characters. Marvel’s Avengers is being developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider), with help from Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex). Shaun Escayg, former Naughty Dog creative director, and Stephen Barry, a 27-year games vet from EA and Visceral Games, have also joined the project in leadership roles at Crystal Dynamics.
That’s one hell of a team-up. Together, they...
According to Marvel, the game will feature a completely new and original story, and will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jam-packed with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
Marvel will continue the trend of hiring top-notch talent for games based on their most popular characters. Marvel’s Avengers is being developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider), with help from Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex). Shaun Escayg, former Naughty Dog creative director, and Stephen Barry, a 27-year games vet from EA and Visceral Games, have also joined the project in leadership roles at Crystal Dynamics.
That’s one hell of a team-up. Together, they...
- 6/24/2020
- by jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
Rob Leane Nov 27, 2019
How do Captain Marvel and Hank Pym fit into Marvel's Avengers? We asked game director Shaun Escayg...
Virgin Media hosted a special preview event of the upcoming Marvel's Avengers in London last week, and Shaun Escayg, the game's creative director/writer, was on-hand to answer questions. We jumped at the chance to ask Escayg about two characters that have been teased in the game's promotional materials: Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) and Hank Pym (aka Ant-Man).
It has already been confirmed that the shape-shifting young superhero Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel) will play a key role in the game, picking up Inhuman superpowers early on and then reuniting Earth's Mightiest Heroes a little while later. As well as Kamala, you'll also be able to play as Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Black Widow.
Although we haven't seen Captain Marvel in the game's trailers yet,...
How do Captain Marvel and Hank Pym fit into Marvel's Avengers? We asked game director Shaun Escayg...
Virgin Media hosted a special preview event of the upcoming Marvel's Avengers in London last week, and Shaun Escayg, the game's creative director/writer, was on-hand to answer questions. We jumped at the chance to ask Escayg about two characters that have been teased in the game's promotional materials: Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) and Hank Pym (aka Ant-Man).
It has already been confirmed that the shape-shifting young superhero Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel) will play a key role in the game, picking up Inhuman superpowers early on and then reuniting Earth's Mightiest Heroes a little while later. As well as Kamala, you'll also be able to play as Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Black Widow.
Although we haven't seen Captain Marvel in the game's trailers yet,...
- 11/26/2019
- Den of Geek
Rob Leane Nov 26, 2019
The creative director of Marvel's Avengers talks us through his pre-release experiences, including fan backlash over the character designs.
Shaun Escayg is the creative director and writer for the upcoming Marvel’s Avengers, which is being developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal with Square Enix serving as the title’s publisher. And at a special Marvel’s Avengers event that was hosted by Virgin Media in London, Den of Geek was lucky enough to sit down with Escayg for a quick chat about his game’s journey so far.
One of the biggest steps in the game’s pre-release marketing campaign came in June 2019, with the reveal of the first trailer at E3 2019, as fans around the globe tuned in online to see what this Avengers experience was all about. There were plenty of positive reactions, but there was also a vocal section of fans...
The creative director of Marvel's Avengers talks us through his pre-release experiences, including fan backlash over the character designs.
Shaun Escayg is the creative director and writer for the upcoming Marvel’s Avengers, which is being developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal with Square Enix serving as the title’s publisher. And at a special Marvel’s Avengers event that was hosted by Virgin Media in London, Den of Geek was lucky enough to sit down with Escayg for a quick chat about his game’s journey so far.
One of the biggest steps in the game’s pre-release marketing campaign came in June 2019, with the reveal of the first trailer at E3 2019, as fans around the globe tuned in online to see what this Avengers experience was all about. There were plenty of positive reactions, but there was also a vocal section of fans...
- 11/26/2019
- Den of Geek
Having one studio shoulder the workload of an ambitious project sometimes just isn’t enough. In the case of Marvel’s Avengers, Crystal Dynamics’ vision for the super-powered action-adventure has grown to such a scope that it had to draft in reinforcements to ensure that everything not only gets done on time but by the people that best know how to do so. In a recent interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Crystal Dynamics’ Scott Amos describes how the size of its newest venture is already well beyond that of anything it’s done in the past.
Prior to securing perhaps one of the most lucrative licenses on the planet right now, Crystal had previously dedicated several years to modernizing one of gaming’s greatest icons: Tomb Raider. That campaign reached its end last year with the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, itself a story told via a multi-hour campaign...
Prior to securing perhaps one of the most lucrative licenses on the planet right now, Crystal had previously dedicated several years to modernizing one of gaming’s greatest icons: Tomb Raider. That campaign reached its end last year with the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, itself a story told via a multi-hour campaign...
- 6/21/2019
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Concluding two years of worrying silence following its announcement in 2017, Marvel’s Avengers was officially unveiled at this year’s E3. The project, which has been placed in the gifted hands of Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics, is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2020, but frustratingly, that’s largely where the supply of new details ends. See, besides the slick cinematic trailer confirming the obvious – that you’ll be playing as the titular iconic superhero team – gameplay was entirely absent from the reveal.
Thankfully, various members of the development team have since been persuaded to part with lucrative information regarding the game’s narrative structure and monetization models, but the main attraction? Not a chance. In fact, the only glimpse of gameplay we’ve so far received has come via leaked footage and while that’s helped to shed further light on Marvel’s Avengers, mechanics still remain a closely-guarded secret.
Thankfully, various members of the development team have since been persuaded to part with lucrative information regarding the game’s narrative structure and monetization models, but the main attraction? Not a chance. In fact, the only glimpse of gameplay we’ve so far received has come via leaked footage and while that’s helped to shed further light on Marvel’s Avengers, mechanics still remain a closely-guarded secret.
- 6/18/2019
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Fan reaction to Marvel’s Avengers has been furiously flip-flopping over the last few days for multiple reasons. The action-adventure title, which was first announced in 2017, was officially unveiled at this year’s E3 with a gorgeous cinematic trailer. Besides setting the stage for its take on Marvel’s iconic supergroup, however, developer Crystal Dynamics offered little else in the way of concrete details.
Rather than dedicate screen time to showing direct gameplay footage, the studio instead reeled off several facts, including the affirmation that no pay-to-win purchases or loot boxes would be present in-game. Predictably, that revelation elicited roars of approval from crowds attending the show in Los Angeles, but they may well prove to be premature. Marvel’s Avengers won’t be bogged down by either of those monetization models, it’s true, but microtransactions will be present.
Speaking to IGN post-show, Crystal’s lead creative director Shaun Escayg...
Rather than dedicate screen time to showing direct gameplay footage, the studio instead reeled off several facts, including the affirmation that no pay-to-win purchases or loot boxes would be present in-game. Predictably, that revelation elicited roars of approval from crowds attending the show in Los Angeles, but they may well prove to be premature. Marvel’s Avengers won’t be bogged down by either of those monetization models, it’s true, but microtransactions will be present.
Speaking to IGN post-show, Crystal’s lead creative director Shaun Escayg...
- 6/17/2019
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Undoubtedly one of the biggest reveals to come out of this year’s E3 was Marvel’s Avengers. As we had all hoped, Crystal Dynamics wowed onlookers with a stunning presentation and the promise of a grand adventure, but not all were happy with what was shown. In terms of visual fidelity, it’s irrefutable that Marvel’s illustrious franchise looks gorgeous in video game form, at least from the pre-alpha cinematic shown, but as far as character designs go, opinions start taking a turn for the worse.
In wake of the world’s first look at Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and the rest of the gang, initial reactions to their facial and outfit designs have ranged from mixed to outright scornful. The blanket of negativity doesn’t quite cover every member, though. Hulk, for example, looks more or less identical to his previous incarnations. But the rest? Not so much.
In wake of the world’s first look at Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and the rest of the gang, initial reactions to their facial and outfit designs have ranged from mixed to outright scornful. The blanket of negativity doesn’t quite cover every member, though. Hulk, for example, looks more or less identical to his previous incarnations. But the rest? Not so much.
- 6/14/2019
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Rob Leane Jun 8, 2019
Let's have a look at the confirmed new titles and the biggest rumors in the world of superhero video games...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Something about superheroes and video games just clicks together perfectly: whether you're swooping through Gotham as DC's Dark Knight or swinging through New York as Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, the ability to step into the shoes of our favorite comic book characters - and beat up goons with their signature gadgets - is just pure, unadulterated fun.
We are, however, in a little bit of a no man's land at the moment. We waited for ages for Marvel's Spider-Man, but now that game and all of its Dlc is firmly in the rearview mirror. DC's most recent single-player superhero adventure title was Batman: Arkham Knight, which is even older. Neither of those games has a sequel officially announced,...
Let's have a look at the confirmed new titles and the biggest rumors in the world of superhero video games...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Something about superheroes and video games just clicks together perfectly: whether you're swooping through Gotham as DC's Dark Knight or swinging through New York as Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, the ability to step into the shoes of our favorite comic book characters - and beat up goons with their signature gadgets - is just pure, unadulterated fun.
We are, however, in a little bit of a no man's land at the moment. We waited for ages for Marvel's Spider-Man, but now that game and all of its Dlc is firmly in the rearview mirror. DC's most recent single-player superhero adventure title was Batman: Arkham Knight, which is even older. Neither of those games has a sequel officially announced,...
- 1/9/2019
- Den of Geek
Last year, Marvel and Square Enix announced that they were partnering up to develop a new video game based on The Avengers. There haven't been a lot of details released on the game since the initial announcement, but Marvel recently offered some new details that are sure to get fans even more excited about what they are going to bring us. They've also assembled an impressive team to create this thing! First of all, here's some information teasing the scale of the game:
The Avengers project, featuring a completely new and original story, will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jammed pack with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
That sounds pretty damn radical and with the talented individuals that Marvel and Square Enix brought on board to develop it, you can bet they are going to deliver something spectacular!
The Avengers project, featuring a completely new and original story, will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jammed pack with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
That sounds pretty damn radical and with the talented individuals that Marvel and Square Enix brought on board to develop it, you can bet they are going to deliver something spectacular!
- 2/5/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
With the release of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, developer Naughty Dog was very clear that we would no longer see any more adventures starring Nathan Drake. From its initial development, Uncharted 4 was always meant to serve as the last outing for Nathan and co., and for anyone who’s played through the game in its entirety, it’s not hard to see why we probably won’t be getting any further adventures starring the main man himself.
With the upcoming release of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which stars Chloe Frazer as she teams up with Nadine Ross for a trek across India, fans have been wondering if this standalone release marks the end of the series as we know it. That’s still up for debate, but according to Shaun Escayg, creative director and writer of The Lost Legacy, it’s highly unlikely that we’ve seen the last of the Uncharted name.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Escayg was quick to point out that there are many other stories to be told in the Uncharted universe, and that The Lost Legacy simply ended up focusing on Chloe Frazer, who originally debuted in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves:
I wouldn’t say it’s the end. This thieving world is huge. There’s so many characters. Even before we settled on this particular story we were exploring Sullivan, we were exploring Cutter, and pairing each other up, thinking what would be right, what would have conflict, growth, something new, something fresh. And Chloe was the one that kept jumping out.
It’s worth noting that if Naughty Dog were to return to the Uncharted series at some point, it may take a few years before we hear any news on such a project. That’s because aside from The Lost Legacy, the studio is currently hard at work on The Last of Us Part II, which was announced at last year’s PlayStation Experience. Still, it doesn’t seem like this is the end and as soon as we learn anything more on the much beloved series, we’ll be sure to let you know.
With the upcoming release of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which stars Chloe Frazer as she teams up with Nadine Ross for a trek across India, fans have been wondering if this standalone release marks the end of the series as we know it. That’s still up for debate, but according to Shaun Escayg, creative director and writer of The Lost Legacy, it’s highly unlikely that we’ve seen the last of the Uncharted name.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Escayg was quick to point out that there are many other stories to be told in the Uncharted universe, and that The Lost Legacy simply ended up focusing on Chloe Frazer, who originally debuted in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves:
I wouldn’t say it’s the end. This thieving world is huge. There’s so many characters. Even before we settled on this particular story we were exploring Sullivan, we were exploring Cutter, and pairing each other up, thinking what would be right, what would have conflict, growth, something new, something fresh. And Chloe was the one that kept jumping out.
It’s worth noting that if Naughty Dog were to return to the Uncharted series at some point, it may take a few years before we hear any news on such a project. That’s because aside from The Lost Legacy, the studio is currently hard at work on The Last of Us Part II, which was announced at last year’s PlayStation Experience. Still, it doesn’t seem like this is the end and as soon as we learn anything more on the much beloved series, we’ll be sure to let you know.
- 6/21/2017
- by Shaan Joshi
- We Got This Covered
Matthew Byrd Jun 22, 2017
Uncharted: Lost Legacy's creative director believes that the franchise's world is brimming with interesting stories...
While Naughty Dog still insists that we've seen the last of Nathan Drake in the Uncharted universe, they're stopping short of confirming that they intend to end the Uncharted franchise any time soon.
See related Preacher season 2 "gets more and more gory" Preacher episode 10 review: Call And Response 50 upcoming comic book TV shows, and when to expect them
"...to say the Uncharted world is done... I doubt that highly," said Uncharted: The Lost Legacy creative director Shaun Escayg in an interview with Eurogamer.
Escayg believes that there are interesting characters in the world the team built through the first four Uncharted games to justify a series of side-stories similar to the one featured in Lost Legacy.
"This thieving world is huge. There's so many characters," said Escayg. "Even before we settled on...
Uncharted: Lost Legacy's creative director believes that the franchise's world is brimming with interesting stories...
While Naughty Dog still insists that we've seen the last of Nathan Drake in the Uncharted universe, they're stopping short of confirming that they intend to end the Uncharted franchise any time soon.
See related Preacher season 2 "gets more and more gory" Preacher episode 10 review: Call And Response 50 upcoming comic book TV shows, and when to expect them
"...to say the Uncharted world is done... I doubt that highly," said Uncharted: The Lost Legacy creative director Shaun Escayg in an interview with Eurogamer.
Escayg believes that there are interesting characters in the world the team built through the first four Uncharted games to justify a series of side-stories similar to the one featured in Lost Legacy.
"This thieving world is huge. There's so many characters," said Escayg. "Even before we settled on...
- 6/21/2017
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd Jun 13, 2017
We're getting a brand new Uncharted game later this summer. Here's a trailer for The Lost Legacy...
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is the next chapter in the adventure series, but it won't star Nathan Drake. Main character Chloe Frazer and her partner, Nadine Ross, will find themselves on a race to the death to get to the treasure first. The article also teases that Nadine, who first appeared in Uncharted 4, has a history with Asav.
See related Neill Blomkamp interview: sci-fi shorts and Oats Studios
Said Naughty Dog creative director Shaun Escayg in the article that Uncharted: The Lost Legacy will be a more "grounded story," and will deal with Chloe's past, as she returns to her native India after many years. The game will also explore her relationship with her father.
The E3 2017 trailer for Lost Legacy was our first full-length look at the game's basic plot.
We're getting a brand new Uncharted game later this summer. Here's a trailer for The Lost Legacy...
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is the next chapter in the adventure series, but it won't star Nathan Drake. Main character Chloe Frazer and her partner, Nadine Ross, will find themselves on a race to the death to get to the treasure first. The article also teases that Nadine, who first appeared in Uncharted 4, has a history with Asav.
See related Neill Blomkamp interview: sci-fi shorts and Oats Studios
Said Naughty Dog creative director Shaun Escayg in the article that Uncharted: The Lost Legacy will be a more "grounded story," and will deal with Chloe's past, as she returns to her native India after many years. The game will also explore her relationship with her father.
The E3 2017 trailer for Lost Legacy was our first full-length look at the game's basic plot.
- 6/13/2017
- Den of Geek
See Full Gallery Here
Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross gear up for a sweeping Indian adventure in the stunning first concept art for Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
Coming to us by way of Game Informer, the images above confirm the Western Ghats to be the primary setting of Naughty Dog’s standalone Dlc. It’s a mountain range located on the western coast of India, one that’s said to be the home of a fabled artifact. So far, so familiar. But in crafting a spinoff story for Chloe and Nadine, the creative team made a conscious effort to delve a little deeper into the character of Chloe, who starred opposite Nathan Drake for Among Thieves and Drake’s Deception, before sitting on the sidelines for last year’s triumphant swan song, A Thief’s End.
Here’s what Creative Director Shaun Escayg told Game Informer: “It gets a little...
Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross gear up for a sweeping Indian adventure in the stunning first concept art for Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
Coming to us by way of Game Informer, the images above confirm the Western Ghats to be the primary setting of Naughty Dog’s standalone Dlc. It’s a mountain range located on the western coast of India, one that’s said to be the home of a fabled artifact. So far, so familiar. But in crafting a spinoff story for Chloe and Nadine, the creative team made a conscious effort to delve a little deeper into the character of Chloe, who starred opposite Nathan Drake for Among Thieves and Drake’s Deception, before sitting on the sidelines for last year’s triumphant swan song, A Thief’s End.
Here’s what Creative Director Shaun Escayg told Game Informer: “It gets a little...
- 3/14/2017
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
John Saavedra Adam McDonnell Jan 14, 2020
Everything you need to know about Marvel's Avengers, including latest news, release date, trailer, and more!
Marvel announced in January 2017 that it has signed a multi-year, multi-game deal with publisher Square Enix to develop titles based on the popular superhero universe. The first title in the works is Marvel's Avengers.
According to Marvel, the game will feature a completely new and original story, and will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jam-packed with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
It also looks like Marvel will continue the trend of hiring top-notch talent for games based on their most popular characters. "The Avengers project," as it's being referred to at the moment by Marvel, is being developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider), with help from Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex). Shaun Escayg, former Naughty Dog creative director,...
Everything you need to know about Marvel's Avengers, including latest news, release date, trailer, and more!
Marvel announced in January 2017 that it has signed a multi-year, multi-game deal with publisher Square Enix to develop titles based on the popular superhero universe. The first title in the works is Marvel's Avengers.
According to Marvel, the game will feature a completely new and original story, and will introduce a universe gamers can play in for years to come. The project will be jam-packed with characters, environments, and iconic moments that will thrill Marvelites.
It also looks like Marvel will continue the trend of hiring top-notch talent for games based on their most popular characters. "The Avengers project," as it's being referred to at the moment by Marvel, is being developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider), with help from Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex). Shaun Escayg, former Naughty Dog creative director,...
- 1/26/2017
- Den of Geek
Trinidad & Tobago, a small island nation is filled with every race. As if a microcosm of the world today at its best, as if without the daily problems of life, violence or the political problems the people must cope with in their lives, the privileged participants in trinidad + tobago film festival, now approaching its 10th year, spent a glorious week together sharing cinema, one of the seven new industries this oil rich republic has designated for development.
This country is one of 28 Caribbean islands which share a tropical paradise of beaches and forests, and yet each is unique with its own mix of music and people living on islands surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean. The collective intelligence of indigenous, African, Indian, Chinese, Syrian, Spanish, French and British traditions is being redefined by a new generation, developing its métier of cinema, new and social media here.
The Caribbean multiplicity of island cultures, T&T's proximity to Latin America along the western Caribbean coastline and how the film festival's founder and director Bruce Paddington sees the film industry developing from this pivotal point inspires everyone who attends this festival. The staff, including creative director Emilie Upczak, and the entire staff and the volunteers have improved the festival programming and the business activities of the filmmakers.
"When you talk about Caribbean films, you have to be aware of the history of its diversity," said festival founder Bruce Paddington. "When people ask me about the Caribbean aesthetic, I have to, in many ways start talking about history and colonialism, and neo-colonialism and issues of slavery and pirates and languages. You have the French, Spanish, English and the Dutch. The Caribbean still is not completely independent place. So a lot of the films reflect issues of race and ethnicity."
For more read “ How the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival Could Save the Caribbean Film Industry ”
Diaspora is the new synthesis of the world today. Relabel the "immigration problem" and call it "diaspora". Numerous diasporas have allowed the people of the Caribbean to settle in and to send out new waves of diaspora which can, in the guise of art, unite the world. T + T is the micro model of this vision which is taking tangible shape throughout the world today. Looking at The Caribbean, immediately apparent and a topic of discussion in the society itself, in the music, art and in the film languages, is Diaspora. The entire human race is represented here as a product of Diaspora, not immigrants, but citizens of a society of people in Diaspora.
Even the country's genius- created instrument, Pan, or the steel drum, the only new musical instrument created in the 20th century, is a subject of study in most university music schools and has more adherents and orchestras abroad than in the country itself. During Carnival, 1,000 steel drum musicians converge here from all over the world where a giant parade and competition called Panorama transform T&T into a musical paradise. You cannot imagine the transformative power of a steel band orchestra unless you experience it first hand. Even listening to Cuban salsa, one can frequently hear the sound of steel drums.
Attempting to explain this phenom, opening night of the festival screened “Pan! Our Music Odyssey” exec produced by French transplant, Jean Michel Gibert, this multi-tiered film, music, live entertainment event is another exportable product of the region, one to be shared worldwide.
The film world here is developing on four levels simultaneously and by design. Inclusive of British, French, Dutch and Spanish colonial and slave-trading traditions, indigenous American, African, Indian, Arab and Asian diaspora communities here are working to unite film education, festival, production and distribution not only at home but throughout the region of the Caribbean nations, already represented in The United Nations in a 15 member Caribbean Community political consortium called Caricom.
T+Tff has formed alliances with TribeCa Film Institute, Eave (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs), Acp (EU's African Caribbean Pacific Fund for Arts and Culture), the European Union's cultural subsidy arm (separate from Eurimages), World Cinema Fund, Curacao Film Festival which is itself an extension of the Rotterdam Film Festival. The industry has come to t+tff to tell of subsidies and coproduction opportunities, possibilities for marketing and distribution in the global marketplace, and to give immersion workshops on filmmaking and film criticism.
Acp has a fund of €13 million to grant in all areas of culture to reinforce and support access to markets, improve the regulatory environment and reduce unemployment, and it grants €10 million of this to cinema and the audiovisual sector. Acp's Director, Mohamed Ben Shabbaz gave an award to the feature which best epitomizes cultural diversity. On presenting the prize, he reiterated their motto, "no future without culture" and on behalf of its membership of 79 countries and their 800 million people, he gave the prize to the feature Stone Street, and encouraged filmmakers to submit projects which are eligible if produced by any member of the Caribbean, African and Latin American nations included in the Acp for grants.
Another incentive to make movies in this untapped and untrammeled region of the world is the 36% return on monies spent on production in Trinidad.
Because Martinique and Guadaloupe are French, they can access the French Cnc production subsidies and coproductions with them can share this.
All this bounty would stir me as a filmmaker anywhere in the world to hasten to find coproducers in these countries to make a movie out of the myriad of stories that exist here. Guadaloupe novelist Simone Schwartz-Bart's great novel written in collaboration with her husband, Andre Schwartz-Bart ( Last of the Just), A Woman Called Solitude, one of the most emotionally moving novels I 've ever read, has yet to be made into a movie. Dominican writer Jean Rhys 'Wide Saragossa Sea, the prequel to Bronte's Jane Eyre, has been made twice since 1993 but still has not had enough impact. Perhaps it's time for a remake. Or how about the novels of Jamaica Kincaid or Alejo Carpentier?
In addition to the productive work at T+Tff, sharing business ideas and sharing the visions of over 120 feature-length and short films, there is the added bonus of being in one of the most amazing spots on earth. Island people, isolated from mainland civilizations and united among themselves by the water which also separates them, opened their arms and invited the international film world to join them for a few days celebrating life. They have shared the natural beauty and the music and other arts of their island paradise.
And imagine the food-- a mix, (like the people themselves) of Caribbean, Indian, Asian, Arabian and African cuisine, all so fresh and with a homemade touch which rivals your own home cooking. Bake and Shark, a deep fried pita stuffed with delicious fresh and tender shark, or Roti, a variation of a curry dish found in India, Doubles, another street food well loved by the people.
The economy, supported by its oil industry which contributes 60% to the Gnp, (though 40% is Bp), a cause for some political dissension, does not need to rely on tourism for its sustenance. And though this is the wealthiest of all the Caricom countries because of its oil and natural gas, it still has the ubiquitous poverty seen worldwide including in our own United States of America. It is by no means perfect, but...
The awards themselves reflect the complexity of a society which, when its own special voice is raised in unison by its citizens, has the grandly unique and harmonic sound of the music of its own steel band.
"Behavior," (Isa: Latido) an incisive portrait of the life of an at-risk boy in Havana, claimed the top prize at the trinidad+tobago film festival. Directed by Cuba’s Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Behavior beat out four other films competing for the Best Narrative Feature prize at the Festival. Behavior was also a favorite with the Festival’s youth jury, who awarded the film a special mention.
The youth jury gave its top prize to a Brazilian film, the charming Lgbt-themed coming-of-age drama "The Way He Looks," directed by Daniel Ribeiro. Its Isa, Films Boutique has, since its debut in Berlin 2014, licensed it to U.S. -Strand Releasing, France -Pyramide Distribution, Germany -Salzgeber & Co. Medien Gmbh, Hong Kong (China) -Cinehub, Benelux -ABC - Cinemien,Norway -Filmhuset Gruppen As & Europafilm As, Poland -Tongariro Releasing, Spain -Surtsey Films, Switzerland -Agora Films, Taiwan -Maison Motion, Inc., U.K. - Peccadillo Pictures
Best Documentary Feature was awarded to a film from the Dominican Republic, Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada’s "You and Me (Tu y yo)," an intimate look at the complex relationship between an elderly woman and her domestic servant.
A documentary was also the winner of the Best Trinidad and Tobago Feature Film—Miquel Galofré’s "Art Connect,"an uplifting crowd-pleaser featuring young people from the urban community of Laventille in east Port of Spain, whose lives are transformed when they undertake an art project.
The inaugural Amnesty International Human Rights Prize went to "The Abominable Crime," Micah Fink’s touching, troubling reflection of the struggle gays and lesbians in Jamaica face to achieve their rights.
*Note: "Behavior" is Cuba's Official Submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award and "The Way He Looks" is Brazil's Official Submission in the same category.
Here is a full list of the awards:
Best Narrative Feature: Behavior, Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Cuba Best Narrative Feature, Special Mention: Sensei Redemption, German Gruber, Curaçao Best Documentary Feature: You and Me, Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada, Dominican Republic Best Documentary Feature, Special Mention: Hotel Nueva Isla, Irene Gutiérrez and Javier Labrador, Cuba Best Short Film, Narrative: Bullock, Carlos Machado Quintela, Cuba Best Short Film, Documentary: ABCs, Diana Montero, Cuba Best Trinidad and Tobago Feature: Art Connect, Miquel Galofré Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Narrative: Dubois, Kaz Ové Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Narrative, Special Mention: Noka: Keeper of Worlds, Shaun Escayg Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Documentary: Field Notes, Vashti Harrison Best New Media Film: They Say You Can Dream a Thing More Than Once: Versia Harris, Barbados Amnesty International Human Rights Prize: The Abominable Crime, Micah Fink, Jamaica/USA Bptt Youth Jury Prize for Best Film: The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro, Brazil Bptt Youth Jury Prize for Best Film, Special Mention: Behaviour, Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Cuba People’s Choice Award, Best Narrative Feature: A Story About Wendy 2, Sean Hodgkinson, T&T People’s Choice Award, Best Documentary Feature: Art Connect, Miquel Galofré, T&T People’s Choice Award, Best Short Film: Flying the Coup, Ryan Lee, T&T Rbc: Focus Filmmakers’ Immersion Pitch Prize: Raisa Bonnet, Puerto Rico Rbc: Focus Filmmakers’ Immersion Pitch Prize, Special Mention: Davina Lee, St Lucia Best Student at the Film Programme of the University of the West Indies: Romarlo Anderson Edghill Best Trinidad and Tobago Film in Development: Rajah: The Story of Boysie Singh, Christian James...
This country is one of 28 Caribbean islands which share a tropical paradise of beaches and forests, and yet each is unique with its own mix of music and people living on islands surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean. The collective intelligence of indigenous, African, Indian, Chinese, Syrian, Spanish, French and British traditions is being redefined by a new generation, developing its métier of cinema, new and social media here.
The Caribbean multiplicity of island cultures, T&T's proximity to Latin America along the western Caribbean coastline and how the film festival's founder and director Bruce Paddington sees the film industry developing from this pivotal point inspires everyone who attends this festival. The staff, including creative director Emilie Upczak, and the entire staff and the volunteers have improved the festival programming and the business activities of the filmmakers.
"When you talk about Caribbean films, you have to be aware of the history of its diversity," said festival founder Bruce Paddington. "When people ask me about the Caribbean aesthetic, I have to, in many ways start talking about history and colonialism, and neo-colonialism and issues of slavery and pirates and languages. You have the French, Spanish, English and the Dutch. The Caribbean still is not completely independent place. So a lot of the films reflect issues of race and ethnicity."
For more read “ How the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival Could Save the Caribbean Film Industry ”
Diaspora is the new synthesis of the world today. Relabel the "immigration problem" and call it "diaspora". Numerous diasporas have allowed the people of the Caribbean to settle in and to send out new waves of diaspora which can, in the guise of art, unite the world. T + T is the micro model of this vision which is taking tangible shape throughout the world today. Looking at The Caribbean, immediately apparent and a topic of discussion in the society itself, in the music, art and in the film languages, is Diaspora. The entire human race is represented here as a product of Diaspora, not immigrants, but citizens of a society of people in Diaspora.
Even the country's genius- created instrument, Pan, or the steel drum, the only new musical instrument created in the 20th century, is a subject of study in most university music schools and has more adherents and orchestras abroad than in the country itself. During Carnival, 1,000 steel drum musicians converge here from all over the world where a giant parade and competition called Panorama transform T&T into a musical paradise. You cannot imagine the transformative power of a steel band orchestra unless you experience it first hand. Even listening to Cuban salsa, one can frequently hear the sound of steel drums.
Attempting to explain this phenom, opening night of the festival screened “Pan! Our Music Odyssey” exec produced by French transplant, Jean Michel Gibert, this multi-tiered film, music, live entertainment event is another exportable product of the region, one to be shared worldwide.
The film world here is developing on four levels simultaneously and by design. Inclusive of British, French, Dutch and Spanish colonial and slave-trading traditions, indigenous American, African, Indian, Arab and Asian diaspora communities here are working to unite film education, festival, production and distribution not only at home but throughout the region of the Caribbean nations, already represented in The United Nations in a 15 member Caribbean Community political consortium called Caricom.
T+Tff has formed alliances with TribeCa Film Institute, Eave (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs), Acp (EU's African Caribbean Pacific Fund for Arts and Culture), the European Union's cultural subsidy arm (separate from Eurimages), World Cinema Fund, Curacao Film Festival which is itself an extension of the Rotterdam Film Festival. The industry has come to t+tff to tell of subsidies and coproduction opportunities, possibilities for marketing and distribution in the global marketplace, and to give immersion workshops on filmmaking and film criticism.
Acp has a fund of €13 million to grant in all areas of culture to reinforce and support access to markets, improve the regulatory environment and reduce unemployment, and it grants €10 million of this to cinema and the audiovisual sector. Acp's Director, Mohamed Ben Shabbaz gave an award to the feature which best epitomizes cultural diversity. On presenting the prize, he reiterated their motto, "no future without culture" and on behalf of its membership of 79 countries and their 800 million people, he gave the prize to the feature Stone Street, and encouraged filmmakers to submit projects which are eligible if produced by any member of the Caribbean, African and Latin American nations included in the Acp for grants.
Another incentive to make movies in this untapped and untrammeled region of the world is the 36% return on monies spent on production in Trinidad.
Because Martinique and Guadaloupe are French, they can access the French Cnc production subsidies and coproductions with them can share this.
All this bounty would stir me as a filmmaker anywhere in the world to hasten to find coproducers in these countries to make a movie out of the myriad of stories that exist here. Guadaloupe novelist Simone Schwartz-Bart's great novel written in collaboration with her husband, Andre Schwartz-Bart ( Last of the Just), A Woman Called Solitude, one of the most emotionally moving novels I 've ever read, has yet to be made into a movie. Dominican writer Jean Rhys 'Wide Saragossa Sea, the prequel to Bronte's Jane Eyre, has been made twice since 1993 but still has not had enough impact. Perhaps it's time for a remake. Or how about the novels of Jamaica Kincaid or Alejo Carpentier?
In addition to the productive work at T+Tff, sharing business ideas and sharing the visions of over 120 feature-length and short films, there is the added bonus of being in one of the most amazing spots on earth. Island people, isolated from mainland civilizations and united among themselves by the water which also separates them, opened their arms and invited the international film world to join them for a few days celebrating life. They have shared the natural beauty and the music and other arts of their island paradise.
And imagine the food-- a mix, (like the people themselves) of Caribbean, Indian, Asian, Arabian and African cuisine, all so fresh and with a homemade touch which rivals your own home cooking. Bake and Shark, a deep fried pita stuffed with delicious fresh and tender shark, or Roti, a variation of a curry dish found in India, Doubles, another street food well loved by the people.
The economy, supported by its oil industry which contributes 60% to the Gnp, (though 40% is Bp), a cause for some political dissension, does not need to rely on tourism for its sustenance. And though this is the wealthiest of all the Caricom countries because of its oil and natural gas, it still has the ubiquitous poverty seen worldwide including in our own United States of America. It is by no means perfect, but...
The awards themselves reflect the complexity of a society which, when its own special voice is raised in unison by its citizens, has the grandly unique and harmonic sound of the music of its own steel band.
"Behavior," (Isa: Latido) an incisive portrait of the life of an at-risk boy in Havana, claimed the top prize at the trinidad+tobago film festival. Directed by Cuba’s Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Behavior beat out four other films competing for the Best Narrative Feature prize at the Festival. Behavior was also a favorite with the Festival’s youth jury, who awarded the film a special mention.
The youth jury gave its top prize to a Brazilian film, the charming Lgbt-themed coming-of-age drama "The Way He Looks," directed by Daniel Ribeiro. Its Isa, Films Boutique has, since its debut in Berlin 2014, licensed it to U.S. -Strand Releasing, France -Pyramide Distribution, Germany -Salzgeber & Co. Medien Gmbh, Hong Kong (China) -Cinehub, Benelux -ABC - Cinemien,Norway -Filmhuset Gruppen As & Europafilm As, Poland -Tongariro Releasing, Spain -Surtsey Films, Switzerland -Agora Films, Taiwan -Maison Motion, Inc., U.K. - Peccadillo Pictures
Best Documentary Feature was awarded to a film from the Dominican Republic, Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada’s "You and Me (Tu y yo)," an intimate look at the complex relationship between an elderly woman and her domestic servant.
A documentary was also the winner of the Best Trinidad and Tobago Feature Film—Miquel Galofré’s "Art Connect,"an uplifting crowd-pleaser featuring young people from the urban community of Laventille in east Port of Spain, whose lives are transformed when they undertake an art project.
The inaugural Amnesty International Human Rights Prize went to "The Abominable Crime," Micah Fink’s touching, troubling reflection of the struggle gays and lesbians in Jamaica face to achieve their rights.
*Note: "Behavior" is Cuba's Official Submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award and "The Way He Looks" is Brazil's Official Submission in the same category.
Here is a full list of the awards:
Best Narrative Feature: Behavior, Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Cuba Best Narrative Feature, Special Mention: Sensei Redemption, German Gruber, Curaçao Best Documentary Feature: You and Me, Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada, Dominican Republic Best Documentary Feature, Special Mention: Hotel Nueva Isla, Irene Gutiérrez and Javier Labrador, Cuba Best Short Film, Narrative: Bullock, Carlos Machado Quintela, Cuba Best Short Film, Documentary: ABCs, Diana Montero, Cuba Best Trinidad and Tobago Feature: Art Connect, Miquel Galofré Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Narrative: Dubois, Kaz Ové Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Narrative, Special Mention: Noka: Keeper of Worlds, Shaun Escayg Best Trinidad and Tobago Short Film, Documentary: Field Notes, Vashti Harrison Best New Media Film: They Say You Can Dream a Thing More Than Once: Versia Harris, Barbados Amnesty International Human Rights Prize: The Abominable Crime, Micah Fink, Jamaica/USA Bptt Youth Jury Prize for Best Film: The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro, Brazil Bptt Youth Jury Prize for Best Film, Special Mention: Behaviour, Ernesto Daranas Serrano, Cuba People’s Choice Award, Best Narrative Feature: A Story About Wendy 2, Sean Hodgkinson, T&T People’s Choice Award, Best Documentary Feature: Art Connect, Miquel Galofré, T&T People’s Choice Award, Best Short Film: Flying the Coup, Ryan Lee, T&T Rbc: Focus Filmmakers’ Immersion Pitch Prize: Raisa Bonnet, Puerto Rico Rbc: Focus Filmmakers’ Immersion Pitch Prize, Special Mention: Davina Lee, St Lucia Best Student at the Film Programme of the University of the West Indies: Romarlo Anderson Edghill Best Trinidad and Tobago Film in Development: Rajah: The Story of Boysie Singh, Christian James...
- 10/27/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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