Press Release from Prelude2Cinema
Cleveland Cinema Czar wants to bring crime here
February 6, 2017- Cleveland, OH - While most people want to ignore or cover up the crime in our city, the newly named Cleveland Cinema Czar sees the benefits of Cleveland being home to "crime." Not real crime but a crime TV series. The Czar is Emmy winning writer Alex P. Michaels, founder of Prelude2Cinema, a company that produces bold, gritty indie movies. Michaels has just begun shooting "Out of Darkness: Cleveland," a sci-fi/ crime series that is a reboot of the first dramatic TV series set and shot in Cleveland.
"Real crime hurts and leaves scars that can never truly heal," says Michaels. " Our show touches on that but it also entertains, creates jobs and an outlet for people who want to make movies here instead of going out to Hollywood. Prelude2Cinema also plans to partner with the police and organizations helping victims to bring awareness and ideals for positive change."
"Out of Darkness: Cleveland" is planned as a series of 90 minute movies. It is the first Screen Actors Guild (SAG) production by Prelude2Cinema and is being shot in 4K. Technology has changed a lot since Michaels first feature in high def video. Netflix was still a DVD service when the original series aired.
Michaels often gets asked if he is working with the Cleveland Film Commissioner. It would seem a natural fit, and he tried but it didn't work. "I wish Ivan the best but he only sees the Hollywood way of doing things while I see the world of cinema changing due to technology, streaming networks and audiences who want more diversity." Michaels believes they have a similar vision but different ways of achieving it. Michaels says the Commissioner mainly sees our city as a location backlot for Hollywood movies. "Ivan has brought a lot of awareness here but we need to show we are more than just a tax credit and a backlot."
"Out of Darkness: Cleveland" is being funded by private investors and local businesses who have been written into the story. The first sponsor of the original series "Lucy's Sweet Surrender" is back along with Holmes Applesauce and Michaels is close to signing a few million dollar companies. SAG actors like Robyn Cohen, known for starring opposite Bill Murray in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and New York actress Soraya Padrao known for performing on stage for the Spanish Repertory Theatre in NYC help raise the production but there is still room for up and coming talent as well.
Prelude2Cinema has also become a private corporation and plans to foster in more productions and support all local filmmakers and offer services to Incoming productions from Hollywood. Prelude2Cinema plans to stay private and is not entertaining going public but building partnerships with other filmmakers like Vitaliy Versace, a Russian born but Cleveland raised filmmaker who is producing "Out of Darkness: Cleveland."
"Prelude2Cinema was into diversity and inclusion before it was cool," says Michaels. Those interested in learning more or joining Prelude2Cinema can follow its Twitter and Facebook links at http://www.prelude2cinema.com
Prelude2Cinema was a past presenter at Accelerator, sponsored by the Cleveland Leadership Center. Michaels and a few actors will have a table there to present an update on their progress and pitches "Bring Crime 2 Cleveland" and "I am Hollywood ." The event is February 22nd. Tickets on sale at https://www.cleveleads.org/Accelerate2017