There's a new spy thriller trilogy that will be shot in L.A. this summer. It stars the DMV area's own Gray Ellis, and L.A. based actor Joe Chacon, and it is being directed by director Shannon C. Lanier.
FLEXX is a film made from a new mold, it's bold, and it's ready for box office gold. You can smell the money it's going to make.
Here's what it's about:
The Year is 2009. Agent Troy Parks and Jeff Lawton work for a Federal Agency called " G.I.F " ( Global Intelligence Force ). For years GIF has trusted Troy Parks as their most reliable field Agent until one dark afternoon in Chicago left his partner Michelle Banks murdered. The Agency had Troy suspended for possible involvement in his partner's death. Five years later Troy is recalled to Los Angeles for another assignment in which a rogue Agent who goes by the code name "FLEXX" has been killing off government officials and various targets within the GIF Agency. The FLEXX case is something that Troy has pursued for years. Agent Parks takes on the assignment in hopes of finding Michelle's murderer, and to bring justice to both his and her name.
I was able to snag interviews with the Director, Shannon C. Lanier, and Co-Writer Ron Palmer:
Q: Will this be your first action thriller film to direct?
Shannon: Yes and No. I have worked as an assistant director on a few projects, acting in them, and have an extensive Martial Arts background that has availed me many opportunities to develop action sequences and aid in the construction and presentation of many of the elements of action thriller projects. I have been very lucky to have worked on many different projects in all genres on both sides of the camera, and I feel that FLEXX is perfect timing to show what we can bring to the table.
Q: What is it like working with two leading LA based Actors, being an East Coast Director? More difficult? Less?
Shannon: I think it is fantastic and an amazing opportunity to show what skills, influences and interpretation that the East Coast can bring to the table. I wouldn’t rate it as more or less difficult. Diversity is everything and this is a perfect model to get a original take on the project.
Q: How do you feel going into a trilogy film like this with the potential it has?
Shannon: I feel very blessed and lucky to have this opportunity. It is not often that you can dedicate yourself to multiple projects and to see a story line develop over the course of multiple films. I am looking forward to us out doing ourselves on the next film and then upping our game again on the next after that.
Q: Can you see yourself directing all three films?
Shannon: Absolutely, I would love the opportunity to do so.
Q: What about the screenplay did you feel most connected with?
Shannon: Who doesn’t like action thrillers and want to make the next great series to stack up against Bond or the Bourne franchise.
Q: Are you confident FLEXX will be a success?
Shannon: With the dedication of the actors and all involved, success is just around the corner.
Q: How do you feel working with Gray Ellis for the first time, who will be starring in the role of Troy Parks, who's also from the same hometown East Coast Industry Market as yourself?
Shannon: I am very excited. Gray and I had been chatting off and on over the past year about his time in LA and the possibility of working together and now the time has come. I couldn’t be more excited.
Q: Can we expect any appearances from yourself in this film?
Shannon: You never know. My first love is acting, but I usually make it a practice to stay behind the camera when I am directing. Then again, I am sure if they need some dude to get blown away at some point, I may throw myself in there for a cameo or something.
Q: Exactly how confident are you that FLEXX will be a hit?
Shannon: As with any project that I have been involved in and many I have seen from others, the only thing that really separates one from the other is drive, determination and insistence on greatness. If you really want it, and are not willing to settle, you can make something great. We have all those tools with FLEXX, so I have no doubts.
Q: When can we expect to see this film?
Shannon: Our hope is to shoot between Summer/Fall of 2013 with the anticipation of a Summer 2014 release.
Q: Is their any website yet?
Shannon: We have established a Facebook page for FLEXX and are in development of a full website for the project which we intend to launch in the coming weeks. Additionally, information about the project and other DARK RONIN Films projects can be found on our website at www.darkroninfilms.com or on IMDB.
Q: Thanks, Shannon. Now we'd like to introduce today, the sensational writer Ron Palmer, the Co-Writer of FLEXX, created by Gray Ellis. Ron, thanks for joining us today to discuss the new spy thriller FLEXX! How are you and what's the latest news on the FLEXX film?
Ron: I'm doing fantastic, William. What's new on FLEXX? Well, it seems to change every day for the better. I met with Gray and Joe last night (Monday) for a post-holiday update session. We're moving forward as planned, and every day is more exciting than the other. I'm really impressed with how quickly Gray was able to get a director attached to the film and proceed with the logistics of film making that are otherwise not my area of expertise. The poor guy went home for Christmas and New Year's Eve, but I don't think he was able to spend much time with friends and family. He was always on the go and coming back to LA probably seems like more of a vacation for him than his trip home.
Oh, please tell me who billed me as a "sensational writer." That person is being very generous and I'd like to hire him or her as my publicist.
Q: How did the FLEXX movie concept come about?
Ron: FLEXX started in Gray's mind. He wanted to create a spy thriller of his own after watching a James Bond movie. Of course, FLEXX will be much different than the typical 007 fare (not that there's anything wrong with that -- those movies are legendary), and the characters and situations are all original. After Gray told me his concept, we brainstormed several ideas over coffee at Starbucks. Some of those ideas stuck and others we tossed aside. We started discussing the characters and what direction we wanted them to head. It was a very organic process.
Q: What do you feel as a writer is your strong point, and how did FLEXX align with your style of screenwriting ?
Ron: Dialogue and story structure are what I think are my main strengths. I'm a big believer that every line of the script should have a purpose, whether it's simply establishing the characters' personalities, getting them from point to point, creating a humorous moment, or setting the stage for a reveal later on. If you're writing dialogue because the characters have to say something, you're just writing unnecessary lines.
How does FLEXX align with my style of screenwriting? I'd have to say the richness of the characters is something I'm excited to explore. The people who've been selected to play the main parts are multi-faceted actors and actresses, and while I'm sure they're focused on living up to the role, it's also important that the roles themselves live up to the talents of the performers.
Q: Is it true that this series was an episodic, but now turned feature film trilogy?
Ron: Yes Sir it is! When Gray and I first discussed the FLEXX concept, we pictured it as a three-season episodic program, with each season lasting between four to six episodes. We diagrammed how we wanted the seasons to develop and had a master plan on what would happen to each character. Of course, that all changed when FLEXX was turned into a movie, and then a set of three movies. It's a challenge I'm looking forward to meeting.
Q: How do you feel going into a trilogy film like this with the potential it has?
Ron: That all depends on the success of the first movie. If what we make doesn't resonate with the audience, the chances of movies two and three being made diminish. Of course, it's our responsibility to make sure the first movie satisfies and wows the audience so there's a demand for the the remaining films. I feel we've got all the tools in place to make the first movie a hit. Hopefully the rest falls into place accordingly.
Q: Can you see yourself being on the writers staff for all three films?
Ron: I hope so. Once I help create something I don't like to leave in the middle of the project. If Gray will have me, I plan on being on board the FLEXX train until the end.
(Note to self: Copyright the term "Flexx Train.") :)
Q: What about the story of FLEXX did you feel most connected with?
Ron: That's a difficult question. I think the Maria Votski character is one I'm really connected with. Lana Gautier, the talented actress who's playing that role, is a close friend of mine, and it's much easier writing that character knowing her strengths and weaknesses, and creating something she can really delve into. At the same time though, I don't want to cheat her by simply making the character a carbon copy of her personality. I want to challenge her as an actress, too.
Q: Are you confident FLEXX will be a success?
Ron: Absolutely! The team we've assembled has the drive and determination to make sure that happens. I'm anxious to get the final draft of the script ready and for shooting to begin.
Q: It is said that Gray Ellis is a very driven individual when it comes to production work. Some would consider him to be a perfectionist. Can you share your experiences working with Gray Ellis thus far as a Producer, Actor and Co-Writer, and could you see yourself working with him in the future?
Ron: Who said that? Gray? I'm pretty sure that's what it says on his business cards. :)
Seriously though, one of the things that's really impressed me about Gray in the short time I've known him is his ability to meet people and make deals happen. That's a skill you expect to find in someone who's more "seasoned" in the Hollywood game, not someone who flew out to Los Angeles less than two years ago with a couple bucks in his pocket and the dream of making movies. Gray has come a long way in this industry in a short amount of time. His future is very bright. And with that said, I most certainly hope to work with Gray many times in the coming years.
Q: What did you feel as a writer, was the hardest part in changing the script from a TV series to a full length movie?
Ron: The most difficult part was taking a concept that was originally supposed to be six one-hour season-one episodes and compacting it into a two hour movie. That alone is not necessarily hard to do, but the time frame we were given was a challenge. Gray and I had less than four days to turn the pilot episode into a working film script. Naturally we were working long nights and early mornings. That script is not our finished product, but it's a tremendous start.
Q: Rumor has it, that this script was re-written from a series to a feature film by you and Gray in less than 48 hours. Is that true?
Ron: Oops, looks like I spoiled this question by answering it above. I said less than four days, but if the word on the street is that it took less than two, then we'll go ahead and go with that story. While we're at it, why don't we also say that Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway were calling us non-stop and begging to be cast. Oh and we wrote the entire script while piloting the Space Shuttle!
Q: When can we expect to see this film?
Ron: Gray and I discussed that last night. I think we're hoping for a Summer 2014 release, with the first trailer available in late Spring or early Summer of this year.
Q: Thank you for taking time out to drop in and answer a few questions, we wish you and the rest of the crew and cast the best with FLEXX, premiering Summer 2014!
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