We receive a lot of requests to check out people’s independent sci-fi/fantasy projects, some are good, some are great, and some… well, not so much. When we actually do get a look at something that seems just phenomenal, we have to tell you about it. Enter Ascended Masters. Writer/Producer/Director Shawna Baca (Isabel, The Lesson), who was the only person of American Latin descent out of 12,000 filmmakers to be selected for Fox’s Reality show On The Lot, by executive producers Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett is putting together one hell of an ambitious project that combines Wushu martial arts, sci-fi and mythology.
Ascended Masters is a short film based on a feature screenplay trilogy currently in development and stars Wushu World Champions Don Hyun Kiolbassa and Ernesto Matamoros, and features actress Kikey Castillo (The Broken Hearts Club, Maddoggin’). Shawna has put together concept art, storyboards, animatics, stunt choreography, visual effects tests and put a creative team, including co-producers Kaz Kipp and Aaron Sanchez, director of photography Michael Dallatorre (Ghild), VFX supervisor Timothy Cairns, and editor Carey Williams to help her complete her vision.
Check out the posters, synopsis, an exclusive look at some fight and visual effects test videos, and more information about how you can help make this project a reality below!
Synopsis:
Two Ascended Masters from LOTUS descend down to Earth to fight the Dark Brotherhood, who are trying to kill mankind. These immortal warriors must protect the human race before the Dark Brotherhood destroys Earth.
Ascended Masters: Fight/VFX Test
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk7mwhC_7IE[/youtube]
Ascended Masters: Crystal Ball VFX Test
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoD_2cEaC-k[/youtube]
Baca is creating this short film version of Ascended Masters, in the hopes of presenting it to production companies so that she can then embark on the feature film. After seeing some of the concepts, heavy visual effects and how professionally this is being put together, it’s going to be no small task to get this short film made.
Ascended Masters
I encourage you to head over to their Kickstarter page and donate as much as you are able to afford. Every five dollars makes a difference and good sci-fi/fantasy like Ascended Masters deserves the wholehearted support of fans like you and I. If you happen to be in the Hollywood area on March 30th, you can also contribute by purchasing a ticket to their Ascended Masters & “The Pulse” Launch Party, where a large percentage of the ticket price will also help fund the project.
You can also follow the project on Facebook and Twitter to keep tabs on their progress.
We will do our best to keep you up-to-date on Ascended Masters, right here on SciFiMafia.com
