Part history of and part plea for renewed interest in comic books, this documentary talks with comic creators and retailers about the medium and current state trying to find out what happened to America’s affection for comics.
If you’re in Vancouver, this is your chance to see the documentary Ain’t It Cool News calls “terrifically entertaining”!
LOS ANGELES – Actor Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica, Blade Runner) will make a special appearance for the screening of the documentary short Dig Comics at Los Angeles’ premiere comic book store Meltdown Comics.
Also joining Olmos for a post-screening Q & A will be Miguel Cima, the writer/director/host of Dig Comics along with members of the cast and crew.
Both a love letter to the American art form of comics and a call to arms to increase the dwindling audience, Dig Comics has already won the attention of Edward James Olmos’ company Olmos Productions, which has agreed to produce a long-form full-length Dig Comics. Olmos believes that as a medium, comic books not only increase literacy but also serves as an inspirational learning tool for both students and teachers.
Dig Comics won Best Documentary at the San Diego Comic-Con International: Independent Film Festival, and has been selected for screenings at the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Tucson Film and Music Festival, and the Royal Flush Film Festival in New York City. It also recently screened at the Downtown Film Festival: Los Angeles.
The illegal bootlegger and hardened criminal DaneInLA has posted two more videos to his YouTube account. The two videos capture the entire Q&A panel that immediately followed the screening of Dig Comics at Comic-Con International: Independent Film Festival this past weekend.
So now thanks to modern technology, it’s almost like you were there! Except with poor sound quality and a small yet erratic earthquake no one else but you seems to notice.
The panel consisted of Miguel Cima (host/writer/director), Scott Shaw! (animator and interviewee) and myself (associate producer). Also seen is producer and editor Dirk Van Fleet.
And in case you missed it, here’s the introduction from the panel with a special appearance by Edward James Olmos:
Yesterday’s Comic-Con Film Festival Awards were passed out. Dig Comics won for Best Documentary!
ScreenCrave.com live-blogged the awards show and has a picture of host/creator/writer Miguel Cima giving his acceptance speech. Behind him is Tiina Teal (who played the challenging role of Miguel’s “actual girlfriend” in the movie) and my cybernetic eye.
The screening of Dig Comics was a big success! Thank you to everyone who attended!
We had a special surprise for those that made it*. Edward James Olmos helped us introduce the film. Our friend and audience member Dane Hill was there with his fancy flip camera to record the excitement. So here’s some endorsed bootleg video for you:
If you haven’t heard, Edward James Olmos’ Olmos Productions is partnering with us to expand this into a long-form piece. So, his appearance wasn’t entirely random.
In case you’re among the few that have never heard of him, Edward James Olmos is mostly known for being an incredible actor. Most people know him either from the recent “Battlestar Galactica” TV series on the Sci-Fi Channel or from the classic Blade Runner movie. He’s been nothing but immensely supportive and enthusiastic about Miguel Cima (our host/creator of Dig Comics) and our work.
*Well, OK we ended up having 2 surprises. Stan Lee (spokesman for Marvel Comics and co-creator of Spider-Man) strolled by with a huge mob behind him just minutes before our start time.
Dig Comics host and creator Miguel Cima was interviewed this morning about the documentary, comics and this year’s Comic-Con. San Diego’s NPR affiliate KPBS Radio 89.5 FM broadcast the program “These Days” hosted by Maureen Cavanaugh. The episode also includes interviews with Comic-Con’s Director of Marketing David Glanzer, film critic Beth Accomando and Prof. Rocco Versaci (author of This Book Contains Graphic Language: Comics As Literature).
You can listen to the entire interview online at KPBS.org. Miguel comes in just before the 9-minute mark.
I will be one of the panelists for a brief Q&A panel just prior to the screening of Dig Comics, a documentary I associate produced. Also on the panel will be host/writer/creator Miguel Cima and others from the production staff as yet to be confirmed.
We’re very excited about this world premiere screening taking place at Comic-Con, the biggest annual celebration of comics. I’ve been going to Comic-Con every year since I moved to Los Angeles almost 10 years ago. I think I missed one year because of a show I was in. So it’s particularly exciting for me.
The bad news is that Comic-Con is completely sold-out. However, Comic-Con is selling passes on eBay. If you’re on Twitter, closely follow Comic_Con for notices of new auctions getting posted. They go REALLY fast. Good luck!
If you’ve already got your passes, I’ll see you there!
Dig Comics World Premiere Screening at San Diego Comic-Con International Film Festival
Olmos Productions To Produce Long-Form Follow-Up
LOS ANGELES – The documentary short film Dig Comics has been selected for screening at the Comic-Con International: Independent Film Festival on July 25, 2009. An exclusive question and answer session with director/host Miguel Cima will precede the screening.
Including interviews with Eisner®-winning writer Jeph Loeb (Lost, Heroes) and indie comics visionary Dame Darcy (Meatcake), as well as animation by Scott Shaw! (The Flintstones, Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew) and Emmy®-winning Russell Calabrese (Pinky and the Brain), the documentary challenges America to Dig Comics.
The documentary is hosted by writer/director Miguel Cima, who talks with comic book creators and retailers. He also conducts unique man-on-the-street experiments to find out what happened with America’s affection for comics.
Both a love letter to the American art form of comics and a call to arms to increase the dwindling audience, Dig Comics has already won the attention of Edward James Olmos’ company Olmos Productions, which has agreed to produce a long-form full-length Dig Comics. Olmos believes that as a medium, comic books not only increase literacy but also serves as an inspirational learning tool for both students and teachers.
What: Dig Comics world premiere screening with Q&A
Where: Comic-Con International, San Diego Convention Center, Room 26AB, 111 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
When: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 6:30-7:15 PM
Corey Blake 