Videogames were a part of Writer-Director Frank Michels’ life
since the release of the Atari 2600. “I’ve grown up with
videogames,” says Michels, “I’ve watched them grow
in scope and complexity and turn into a true form of immersing entertainment,
a form of entertainment that can completely take you away, so to speak.”
After finishing his third feature-length screenplay, Michels was deciding
what his fourth screenplay should be about when something unusual happened.
He woke up on the morning of March 13, 2002, after having the most incredible
dream. “I went right to the computer and created a three page
outline. This outline was the basis for THE CONTROLLER,” recounts
Michels, “That was really quite an amazing experience.”
“At the time, I had just purchased an Xbox videogame console,
which blew me away. I knew they had an online service in the works,
called Xbox Live; it wasn’t available yet, but it sounded awesome.
So, I was very much looking forward to the online experience. And,
I guess those thoughts were planted into my head before I went to
sleep.”
Michels finished the completed first draft of THE CONTROLLER in February
2003. “Writing THE CONTROLLER was a joy for me, because I knew
I was working on a story that was unique and had never been done before,”
says Michels. “It had the criteria that I enjoy most in movies
- a futuristic setting, with plenty of action. And, in the back of
my mind, I knew I was writing a story that could be filmed on an independent
feature film budget.”
In July of 2005, Microsoft/Xbox joined THE CONTROLLER with interest
in establishing a motion picture/videogame entertainment relationship,
and offered corporate placement in the form of Xbox game consoles,
controllers, and headsets for the film’s production. “Corporate
placements with such giants as Xbox, in an independent feature film,
is uncommon,” says Michels. “For a major Corporation to
see the potential in our film, with a first time feature director,
was encouraging and refreshing…I recall the debacle Spielberg
had with M&M’s and E.T.”
“The premise of the film is escapism,” explains Michels.
“It’s a journey to a fantastic place, and sharing an incredible
adventure with a group of people you have never met before, who ultimately
become your friends. It’s about getting away from the daily
grind, getting away from your life for awhile. Everyone needs an escape,
even people whom we perceive to have everything – like a billionaire.
Escapism is universal and reaches all people. That is why we have
videogames, novels, and movies.”
The story follows the main character, William Fence (Bob Rue), as
he is forced to participate in an online videogame, Liberation Force
Earth, after his wife is abducted. Police and federal officers help
William recruit a small team of the best Liberation Force Earth players
from around the country, to help him navigate the game. This team
is a diverse group of individuals, from various ages, races, genders,
and occupations. Michels says, “we wanted to show that not all
gamers are just kids, or society’s rejects, or people who still
live in their parents’ basement. It was fun to break stereotypes,
and we truly enjoyed making heroes and leaders out of characters who
would normally be placed in supporting roles. I think we will surprise
some people, and I believe there will be a hero in this movie for
everyone.”
William’s journey through the world of this fictional videogame,
Liberation Force Earth, with the help of the Armchair Combat Professionals,
has a real action-adventure vibe. Michels goes on to say, “there
are three things that I wanted to accomplish with THE CONTROLLER.
I wanted to make an independent feature film that still has elements
of a summer blockbuster, such as aliens, spaceships, and explosions.
I wanted to create an independent feature film that was uplifting,
and could be seen as a summer movie with the family: a PG or PG-13
rating. And finally, I wanted to make a film that would debunk some
of the negativity that seems to be projected toward videogames. Videogames
are a misunderstood medium and I will say there is much good that
can be taken from playing the games, as is shown in this film.”
The film begins as a straight-up thriller with an ominous phone call
that begins a chain of events, which eventually leads to the main
character, William, being locked in a game room, forced to play his
company’s game for the safe return of his wife. But as the film
introduces the Armchair Combat Professionals, and William begins to
play the game, the story softens and becomes a fun adventure that
will leave everyone with a good feeling of wanting more.
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