I haven’t blogged for a while, so I thought I’d at least give an update on all of my projects for those of you who care…

ANDREW HENRY’S MEADOW is my main focus right now. I will be directing from a story by Adam and Zach Braff. Screenwriter Adam Braff has recieved notes from me, from Zach and from the producers. The goal is to turn in a final “director approved” draft to the studio this week. Then we hope to get the studio approval. If that happens, we green light production and begin actually talking about making the movie.

In the meantime, I have enjoyed sketching some rough storyboards and visual ideas on my own. This is going to be a COOL movie!

ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH is in production at Rainmaker Animation in Vancouver. I am co-writer with director Tony Leech. Tony is now set up in Vancouver and they have started modeling and animatics. “Hoodwinked” Producer Preston Stutzman is also commuting between Rainmaker and Blue Yonder Films in L.A. Tony has retooled the first act with some major changes that all producers and creatives are discussing via phone and internet. I hope to take a field trip up to see the studios soon.

The other exciting process that has begun is casting. There are some great names on these lists! Can’t say them right now because everything is speculative. But I’ll let you know.

HOODWINKED 2 is in production. I am co-writer with my original writers, Todd Edwards and Tony Leech. Director Mike Disa is storyboarding and overseeing the modeling of new sets and characters. I have seen some of the visuals and they are spectacular. Among the first images are the temple of the “Sisters of the Hood” (mentioned in the first film) and a major opening action scene involving Granny, Wolf, Twitchy and a motorcycle.

FANTASY PROJECT – I’m keeping this under wraps for now, but I will be screenwriting and directing this major live action FX film for Weinstein Company. We are discussing the details now. My wife Vicki co-wrote the story with me and it’s been ten years in the making. I’ve been developing a lot of visuals on this with other artists, since it is a world of creatures made from scratch. This is an exciting one to finally see come to life. The other significant player in this project is producer Paul Schiff. He’s made movies like “Young Guns,” “Epic Movie” and “Rushmore,” and he’s very enthusiastic about this film.

SCI-FI COMEDY PROJECT – Another one under wraps right now, but a labor of love for all the geeks out there. If you love “Star Wars,” “Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy” and “Galaxy Quest,” then you’ll love the tasty smoothy I am making with all of these in a blender… with a dash of “Office Space.” This live action comedy is extremely fun and one of the funniest things I have in the works. It looks very probable that I will be writing and directing this one for Weinstien Company as well. This one is also being produced by Paul Schiff.

MUSICAL COMEDY PROJECT – This one is very close to being pitched to studios with a major producer attached… but it’s best kept secret for now. I am co-writing with Josh Greene, with Josh to direct. He will also be writing the music. This is a great concept about a very funny (and real) musical niche in America. The research alone for this one has been entertaining, to say the least!

I should also add a shout out to my brother Todd. Along with his writing partner Peter Bedgood, he is writing two projects for Weinstein: One is an animated film, and then Todd will be writing and directing a major live action fantasy film he’s created. Again, I can’t say more until the deal is announced. But it’s great to know that all three of us from “Hoodwinked” are taking off in our own directions.

That’s what’s percolating. Many other interesting “what-if’s” are in the works too… pitches and meetings here and there. As soon as they boil to the surface, I’ll mention them here. What can I say, I like to keep a lot of plates spinning.