Genre: Science Fiction.
Studio:
Unknown.
Production Company:
Valkrie Films.
Project Phase: Development Hell.
Who's In It:
Unknown.
Who's Making It:
Sharon Higgins (Director); Jean LaMort (Screenwriter); Jim Keller, LeeAnn
Braendlein (Producers).
Premise: When a flap of UFO sightings occur near his sister's hometown, a respected UFO debunker decides to go investigate the matter. But when during the course of his investigation the debunker mysteriously vanishes, his sister must pick up where her brother's research left off - the results of which will change her life forever.
Release Date: Unknown.
Comments: Unknown.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
October 5, 1997... Skeptics producer Jim Keller contacted CA about his project for Valkrie Films, an independent SF film in the $6 million dollar range. Keller provided a great deal of information about the project's direction and storyline, which blends together elements taken from UFO mythology and the action-adventure genre of movies.
"Skeptics is an X-Files-type story. It's basically a UFO thriller but with a strong new age subplot. The script is amazingly well-written and is geared to be enjoyed by everyone, and not just the science fiction community.
"The story centers around Page Smitt, a psychologist whose brother is a respected UFO debunker. When a piece of actual UFO footage that had been shot near her house lands on her brother's desk, he and his unusual circle of friends all end up on her doorstep investigating it. When her brother is abducted by a flying saucer, Page finds her world completely turned upside down...
"I'm not allowed to discuss casting until contracts are signed, but the science fiction community will probably recognize some of the faces we're planning to use. On the whole, we're using unknowns."
"Director Sharon Higgins is currently in post production on the independent film Enchanted which she produced and directed. She is a well-known theatre director in Los Angeles noted for her strong character development in all her work. She is a newcomer to science fiction, and is bringing with her a bright, character-based approach to the film. I'm quite excited to have her on board."
Skeptics wants to be a thinking person's SF film; in fact, one of the points the producers strive to emphasize is that the primary role will be a strong female character, which seems to be something both small- and large-budget films seem to forget exists. With that and the continuing rising power and successes of low-budget independent films, Skeptics hopes to be able to reach an audience that wants to see its storyline on the big screen.
The production will film in Los Angeles and Connecticut, New England, where the bulk of the script's action occurs. Keller is in talks with special effects houses to bring to life the film's mixture of computer-generated and live-action special effects. [Thanks to Jim Keller for the project announcement!]
October 5, 1997... A scoop dated September 9 tells us that actress Mira Furlan (who plays Ambassador
Delenn in the cutting-edge SF series Babylon 5) may be interested in a part in the production. [Scoop
submitted anonymously.]
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