-
on September 7, 2011
Jeff Katz
Posted project update #3WRESTLING REVOLUTION PROJECT - TICKETS ON SALE!!!
Post CommentHuge thanks to our Kickstarter backers. We would never be here without you. We look forward to seeing those of you who pledged - and earned free admission - at the production in October. Don't forget to visit WrestlingRevolutionProject.com for the latest WRP news.
Tell your friends to get their tickets at Stubmatic.com/TheWRProject.
Born on Twitter, fueled on Kickstarter and built in Hollywood, the WRESTLING REVOLUTION PROJECT is a 13-episode seasonal concept built on wrestling storytelling with a complete three act narrative structure. Cutting the cord completely from the modern wrestling industry chronology, it's the launch of a new universe with new characters and new rules. WRP aims to combine modern, relevant themes with compelling in-ring storytelling to create a unique wrestling television experience. WRESTLING REVOLUTION PROJECT will be distributed in both physical and digital media by Image Entertainment throughout North America.
Wrestling fans can officially join the cast of WRP by being a part of the production process on October 11, 12 and 13 in Hollywood, CA. Joining the WRP production will offer fans a unique, one of a kind experience that lifts the curtain on the processes behind both independent filmmaking and professional wrestling. Attendees are not just members of the audience but instead are fully functioning members of the WRP cast, gaining weekly on-screen credit for their participation and contribution towards the product.
Additionally, attendees will be front and center in an intimate setting to watch acclaimed performers like Prince Devitt, Colt Cabana, MVP, Kenny Omega and many more as they show their skill inside the squared circle.
WRP will offer single day tickets in both general admission and VIP section form, as well as package deals for all three days of production. Attendees will be notified of the production location privately via email.
By purchasing a ticket, attendee allows WRP to use his/her image on screen and in any/all promotional materials. WRP reserves the right to refuse admission or reject for bad behavior (ticket price will be fully refunded if so).
For more information visit: wrestlingrevolutionproject.com or on Twitter at: @TheWRProject
-
on August 4, 2011
Jeff Katz
Posted project update #2Wrestling Revolution Project signs distribution pact
Post CommentFrom VARIETY on 7/15/11:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118039929
What started out as frustration has evolved into a business.
Jeff Katz, a former Fox and New Line exec who worked on "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Freddy vs. Jason," will start lensing "Wrestling Revolution," a 13-episode wrestling series that Image Entertainment has come aboard to distribute via e-tailers like Apple, Amazon, Hulu and Netflix before packaging it as a DVD in North America.
After growing increasingly disgruntled with the plotlines of WWE's TV shows, Katz reached out to wrestling fans on Twitter to gauge whether they'd be willing to help raise $100,000 to fund "WR." Katz hit the mark June 22, receiving coin from 182 contributors after starting to seek pledges May 6 through Kickstarter.com.
Production on the series begins in October in Los Angeles.
Katz says skein will revolve around a group of 22 wrestlers in a storyline with a three-act structure -- something he said has been impossible for WWE to do with its two weekly series, "Monday Night Raw" on USA Network and "Friday Night SmackDown" on Syfy, given that the shows air 52 weeks a year without breaks.
"The actual storytelling and production structure of wrestling today doesn't lend itself to telling complete stories," he said. "People who are willing to sample ("WR") will get something that, at the very minimum, that will have a complete storyline, like a comicbook," said Katz, who has also created graphic novels including "Booster Gold" at DC Comics.
Katz has enlisted music composer Brian Tyler ("Fast Five," "The Expendables") to provide the soundtrack for "Wrestling Revolution," Gary Frutkof ("Shoot Em Up," "Hawaii Five-0," "Prison Break") to handle production design, and Colin Strause, co-founder of f/x shop Hydraulx ("Battle: Los Angeles," "Iron Man 2"), to assist with the visuals.
Project was born "out of my rants on Twitter," Katz said. "I realized that as a longtime wrestling fan, I was watching (WWE's shows) out of force of habit for the past several years."
With a small budget, Katz sees "WR" as more of an indie film than a TV show. The way it will be distribbed will also take advantage of newer digital methods.
"I'll never compete with WWE in terms of their cash reserves, their history or scale," Katz said. "The only way I can do this is by doing something that's creatively different," which has meant "using the tricks that I learned from 12 years in Hollywood."
"I'm not claiming I won't screw it up, but at the minimum it does offer something different from what we get 90% of the time on television."
Katz started his career at Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling, which WWE later purchased, so "anyone who knows me probably will not be surprised that I'm doing this," he said. "I owe my career to wrestling. I'm the guy that had the big Rick Flair and Hulk Hogan belt hanging next to movie posters in my office."
Katz thinks he already has an audience for "WR."
"Wrestling fans are a unique group in that they're hard to get to watch shows before or after wrestling. But if it's wrestling stuff, they're hardcore."
-
on August 4, 2011Funded!
Wrestling Revolution by Jeff Katz
A grand experiment using social media to reinvent the wrestling storytelling model.
-
100% funded $100,480 pledged
- 187 backers
- Funded Aug 04, 2011
-
-
on June 21, 2011
Jeff Katz
Posted project update #1Wrestling Revolution Is Funded!
Post CommentI'm thrilled to report that the Wrestling Revolution project is now fully funded. Suffice it to say, huge thanks must be given to everyone for their support, be it financial or emotional.
The Wrestling Revolution project has officially entered pre-production with a planned start for late 2011 in Los Angeles, California. We will be making another major announcement shortly that should further inform exactly what we're going for with this project.
We are very much approaching this from an independent filmmaking perspective, which should hopefully result in something unique to the current wrestling scene. At the very minimum - win or lose - our viewers will be guaranteed a complete three-act pro wrestling storytelling narrative. A full journey for their time and money. That's the aim.
Please don't hesitate to contact us directly at wrestlingrevolutionproject@gmail.com
We look forward to having you take this ride with us.
Best,
Jeff Katz
-
on May 24, 2011
Jeff Katz
commented on a projectThanks for the support guys!
-
on May 6, 2011
Jeff Katz launched a project
Wrestling Revolution by Jeff Katz
A grand experiment using social media to reinvent the wrestling storytelling model.
- $100,000 funding goal
- 08/04/2011 Funding Ended
Jeff Katz
Los Angeles, CA
I'm a former VP of Production at 20th Century Fox and New Line Cinema. My films have grossed over half a billion dollars in worldwide box office with credits including SNAKES ON A PLANE, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, FREDDY VS. JASON and SHOOT 'EM UP. I... view more
