Press Release from American Original
Los Angeles, CA -- July 29, 2009 -- Studio Executive, Producer and comic book author Jeff Katz (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, FREDDY VS. JASON, SNAKES ON A PLANE, BOOSTER GOLD) will collaborate with Hollywood based Titmouse Animation Inc. (Adult Swim's METALOCALYPSE, GI JOE: RESOLUTE, GUITAR HERO cut scenes) to produce four original animated feature films. Features will be produced by Katz's American Original and Executive Produced by Titmouse's president and co-founder Chris Prynoski.
Katz's American Original was launched in the spring of 2009 as a new entertainment company that will provide content across multiple platforms geared at the growing genre consumer base as well as provide services to genre creators themselves. American Original consists of multiple divisions, including publishing, film & television production and branding all operating under the American Original banner.
The first feature up will be SPECIAL DEAD which plays to Katz's skills in the horror arena. Based on the 2006 horror comedy short written by Jared Tweedie and Thomas Phillips, SPECIAL DEAD -- SOMETIMES HEROES RIDE THE SHORT BUS, tells the story of when a zombie plague infects Camp Special, a dude ranch for the mentally and physically handicapped, a ragtag band of campers and counselors take the fight to the zombies in an effort to survive the night. Described as 'the world's most twisted empowerment story," Katz found the short while an executive at New Line, and flirted with doing it as a live action feature. American Original and Titmouse will get it done as an animated feature film.
Jeff Katz stated, "I'm a longtime fan of alternative animation and am honored to be working with Titmouse, who are really in a class by themselves in this field. I greatly look forward to working with Chris Prynoski, Keith Fay and company to make some eclectic, commercial and -- most of all -- original material. We share the same creative wavelength and desire to try new things, so I'm beyond thrilled to get into some trouble with these guys."
Chris Prynoski, president and co-founder of Titmouse Inc. stated, "we are super psyched to join forces with Jeff Katz on these upcoming four features. Knowing his track record at New Line and Fox and making some of the biggest bad ass films the past few years, we know we are in good hands working with Jeff and everyone at American Original."
