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Slamdance's Mirvish Strikes Videogame Deal

Culver City-based Bugeater Films announced the first Park City deal ever of a videogame based on an independent film. Slamdance co-founder and OPEN HOUSE director Dan Mirvish struck a deal with Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition (GGC) winners Joe Bourrie and Patrick Hackett. Bourrie and Hackett, whose game RUMBLE BOX won this year's award for innovation in programming, will design a web-based java game for Mirvish's real estate musical, OPEN HOUSE, which Wellspring Media recently released on DVD.

"I'm really excited to work with Joe and Patrick on this expansion of the film," said Mirvish. "We've had a huge response to the DVD release, and this will give our audience a whole new way to experience the characters and storyline."

"Bloated Hollywood blockbusters have long gotten their own bloated blockbuster games, so we figured that an indie film should have its own indie game, too," Bourrie added. "We're very excited to work with such an interesting and creative property as OPEN HOUSE."

"This collaboration between gamemakers and filmmakers has always been one of the goals of the Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition. I'm excited that Joe and Patrick will have the opportunity to work with Dan, who's a guiding spirit in the independent entertainment world," said Sam Roberts, manager of the Slamdance GGC.

The game version of OPEN HOUSE will be available within the next two months and will play in a web browser or fullscreen downloadable version. Phoenix-based Bourrie and Hackett, will be the lead programmers on the project with Heidi Bourrie providing art assets. Bourrie and Hackett developed RUMBLE BOX while studying at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Washington. To play RUMBLE BOX, go to www.phackett.com/rumblebox

Since its November DVD release, OPEN HOUSE has generated a wave of fan support, especially through the film's online community at MySpace.com. "The idea of doing a game based on the movie came directly from one of our MySpace fans. We've already had a ton of videos, pictures, podcasts and other contributions that have literally given the film a life of its own, so I already know there's a built-in audience for the game."

OPEN HOUSE, which stars Anthony Rapp (RENT), Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H) and James Duval (DONNIE DARKO), is available now at Best Buy, Amazon, Netflix and Blockbuster. More information on the film can be found www.OpenHouseMovie.com.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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