Flying Clocks, Kewl Chops & Boob Rests?

What's this? Another cool sampling of documents from the Frobish papers... man, was Doc ahead of his time or what? Here's the latest Top 10 recent finds people are talking about:

10. Mr. Comfy Pillow

9. TV Glasses

8. Frobish's Flying Clock

7. Kewl Chops

6. Chillax Boob Rest

5. Morning Java

4. The First Water Noodles

3. Shoe-brellas

2. The Toilet Bowl

1. Frobish's Hearing Aids

Very Rare Lobsteroid's Comic book revealed!

Photo courtesy R. Peterson, Lower Level

New Gloucester, ME - Andrew Peterson is an 11 year old middle school student who uncovered a rare comic book while rummaging through some old collectables his family had stored away.  Andrew is the Grandson of "Lobsteroids" creator and writer Jim Peterson.  Rich Peterson, Andrew's father says "I don't really know were the graphic novel came from.  My son picked right up on it when he saw the cover.  I wasn't sure at first, but there it was. The original graphic novel by Lower Level Comics circa 1989."

The Peterson family had no comment regarding the rumors that have spread regarding the authenticity of the find - however, a spokesperson for the family confirmed that the original is on it's way to the experts for analysis.

Photo courtesy R. Peterson, Lower Level

"It don't matter," Robert A. - comic book collector from Westbrook, Maine. "A gem like this is sure to peak everyone's interests. A Lobsteroids comic book from 1989 or 2089 is worth it's weight in gold far as a I'm concerned."

Others agree. This blog reporter surveyed dozens of folks familiar with the story and everyone agrees that this rare Lobsteroids comic book is something to see.  Everyone is looking forward to the first edition reproductions from the Peterson's (hint, hint.)

Photo courtesy R. Peterson, Lower Level

Jim Peterson, his son's and grandson all share artistic talents - and it would not surprise anyone to learn that each or all had their hand in the creation (or re-creation) of the rare gem.  People who have seen the graphic novel say the art is wonderful and that they really appreciated the well written story.  For more information feel free to visit this blog daily for updates!

Photo courtesy R. Peterson, Lower Level

In related news: Animals all over the world seem to be celebrating the Lobsteroids find in Maine.  Oceanographers from all over the globe may visit Maine in the summer to meet the Peterson family - and tour the locations identified in the "Lobsteroids" graphic novel - inlcuding Lobster Central, the Power Plant, the Lab and other important sites.

A spokeswoman for one scientist reported that the finer hotel rooms in the area are sure to be booked ahead in Portland, ME this summer. She told us that many of her colleagues are anticipating having to secure accommodations in advance! This is further effected by the large number of cruise ships expected to port in Portland.  Officials couldn't be reached for any further comments. 

Whale watch tour guide's have been overheard commenting about how excited all the seals and whales seemed to be acting lately. Is this simply a coincidence? You will have to decide for yourself.

Deal in the works - talks continue

Word has it that people from John Lane Films, Lower Level (Jim Peterson) and Autumn Pictures are close to making a deal that would involve the re-release of "Lobsteroids" (1989) in a packaged set that could include several versions of the movie - including Jim Peterson's latest: "Lobsteroids, the Movie? Creator's Cut."

This is very good news for fans of the film who are anxiously waiting to see and hear what Jim Peterson and the Lower Level team has done - and for collectors who want to have a complete library of the 1989 film.

Autumn Pictures and Lower Level have committed to an aggressive marketing and promotional plan for Lobsteroids and look forward to moving forward on the project.

 http://lobsteroids.com
Stay updated on this blog!

How did they do it?

November 6, 2011

Portland, ME - The folks at Lower Level have outdone themselves this year by reproducing an authentic abstract piece of art in the form of "Lobsteroids, the Movie?" - an independent film originally shot in the late 80's and reconstituted over the last eleven months using 20 year old footage and the latest in digital video technology.

The result:
"Lobsteroids, the Movie?" - Creator's Cut.

The film was originally shot and edited in Portland, Maine by filmmaker Jim Peterson and a crew of creative talent in 1989. With the help of Steve Stern and Joe Brien, Jim took a story by Dave Wakefield and created the screenplay for the movie "Lobsteroids."

It's all about music and electrically stimulated lobsters who get doused with massive amounts of steroids and turn into giant, mutated Lobsteroids that are somehow attracted to (enraged by) music.

"Music, music - it's got to have something to do with the music!" - Dr. Walter Frobish

Lobsteroids is filled with local and regional bands that appear in the movie performing their music. The music is interwoven into the story - and creates a unique viewing and listening experience for the audience!

Why re-cut ?

The film was never really finished in the eyes of it's creator, writer and director Jim Peterson. When it was "released" in 1990 - the movie was an underground success, reportedly one of the most requested movie rentals from Videoport in Portland, Maine. "Lobsteroids" was shown at the Maine Festival on the last day as a main event - the large audience watched intently... and at the end stood and applauded to the delight of the entire production staff. However, Jim Peterson knew the film was still missing a few important pieces - and there were a few parts of the movie that needed further attention in post production.

About a decade or so later, one of the original producer's of the movie created a REDUX version on DVD, which is the form most people today would recognize it in... However, not to take anything away from the REDUX version - but it really lost its soul as an abstract piece of art and music. Almost all of the music was removed (they cut down the music videos to shorten the movie) and many of the scenes were re-organized. The biggest issue was that the film's creator Jim Peterson was not involved at all with the re-editing. As a result, none of his "fixes" were addressed and certain scenes were never added.

Present Day

Enter Jim Peterson, his son Rich Peterson and Adobe Creative Suite Professional.

At 19 and just out of High School, Rich worked for his Dad on the original production of Lobsteroids in 1989. Rich had gained valuable experience in film/video as a founding member of the Media Crew at South Portland High School. He shot, edited and recorded voice over’s and music for many local television productions and was introduced to non-linear editing when it first came out. Nearly two decades later Rich and Jim now work together in the television and film industry. They have collaborated on many projects over the last several years including a 13 part television series that is scheduled to be released nationally in 2012.

Having the creator of "Lobsteroids" back in the director's chair and a world of new video technology at their disposal, the team embarked on a wonderful journey back to 1989 - and to now. Rich Peterson acted as 2nd Unit Director and editor on this latest release. He undertook a mind boggling job that entailed digitally capturing footage from a variety of sources and re-creating the movie to it's original form (including all original music/music videos) - and making improvements to the movie as envisioned by Jim Peterson. Major work included storyline fixes, added/deleted scenes, and additional sound effects and completely re-mixed audio.

Okay, finally an answer to "How did they do it?"

Simple, take Jim Peterson's vision and 40 plus years of film-making knowledge, add Rich Peterson's 20 plus years of technical expertise and creative talent - mix with efforts from several key players including Joe Brien (sound recording expert, creative influence and member of the original production staff and associate producer in 1989) and others including Robert Arsenault (Photoshop, after effects, assistant editor), producers Dan Shea & Vincent Bruni and the support and patience of their families and business associates for eleven months - and of course the beloved computers (PC and Mac) and Chris and Walter at I/O computer... chill, stir, and serve - whalla!

It took just about a year from the day the crew started importing and cataloging footage to completing the process of rendering "Lobsteroids, the Movie?" Creator's Cut DVD, with music CD containing 20 songs and Special Features DVD. The importing and editing was done using Adobe Premiere Pro as part of Adobe Creative Suite Professional (CS3, CS4 and CS5.) Digital video (non-linear) editing has come a LONG way since 1989 - and is being used more and more by major production houses. Recently film-makers have used Adobe CS in major motion picture productions including Avatar, Dust to Glory, Superman Returns (for the video capture process), Captain Abu Raed, The Social Network and Monsters.

The folks at Lower Level have successfully saved a truly classic cult film from 1989 that was at risk of being misunderstood, lost and possibly forgotten forever... Phew. Rumor has it there is a VERY LIMITED EDITION in circulation for $30.

Lobsteroids, the Movie? - Creator's Cut, Collector's Edition 3 Disk set - DVD widescreen movie, DVD special features and 20 song CD with never before released tracks, including the Lobsteroids Theme Song and some new stuff (are you Paranoid?) A combo package, DVD's and CD (including singles) will be available after the re-premiere of the movie this winter at retailers and the web via iTunes, Amazon and others.

For more information visit LOBSTEROIDS online.

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Above: Lobster Central (Lower Level world headquarters.)

Above: One of the editing suites

Above: Another shot of one of the editing suites