Lobsteroids, the movie?: 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.