Great review for “Robot Stories and More Screenplays”

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California Bookwatch has reviewed Greg Pak’s “Robot Stories and More Screenplays.” Here’s an excerpt:

It’s not only the futuristic settings which link these plots: it’s an exploration of the problems between men and machines, the created and the natural worlds, which creates such a compelling dynamic in these motion pictures. Small black and white shots pepper the account, but it’s the screenplays which are the heart of this fine title.

Click here for the full blurb.
Click here to buy the book from Amazon.com | Click here to buy the book from Immedium.com

“All Amateur Ecstasy” hits the AtomFilms charts yet again

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All Amateur EcstasyGreg Pak’s short film “All Amateur Ecstasy” is once again climbing the charts at AtomFilms.com — ranked second among the site’s most viewed “Extreme” films. Click here to watch the film online. WARNING: Not for children and not work safe!
The screenplay for “All Amateur Ecstasy” has been published as part of the “Robot Stories and More Screenplays” paperback, now on sale at Amazon.com.

The PULSE interviews Pak about Planet Hulk

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The PULSE at Comicon.com has interviewed Greg Pak about plans for the next arc of “Planet Hulk.” An excerpt:

THE PULSE: What do you find the most fascinating about this character? What can you just wrap your mind around and be inspired for hours and hours to write by?
PAK: The Hulk has tremendous attitude and enormous confidence, which makes him hugely fun to read and write. I find myself thinking about that line from “The Hustler” when Paul Newman says, “I’m the best there is. And even if you beat me, I’m still the best.” That’s the Hulk all over — incredible arrogance and confidence, yet underneath it all is this semi-conscious awareness that the world is going to do him wrong.

Click here for the full interview.

Dynamic Forces interviews Greg Pak

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Toney Tapia of Dynamic Forces has interviewed Greg Pak about his comics work. Here’s a taste:

TT: So you’re an award winning director and a writer for comics! Which do you find to be a little more tough to work on?
GP: Writing for comics is actually more demanding than writing for film. In a screenplay, I’d never go into minute detail about set design or framing or camera movement. Those are details that may be implied in a screenplay, but they’re hammered out in preproduction or on set in hands-on work between the director, the creative crew, and the cast. But in comics, much of the direction needs to happen at the script stage. So my comic scripts tend to be much more dense than my screenplays, with detailed, panel-by-panel descriptions of everything on the page.
But “directing” a comic book is admittedly less stressful than directing a film. Both undertakings require the marshalling of physical and creative resources. But making films has required me to do everything from help build a robot, dodge thunderstorms, ride cross country on a snow machine, and herd mice. Compared to that, making comics is positively civilized.

Click here to read the full interview.

David Libby talks score — an interview with the composer for the “Planet Hulk Trailer”

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Pakbuzz Q&A is proud to present an exclusive, in-depth interview with David Libby, the composer of the scores for the Greg Pak films “Happy Hamptons Holiday Camp for Troubled Couples,” “Super Power Blues,” and “Planet Hulk Trailer.”
[UPDATE: Libby has launched BroadwayDemo.com, a demo and website production service for musical theater actors — click here to visit the site.]
Greg Pak: We’ve worked together on three different short film projects now, but I’m realizing I have no idea how you work your magic — I email you video and tell you some of my ideas for the score and you email me back links to gorgeous music. Walk us through the process a bit. First, the technicalities — what kind of equipment and computer system do you use? Is all the music generated through synthesizers and computers or do you do any live performances? And how do you keep the neighbors from calling the cops with noise complaints?
David Libby: I have very cool neighbors, no doubt! I’m always playing piano and my wife is a singer, and we’ve never had a complaint. Actually, we’ve even gotten requests to play louder because they like it! The only down side to this is that I can never move.
Once I get the video file you email me, I import it into music production software called Sonar. I have a Kurzweil PC88 keyboard which is connected to my computer, but I don’t use the keyboard for sounds. I only use it to trigger sounds that are generated on my computer by a software sampler called Gigastudio, which produces the most realistic sounds currently on the market. So, when I play my keyboard it triggers sounds that are generated on my computer by Gigastudio, and those sounds are recorded on my computer by Sonar. I also use Reason and Acid type loops for sound generation, and Sibelius for music notation when I want to write something out.

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Interview with AAFilmLab president Matte Chi

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Greg Pak was one of the founding members of the Workshop, an Asian American filmmaking group that was recently renamed the AAFilmLab. Yesterday the AAFilmLab announced that the general deadline for signing up for its 72 Hour Film Shootout has been extended until June 8 (receive by date). For more information about the Shootout, read on for Pak’s interview with AAFilmLab President Matte Chi. And don’t forget the 72 Hour Shootout Launch Party in NYC on June 9, where the AAFilmLab will give away film supplies as well as “Robot Stories” posters and DVDs donated by Pak.
GP: Tell us who should enter the 72 Hour Film Shootout and why.
MC: This contest is open especially to any and all filmmakers on the brink – for anyone who’s looking for a reason or excuse (if need be) to make a short film. As a novice myself, I needed something to push me into making a film and the Asian American Film Lab did exactly that. The AAFilmLab gave me a goal to work towards and the support I needed to take the first step. The experience of shooting my first short film was so incredibly fullfilling that I changed my career and decided to devote my time entirely towards creating more work.

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Comic Book Commentary likes “Battlestar Galactica” #0

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An excerpt (WARNING: SMALL SPOLIERS!):

Pak captures the relationship between Commander William Adama and President Laura Roslin. He shows the conflict between Starbuck and William Adama as the former seeks forgiveness from the latter. What’s brilliant is how he is able to capture the silence that Wm. Adama uses to communicate. He further develops Wm. Adama’s question, “Why does humanity deserve to survive?” Plus, he creates a story hook that made me want issue one even more.

Click here for the full review.

Rave review from BrokenFrontier for “Battlestar Galactica” #0

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BrokenFrontier.com loves “Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with art by Nigel Raynor. An excerpt from Jason Berek-Lewis’s rave review:

Greg Pak’s script sizzles with raw emotion. … Each character speaks and acts in 100% accordance with what we have seen on the screen, giving Pak’s writing an unmistakable authenticity. Where the script absolutely excels is in giving each character their own unique voice, so much so that I actually “heard” the actors’ voices reading the dialogue.

Click here to read the full review.
“Battlestar Galactica” #0 is on sale now in comic book stores everywhere. “Battlestar Galactica” #1 ships in July. Contact your comic book store today to reserve your copy. Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.

Newsarama loves “Incredible Hulk” #95

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Kevin Huxford from Best Shots crew at Newsarama has tagged “Planet Hulk” as “the most awesome Hulk story I have read since the days of Peter David.” An excerpt from his review of “Incredible Hulk” #95, written by Greg Pak with interior art by Carlo Pagulayan and Marshall Rogers:

The final issue of the first act of Planet Hulk comes to a close, and what a fun ride it has been so far. Through the course of this issue Greg Pak manages to pack (no pun intended) in so much information, action and intrigue that a second reading of the first four issues are a must for anyone who is enjoying this titles.
…
A great end to the first part of a Hulk mega-event. Looking for some classic Hulk action, with no punches pulled, then look no further. Planet Hulk is a success.

Visit Newsarama to read the full review.
“Incredible Hulk” #95 is on sale now in comic book stores everywhere. And don’t miss “Giant Size Hulk” #1 (June 21) in which Banner appears for the first time on Planet Hulk, and “Incredible Hulk” #96 (July 5), which continues the saga with “Planet Hulk: Anarchy,” Part One.
Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.