Read about this in Rue Morgue, unfortunately since it is a "reality" show it'll probably feature more drama than the actual art of creating props but still it'll be interesting to check out.
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/07/15/syfy-greenlights-monster-man-to-series-763313/20110715syfy01/ (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/07/15/syfy-greenlights-monster-man-to-series-763313/20110715syfy01/)
[07/15/11 - 04:29 PM]
Syfy Greenlights "Monster Man" to Series
The six-episode series goes behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's most respected monster prop building workshops.
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[via press release from Syfy]
SYFY GREENLIGHTS "MONSTER MAN" TO SERIES
Six-Episodes Order From Gurney Productions Goes Behind the Scenes of Famed Monster Prop Workshop
NEW YORK - July 15, 2011 - Syfy is expanding its slate of original reality programming by greenlighting Monster Man, a docuseries about a quirky Hollywood creature-making family, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions.
Six one-hour episodes have been ordered from Gurney Productions, the team behind Syfy's exciting new series Haunted Collector.
Monster Man goes behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's most respected monster prop building workshops. For more than thirty years, when studios want a bizarre creature or out-of-this world alien, they've turned to Cleve Hall and his very unique family business. Only the horrifying monsters they build match the craziness of this highly dysfunctional, extremely talented family.
"We are entering the creative world of a very eccentric, artistic family," said Mark Stern. "Cleve and his team will give our viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring monster props, puppets and costume pieces to life. But they're also a family business, so the unusual dynamic between them is half the fun."
Cleve Hall has been in the prop design game since he was a teenager. Monsters are his specialty, which fits the personality of a man who dresses in all black and drives a hearse. Hall has created masterpieces for countless B-movies and big budget flicks for Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, Warner Bros and Disney, including favorites Ed Wood and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Hall has also lent his talent to numerous television programs including Yo Gabba Gabba, for which he received an Emmy nomination. Additionally, he has worked with rock bands including KISS, creating Gene Simmons' Demon Armor, as well as Insane Clown Posse, Alice Cooper, Tenacious D and DEVO.
Monster Man follows Cleve Hall, his daughters Constance and Elora Hall, his ex-wife Sonja Maddox-Hall, best friends Roy Knyrim and Johnny Saiko, as well as office manager Cindy Miller. Executive Producers are Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney for Gurney Productions.
Production on Monster Man is slated to begin shooting in Los Angeles in July 2011 with an anticipated January 2012 debut.
About Gurney Productions
Established in 2005, Gurney Productions is a full-service television production company, supplying hundreds of hours of reality and factual based programming to major networks in the US and abroad, including shows for Discovery (Speed of Life, Shark Week specials), Syfy (Haunted Collector), Spike (Auction Hunters), Animal Planet (Wild Recon), ESPN, A&E, Travel, Versus and HDNET. Always at the forefront of new worlds and interesting characters, Gurney Productions continues to put out a diverse slate of content, from filmic recreations with intense story telling to compelling unscripted reality.
I may hate myself for supporting a reality show, but I will totally check this one out.
I have to Syfy this, the are really upping their anty from the crap they used to run! They're reality shows are pretty decent too. I normally hate reality shows too, but their show Hollywood Treasures is pretty awesome if you haven't seen it (about the Profiles In History auction house who collect, verify and authenticate, then auction off high end movie memorabilia, it's very cool and no drama, just awesome stuff!) and their series Face Off is really well done. Just a good competition show about special effects make up artists with minimal amounts of drama (there was some, but it didn't dominate the show). And it's hosted by Bud Westmore's granddaughter!
Yep, I really enjoy both of those shows; Also used to like Ghosthunters but it got a little monotonous as the seasons went on but that is more due to the nature of what they do.