New Philadelphia-area film production company Framelight Productions has plans for six to eight films based on comic, videogame, and toy properties over the next five years.  The company has rights to six comic properties:  Gary Reed’s Deadworld (Caliber Press and Image Comics) and Renfield (Image Comics); Joe Brusha’ and Ralph Tedesco’s 1001 Arabian Nights and Sins of the Fallen (both published by Zenescope); Larry Hama’s Dr. Deth with Kip and Muffy (published by Marvel); and Kill Zone by R.L. Robinson (coming from Zenescope).

 

Framelight was founded by Jeffrey Erb and Robert L. Robinson, Jr.  Erb has produced or exec produced five films in the last five years including Superheroes, which just won a juried award at the Venice Film Festival, with another five in the pipe.  He’s also the principal in a new 300,000 square foot film studio and sound stage facility in the Philadelphia area.  Robinson was exec producer of horror film Southern Gothic with Erb. 

 

The company promises close adaptations in partnership with the creators of the work.  That approach was echoed by Deadworld and Renfield creator Gary Reed, who told us, “They see the creator’s involvement as being key.  You know the story and you should be involved in coming up with the storyline and all the different aspects of it as opposed to signing away the rights and coming to the premiere three years later.” 

 

Reed said his deals with Framelight are different.  “I’ve had fifteen titles optioned, and it doesn’t mean anything,” he said.  Deadworld was previously in development at Warner Brothers, but the plug was pulled about five years ago.  Since then he’s looked at other deals but settled on Framelight because of his creative involvement and the deal structure, which he believes is more likely to result in a film being made.

 

Erb told ICv2 that the company plans to finance its films, with anticipated budgets in the $20 to $100 million range, through a combination of film fund equity and studio financing.