The Planet of Doom – An Animated Tale of Metal and Art
In the spirit of R-rated animated films like Heavy Metal and the works of Ralph Bakshi, Riff Lodge Animation (the studio behind the mind-blowing music video for Conan‘s “Throne of Fire“) are setting out to produce an EPIC feature-length fantasy/science-fiction film called The Planet of DOOM, created entirely by artists and bands in the doom/stoner/psych/metal genres.
The Planet of DOOM is an animated film in which our hero, Halvar the brave, seeks vengeance aboard a witch-born chopper, journeying across a psychedelic landscape on a quest to defeat the deadly beast Mördvél for the slaying of his beloved bride.
The story, written by artist David Paul Seymour, and animated by director Tim Granda, unwinds across 14 song-chapters, with each being interpreted by a different artist and band team-up. The film will also contain subtitles, so you’ll never miss a lyric no matter how insane things get! This saga contains no spoken dialogue, opting instead to regale the revenge tale of hero Halvar through the lyrics of the film’s original music. Seymour comments on the film:
“The Planet of DOOM is a tribute to heavy music and the art that accompanies that type of music. With this film, we’re seeking to encapsulate the music and art community that Tim and I are a proud part of with one epic body of work. We are also naturally bringing in all sorts of fringe countercultures who’ve attached to this same community: bikers, skateboarders, comic book and sci-fi fantasy fans. It’s a really vibrant and diversified community, and we’ve certainly brought in the right ambassadors to represent it properly.”
The filmmakers are seeking to raise $45,000 for this animated tale of metal and art, you can pledge to their Kickstarter here. Rewards range from limited pins and t-shirts to being an animated extra, producer titles, and original art.
Director/Animator Tim Granada is an animator out of Michigan, who also runs Doom Cycle, an on-line magazine that covers the raddest artists in the chopper scene. He’s a regular contributor to Show Class Magazine, and worked for, recorded, and performed at the legendary NYC club CBGB’s.
As a kid, Granda used to pedal his BMX bike to the local 7-11 to buy the latest issue of Heavy Metal Magazine. Inside he discovered the works of Moebius, Druillet, Caza, and Corben, and his mind has been terminally warped ever since.
His passion for animation began at an early age when he discovered the film Yellow Submarine, and before long he was making stop-motion animated films with his parents Super-8 camera. He cites the work of René Laloux (Fantastic Planet, Gandahar) and Ralph Bakshi (American Pop, Fire and Ice) among his biggest influences. Granda adds:
“Blowing minds and kicking ass is always a challenge, and we’re gonna savor every twisted, tripped-out minute of it! David and I have been dreaming of making a movie like this ever since we were kids, and with the talent, passion, and commitment from everyone on board – plus knowing you all have our backs – WE WILL NOT FAIL!”
Writer/Art Director David Paul Seymour is a Mississippi-based freelance artist and illustrator, mostly doing record covers, t-shirts, and poster artwork for rock and roll bands. He’s done work for some of the biggest names in independent label rock and metal, notably Pentagram, Agnostic Front, The Sword, Red Fang, Graveyard, Earthless, and Kadavar. Seymour has also been commissioned by numerous noteworthy companies for apparel design, craft beer packaging, event posters, and skateboards.
Growing up in the ’80s in the DIY punk and metal scenes, he made lots of friends drawing cheaply xeroxed handbill flyers for bands and venues in his hometown of Biloxi, MS.
Throughout his life, Seymour has been influenced heavily by the likes of Frank Frazetta, Pushead, Brian Bolland, Bernie Wrightson, John Buscema, and Todd McFarlane; and of course, all manner of heavy music.
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