Robocop Behind The Scenes PT 1 / Dead Or Alive, You're Coming With Me

With the remake soon to be released, I was so excited that I grabbed my crayons and began yet another 'behind the scenes' blog post on the classic SCI-FI classic 'Robocop.' 

The Original release was back in 1987 and was met with mixed reviews, mostly due to the barbaric, fascist state of decay the world had become. Starting off with a news report, director Paul Verhoeven was quickly able to set the scene, depicting the world on the tipping point of nuclear war.  The news report continues with a story of a cop being gunned down and fighting for his life-the reporter cheering him on like a sports fan supporting one of his idols. Needless to say, the lack of empathy was evident in his "good luck Frank" comment followed by the dashing quick flex of his fist.

Produced by Orion studios, Robocop was following in the footsteps of another movie produced by the same company which was called 'Terminator' where a sophisticated and unstoppable robot was sent back through time to eliminate the poor unsuspecting Sarah Connor. The Terminator was written as more of a horror movie, a genre that wouldn't suit the writers of our would be 'knight in shining armour' Robocop (literally).

Although undoubtedly the two movies would be linked and compared, there could be no question that their differences outnumbered their similarities, with the main divide being (believe it or not) that Robocop was more 'human' than the Terminator, an aspect that is highlighted further as the movie goes on.

Paul Verhoeven (pictured above) was a Dutch director with a religious background who really wanted to implement a piece of that into the movie as he toyed with the brutal death of Officer Murphy followed by the resurrection into Robocop - perhaps he was trying to be artistic but he was quoted as saying "you can't appreciate the resurrection unless the death was brutal, much like Jesus so I wanted to make his execution scene as horrific as possible, killing off the hero barely 25 mins into the movie"

The scene he is of course referring to is when Murphy is shot, possibly over 30 times at close range not to mention having his hand blown off to start the tortuous parade. Now I've never been shot before let alone absorbed that volume of punishment but I would tend to argue that Jesus perhaps suffered a lot more for a lot longer - but I guess myself and Paul can agree to disagree. 

The Robocop suit was designed around a Japanese Manga comic style design where they wanted to simple slit eye lens across the helmet and part of the face uncovered. I remember thinking during the movie "Why don't they just shoot him in the face" particularly in the car park scene where he, once again, is the subject of a firing squad... the poor guy can't catch a break

To be fair to the continuity team, Robocop does in fact cover his face when taking the shots so I'll pipe down and wind my neck in.Casting for the role of Robocop was difficult as the suit was restricted to a certain size. Originally they had wanted to cast Michael Ironside but found he would be too tall for the role.

Eventually they settled on Peter Weller who they found would be small enough to fill the role. When I watched back the movie recently I was amazed at just how skinny he is. Don't get me wrong when you watch the movies from the 80's they all tended to be slimmer but jeez, Peter is tiny. I am pretty sure I could press him above my head. Feel free to promote the Press Peter campaign...we could start a hash tag trend there.

So with the cast set they were ready to film right?

WRONG! Prior to filming, Peter had taken lessons from a miming coach to play the role of Robocop, all of which he had practised WITHOUT the suit on. On the first day of filming it took 11 hours..Yes ELEVEN hours to get all the adjustments right before he could walk out on set. It was not until he took his first few steps that he realised the suit restricted him in a very big way, delaying the start of filming by at least another week while he had to familiarise himself to the new outfit.

If you want a laugh, watch the movie over again, paying particular attention to the scene when he first confronts the executive at OCP, it's hilarious watching him jerk and spasm as his core programming refuses to allow him to complete his arrest.

So while you are all away seeking new thrills and giggles at our knight in shining armour's expense, ill get started on part two where I will discuss some of the special effects used to complete the key scenes in the movie.



Are You a Grumpy Chops?

Sometimes I hear critics say 'no book is perfect so no book should get 5 stars' although I beg to differ. Being an author myself I know how much hard work goes into a book, the time, the imagination, the sweat and the tears. And so, when I rate a book I like to give it 5 stars initially, and as I work through my criteria I wait to see if it stays there. 

A book is, quite simple a means to entertain and when I've finished reading I want to feel like I've enjoyed the experience. That the time spent going through it was well worth it and If I'm left feeling lost, empty, frustrated or annoyed then this is certainly not the desired outcome.  I mean who deliberately goes out there way to annoy themselves?

So when rating the books I've read I do so with entertainment value on my mind. Starting with maximal score then looking at plot. I liken books to a TV programme, If I'm flicking through the guide and read the info on a programme, it needs to grab my attention with a thrilling or intriguing plot line. When reviewing, if the plot played out and kept me watching or reading then it keeps its five stars. 

Characters-they have to seem real don't they? I have to engage with at least one of them. If  the character is funny, quirky, tough, mean or just damn right awesome without explanation! then chances are I'll engage with them. If the book I'm reviewing has a character I 'get' then it keeps its star.  A little mystery,  every story needs this to keep you reading as we all want to know what's going to happen don't we? whether it be romance, crime or supernatural thriller we all want to know if that person lives, dies or gets the guy. 

If the mystery is too easy, transparent or not even present then I know what's going to happen. I pay that little bit less attention and become less absorbed in the story which leaves me feeling a little unfulfilled. A good intriguing story line keeps its star.

Descriptions. I love a good story where I can really picture myself in the situation or really get a feel for what's going on. Is it a dusty battlefield where you can barely see the enemy and your heart is racing? Is there a beautiful lake view where its hard to tell where the mountain ends and its reflection begins or, is it a romantic-heart-racing scene where the girl is about to be kissed by her hero for the first time? Without well explained descriptions I'd switch off or change the channel. Good descriptions keeps the star. 

And last of all good grammar and punctuation is a must. I will liken this to a televisions aerial signal, if you've got a bad signal the picture will jump, shake or become fuzzy. It ruins the flow of the movie and in the end any sane person will just jump up and turn the TV off. Punctuation is vital for the flow of the story so the less errors the better. If punctuation and grammar are good then this point keeps its star.

So if you ever see me giving five stars to the books I've read then it means every box has been ticked and it's worth a read in my opinion. I'd love to hear how you decide what gets a five star review in your opinion? Sound off below. 

Blurb - Chronicles of Astoria Part II

It has been three months since Astoria was thrown into chaos by the sinister workings of the dark Lord and the Angels are doing everything that they can to piece it all back together. It is Chances’ hope that the Superfuse World Championship will bring the people closer once more and return happiness to their once beautiful city... but, an even darker plan has already been set in motion

Everywhere he goes Raphael is heckled, hated and generally unwanted. He just cannot understand it. Some Astorians even go as far as assaulting him with produce from their stalls. He finds himself lying to Chance more and more each day, lies that he believes are not going unnoticed and he blames her lack of affection toward him on himself. He has dark secrets that he needs to tell her but with her attention focussed on the Superfuse preparations, he just can’t find the right moment.

Chance finds herself with an inner turmoil. She is pregnant and hasn’t told Raphael yet. She feels him slipping further and further away from her and she begins to analyse just how badly she treats him and blames herself for the unsaid truths that are now constantly passing between them. She needs to tell him about the baby but can’t find the right moment; she vows to tell him after the tournament.

When the tournament gets vandalised and all fingers are pointing at Raphael, the sinister scheme is set in motion. Have both Angels left it too late to confess their truths?

- Ends - 

Hope you enjoyed the blurb, you can now pick up your copy over on Amazon here. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Release Date for Part II Will Be...

I am so excited to reveal that chronicles of Astoria Part II Epsilon will now be released on the first of June 2013, it will be available to purchase on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle e-book formats. 

It's felt like a long five months since part one's release. I would however describe part two as my 'baby' as the story has really started to heat up, it's all very exciting. 

I made a few changes to the look of this book, I've opted for the more traditional cream paper this time around and also increased the font size. I can confirm that there are five to six plot-lines that flow through this episode and will continue throughout to part six which is still a long way off.

Keep an eye out also for a new short story coming out which is based on the series and will follow the story of Crystal and how she came to be in Astoria. I hope you are all as excited as I am, when I hear that you've enjoyed it and when I'm asked 'what's going to happen next' it really makes everything so worthwhile and for that, I thank you greatly. 

Peace & Love

* M.R Shields *

Watch The Chronicles of Astoria Temple Scene Here & Now...

This is now my second video blog [vlog] for Chronicles of Astoria fantasy novel series. I know it needs further work such as bringing the camera in closer and improving the sound but it's definitely a work in progress and at this stage I'm very proud of it. 

I hope you enjoy this Temple Scene video. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or over on the Official Facebook Page here.

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields * 

Kelly's New Home

There is nothing quite like hitting the open road on a bright, fresh and sunny Sunday morning!

With my go-kart loaded with some of her belongings, her favourite teddy bear safely strapped into the front seat (safety is paramount in my experience) I head off from the cottage, en-route to a little place called Tynuilt, to help construct Kelly’s new flat into something more homely.

I get off to a good start, the roads are fairly clear and I have the top gun album blaring at the top of my standard speaker’s lungs! had it been a warmer morning, I may have risked my reputation by rolling down the window (yes rolling, my go-kart doesn’t not have such futuristic contraptions such as electric windows) and allowing the 80's tune to deafen the animals that I passed by, as it was, I kept the window tightly shut, my mouth on the other hand was yelling myself deeper into the danger zone!! Hell I could have made it onto X-factor but I really don’t have the ankles for it.

Perhaps an hour into my journey, the inevitable happened. Yes, you guessed it; I was overtaken by another vehicle. Now you may think, "big deal happens all the time" well perhaps it does, but to be overtaken by a Citroen C1 is just embarrassing. I could see it approaching from a good couple of hundred yards back, powering its way forward with its little French engine. I push the pedal to the floor of my little go-kart, willing it to go faster and growl like the tiger I need it to be, instead it sounds like a hoarse lawn mower, coughing its way further forward. Within a few seconds it’s upon me, and my first instinct is to naturally hide my face, save what little dignity I have left and pray this little red demon passes me quickly. Time slows down and I feel my cheeks go red with the situation. From the corner of my eye, this little red contraption begins to soar past me, thundering onwards with blistering speed and cutting back into the lane in front of me and taking off further down the road like a gazelle on steroids. The next moment happened so quickly.

From my angry, out-powered eagle eyes, I focus in on his hazard lights....THEY FLASH TWICE!!

‘HOW DARE HE!’ I said to the bear at my side, he thinks I let him past; my foot is still to the floor!!!! The red spectre from the depths of hell itself had not only humiliated me in front of the bear, but then poured salt on the wound with his flashy display!

Now you may think I would want to make this story have a happy ending, that perhaps I would pass this highly tuned, top spec race car further up the road only to see it parked in the lay-by with a couple of punctures... sadly there is no such justice for me in this world, I never set eyes on that record breaker again.

All thoughts of this tragedy were soothed away as I eventually arrived at my destination in Tynuilt. The view was absolutely stunning, with the mountains on my right, their peaks covered in snow and standing there, defiant against the landscape.

The beautiful Scottish moorland spreading all the way down to the water and a cool, brisk breeze flowing through the air, it all made me proud to be Scottish; the bear seemed to smile too!

below is a picture of the car... That's a Citroen C1 right?

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

The Man in the Field

THE MAN IN THE FIELD

It would seem to me, that regardless of the temperament of the person, they would always stand their ground defiantly when faced with aggression on their own doorstep. Their natural born instincts to defend their home would always supersede any simple notions of common sense. I say this mostly because I too, felt threatened and was forced to present a strong front in the face of certain danger!

The morning air was fresh and the sun’s rays were casting long lancing rays in through my bedroom window, a very welcoming site compared with the white glare of relentless snow that had been slowly destroying my business, day by day, with its insistence on blocking the roads.

Feeling vibrant and fresh (or as fresh as a man could that had slept in a bed that hadn't had its sheets changed in a fortnight) I hopped up and made my way to the kitchen to make myself a cup of warm brew. I was dressed in simple white jogging bottoms and a t-shirt, had I worn my Spiderman pyjamas’, I am fairly confident this incident would never have occurred, the man in question would have surely “up sticks” and left for fear of retaliation. As it was, the only fear I was striking into anyone was the loud padding of feet that I was creating as I marched around my kitchen in my oversized, angry dog slippers.

The kettle boiled, the brew poured, I then opened the back door and took a few steps out into the fresh morning light, inhaling a deep lungful of the crisp, Scottish, country air. With my cup of brew in one hand, the gentle breeze flowing through my fingers in the other, I gazed around my beautiful view, reminding myself just how lucky I was to live where I do.

Taking a large slurp of my brew, I pan my head from left to right, my eyes darting casually from each point of interest to the next. I could see the sheep in the next field over, chewing happily away on their grass. There was an old tree in the field divider, swaying in the wind and desperately fighting a losing battle that gravity would eventually win, but probably not for a few more seasons yet. I could see the young farmer lad working on his knees, hammering away at some post that was set mid way through the field to my left, and I could also see his assistant standing broadly next to him, watching him as he worked.

I took another slurp of my warm brew and continued to enjoy the moment, knowing full well that life was fairly tranquil for me out here. That was, until the broad, square shouldered assistant took an interest in me, that changed everything.

I could feel my irritation slowly start to rise as he continued to stare at me, showing no interest whatsoever to his colleague working at his feet. I half expected a small wave, some gesture of common courtesy, anything that would relieve the tension that was slowly building in the space that occupied the expanse between where I stood and his location. My grip tightened on my mug and from the corner of my eye I could see that my knuckles had turned white from the exertion.

Just what was this guy’s problem? My irritation grew further as I started to play out the entire event in my head, my inner monologue dramatising the situation beyond any sensible solution. Here was THIS guy, ruining my perfectly relaxing morning with his childish need to flex his masculinity. I smirked as I began to wear my game face, knowing deep down that this guy had bitten off more than he could chew here, and I certainly wasn't going to back down.

Feeling the need to demonstrate a little show of muscle myself, I let the cup of brew drop from my hands, tumbling end over end to the hard ground below and smashing into tiny pieces of ceramic mess. I hold my his gaze, he didn't even so much as flinch, as the noise echoed off the walls of my cottage and cascaded over the fields around. The young farmer lifted his head, catching my eyes he smiled and gave me a short wave. I had no beef with him; he is a good lad, so I wave back, but my eyes never leave the square one, never giving an ounce of ground in this battle.

A part of me wanted to walk over there, to hop the fence and clamber through the muddy, freshly sowed field, wearing only my growling dog slippers, and make my way up to where he stood, take the fight to him as it were. Had it not been for the farmer finishing his task, standing up, and making his way toward me, then I might just as well have.

It took the lad barely a minutes’ walk, trudging through the mud in his green willies, to reach my cottage, the other guy still stood there, immobile and staring at me, I continued to stare back.

“Morning mate” the young farmer said a smile on his face as always. I wanted to return the smile but didn’t want to give any ground in my contest with my macho nemesis. Perhaps if I convinced the guy I was incapable of smiling, that I slept on a bed of nails and that I used sandpaper for toilet roll, and then perhaps he would give up this stupid contest and look away. I chose to remain stoic, bolstered to my brutish stance.

“Morning” I said bluntly.

Now one thing I will always pride myself on, is how fast and adaptable I am to situations. My mood can change as and when required, and for it not for this unique talent I have, I may have looked as stupid as I FELT, when I heard the next words that left the farmers lips.

“Aye lad, it’s been a busy one for me, been up all morning putting up these scarecrows, don’t want the birds eating the seed you see”

I felt stupid, OK worse, I felt BLOODY stupid! Here was me, all fired up and ready for a rumble, dressed in my joggy bottoms and fluffy puppy slippers, all around me there is pieces of broken cup from a brew I was clearly too clumsy to hang on to. I did what any self respecting chap would do, I did what I HAD to do, I muttered seven little words that were as much of a lie as my bed of nails with sandpaper. As the warm morning breeze flowed through my hair I said

“Oh its cold, I'm heading back in”

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

My First Book Signing

So I stand there in my living room, my newly published book gleaming in my hands, a grin across my face so wide, that it looks like I have attempted to eat a Cadbury's chocolate bar whole, and I am not talking about the standard bar either!

I get a message from my good friend requesting that I drop her a copy of my book. I take a look out the window and see that the snow is falling dangerously heavy, the roads look treacherous, and most of all, I haven’t gelled my hair. After much persuasion (well a whole seven seconds discussion with my inner monologue) I decide that this friend could very well be my first and only fan, snow or no snow, gel or no gel I would have to risk it. So off I went.

It would be fair to say that I try to keep physically fit, although with each laboured step I take, hauling my feet through snow as thick is treacle, I soon realise just the predicament I had got myself into. Nevertheless I persevere onwards, dragging myself through the blizzard. Cars pass me on the main road, spraying slush and ice like a tsunami against my face, freezing my little nose in the process and yet still I battle on. My legs quickly felt heavy, my muscles were pumping so hard that it was no longer possible to determine whether it was the snow, or sweat that had them soaked to the bone. My thoughts drift to the great Robert Peary and his journey to the north pole in the April of 1909, although I am not sure that my brown, suede, large Next jacket would compare to their snow specific thermals that I am sure they adorned back then, almost immediately I concluded that I had it worse than they did.

The miles felt like marathons, and when I finally reached my friends vehicle, I had no fight left in my weary bones. Doing something less than manly, I am pretty sure I fainted.

When I awoke, I found myself in this beautifully warm room. Within seconds of my arousal, a glass of the finest champagne was placed into my hand and I was being embraced and celebrated by all around me. My eyes darted around the room, the bright colours were dazzling but I could make out a family of happy, welcome faces that were greeting me with the finest hospitality. On the main kitchen bunker, there were thick cut, tender fillet steaks sitting there, looking succulent and divine and just waiting to be placed onto the grill. There were candles lit on the table and more glasses filled with delicious looking wine. I could hear the snaps of camera shutters, multiple sounds from multiple devices, all pointing at me.

A voice spoke softly to me, a familiar and very friendly voice. “Will you sign my book?” she asked. I take the pen in my hand and begin to write. What I scribbled remains a mystery to me even now, but she seemed happy with the outcome. I stood back up and I felt her hand at my back, I lifted my weary eyes and once more found myself in the firing line of another photo opportunity. I smile, not because I was asked to smile, but because I was so happy at where I had found myself. The flash hits my eyes and I am momentarily dazzled, the glare fills my vision and I half expect to wake up somewhere cold, outside and in the snow. As the glare fades I smile once more, I am exactly where I was...it really WASNT  a dream!

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

Chronicles of Astoria Now Available To Buy!

The new book is finished! I am so proud to have achieved this stage as I didn't think I would make it at certain points in the journey. Part I, Delta is available on Amazon now and I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to those who have already purchased my book. 

I appreciate each and every sale not for the monetary amount but because it warms my heart to know that you also will get to delve into Astoria like I have, I love that I get to share my vision with you and I hope you enjoy it. 

In the distant future, the world has been ravaged and reduced to a single inhabitable area... Astoria. 

A grand and beautiful city, its occupants righteous and peaceful, the Astorian’s are governed and protected by the Angels, a group of supernatural humans that possess powerful gifts and skills. 

Chance is Astoria’s favourite Angel, loved by all and an enemy to none. Fun, witty and most of all competitive she quickly finds herself in a game she can’t possibly win. The price of such a loss is banishment from the city along with the loss of her memory. 

With Chance out of the way and the rest of the Angels cast out on meaningless errands, the city falls into chaos Can her trusting protector Raphael help find her memory before a dark plot is fulfilled that will endanger the lives of the remaining population of the world

 You can find Part I, Delta here on Amazon or you can contact my PR on chroniclesofastoriapr@gmail.com to purchase your copy out with Amazon. 

Peace & Love 

* M.R Shields *

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