Unknown Productions in very happy to announce that we have cast James Kyson Lee as "Jerry" in Necrosis. Robert and I met James for lunch (see Blog - 9/4/07) awhile back and talked with him about our production. We were very excited that he really took to our script and was himself, excited about the role of Jerry....... he expressed interest in the role and I told him that I'd love to have him take on the role....... Great right! He wants to do it, we want him to do it.... but wait..... he's in contract with NBC. Well, maybe we can work it out. That takes more time than I thought..... but we worked on it.... with the help of his agents and manager, etc, etc, etc. Finally I just called NBC and told them that James was doing the film and that was that. They snapped back with - "what if we don't let him?" I said that I had a little ace up my sleeve and they didn't want to mess with Unknown Productions.....well they pushed and I pushed back..... hence the impending writer's strike that I called for. Now we got him.... see how that works! Okay, I'm just kidding here.... so I bowed down to NBC, promised (via contract) that if principle photography was needed for "ANDO" on Heroes during our production, we'd get him back to L.A. and so on and so on.

Despite coming from a studio backed hit NBC show, James is a dream for independents to work with! He wants to do a great job. He wants to help everyone else do a great job too! He is a team player in every aspect of the production and understands the complexities of an indie shoot compared to a financial giant like NBC. He has rapidly gained a wealth of on-screen experience and leaves me with a great sense of comfort, knowing that I can call on his acting experience to get the performance the Jerry role demands. With such a small cast on Necrosis, it is going to be a pleasure to work with experienced actors with great range.

Below is James' BIO - Please take a moment to read about him and check out his personal web site and support his role on Heroes.

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James Kyson Lee plays “Ando Masahashi” on NBC's critically acclaimed hit drama HEROES. His character begins his journey from Japan to the states as a realist, but is transformed into a believer when he encounters supernatural events that lead him to take part in a mission to save the world. This scenario oddly parallels the path to success James has traveled in his real life.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, James Kyson Lee moved with his family to New York City at the age of 10. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science and continued his education at Boston University and New England Institute of the Arts where he studied communications. It was in New England where Lee also enrolled in music, dance, and improvisation courses. Inspired by his newly discovered passion for performing, James sold his used car for $1800 in the summer of 2001 and purchased a one-way ticket to Los Angeles in hopes of building a respectable career in the entertainment industry. Lee began training as a jazz singer, and eventually made the transition from music to acting. At his first small screen audition, he landed a guest-starring role on CBS' "J.A.G.", and has since appeared on NBC's "Las Vegas", "The West Wing", "Heist", as well as ABC's "Threat Matrix", and FOX's "All About the Andersons".
In addition to "Heroes," James will star in four feature films in 2008, including the highly anticipated SHUTTER, DO OVER and SLEEPING ROOM ONLY, directed by David Boyle, and of course, NECROSIS!
A student of improvisation & sketch comedy at The Groundlings and I.O. West, James also enjoys playing basketball and the piano, as well as reading and watching documentaries.
James has his own website with tons of great information on this very talented performer.
www.JamesKysonLee.com

Robert and I met with another actor from a hit TV show.... although this show just ended, our possible MATT - was a series lead for many years. After a great meeting, we called the appropriate agents, managers, attorney, etc and a contract is out there. We have met other possible Matt's, but Robert and I really had a great feeling that this guy could really do the job exactly like we pictured it. Sometimes it's hard to mix indie's with star talent, sometimes it's easy. This time it seemed too easy. It also feels great (as a writer) when a very talented actor tells you that he already told his agent to "make this happen" despite a non-studio backed independent film.....filmed in the freezing cold, isolated (and haunted by cannibals from the 1800s) cabin in Lake Tahoe, with pay that I'm sure he isn't accustomed to. Okay it's not going to be that bad..... but we have been telling everyone that it is, so we scare away the timid.
When we receive our contract back (signed of course), we will disclose our next Necrosis actor!
Thanks for checking in!

On Sunday we held some more of the auditions. We had a minor set-back but we pressed on and still made some great headway on NECROSIS. The script is now in the hands of several actors and actresses from some great film and television shows. Even for the low-end SAG scale pay that we are able to offer, we have had very positive feedback and response. We have signed our Director of Photography, Deanna Esmaeel, who has extensive credits in film and television, as Director of Photography, Film and HD camera operation, D.I. work, editing and her own productions. She met with a good portion of our production team and we all felt that she well add significantly to the look and feel of NECROSIS. With a bunch of guys on the set of a horror film it's nice to get a woman's touch.......Deanna told us it's her favorite genre!

We are calling back several actresses for the role of SAMANTHA. The ladies well be reading with their film counterpart JERRY. We have also called in some fresh faces and a few actors for the MATT and MEGAN roles as well. We have a few actresses we will be calling back for MEGAN already, however, we'd like to see a few more.

The first of the storyboards should be up online at the NECROSISMOVIE.com website very soon......like maybe tomorrow! These aren't your typical storyboards, but detailed, large format drawings by none other than comic book artist, Robert Michael Ryan...... now how'd we get that...... He wrote the movie with me, thats how. Storyboards for free! Thats how were getting it done here. Actually, Robert, who has already been a published "graphic novel" comic book artist, has thought about dabbling in the storyboard art world. After you get a chance to see the storyboards, let him know what you think of his work.

More updates are coming soon.

Jason

Robert and I went to Vegas for the weekend...... yes it was a business trip, fully tax deductible, and yes it was for NECROSIS. We met with co-producers, Robert and Christine Reynoso, for contract signing, to discuss the project...... and for a great meal, a little music, and a little Blackjack!

After a wonderful steak dinner at the "Foundation Room" inside Mandalay Bay's House of Blues, we were able to sit quietly in our private room there and discuss the project. Robert and Christine, because of their distance from the L.A. area get very little face time to talk about the project. This was a perfect opportunity to relax and unwind from the stresses of pre-production.

After the Foundation Room, we left for a little night life at the "PLAYBOY CLUB." A friend of mine, is president of the Asian Police Officer's Association and he made a call for me and got us free all access passes to the night club. It's nice to act like a high-roller once in awhile.

Well, it's Monday and it's back to work on Necrosis pre-production.

We are holding call-back auditions on Sunday, with one of the lead actors helping out.

More updates are coming........