Eric Forsberg
Encyclopedia
Eric Forsberg is the writer and director of the feature film Mega Piranha
, as well as the writer of the feature film Snakes on a Train
, a mockbuster
produced and released by The Asylum
. He also wrote the screenplays for 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
and War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave
, also for The Asylum
. He directed the film Alien Abduction
on Sci Fi Channel
, Night of the Dead: Leben Tod, Torture Room, and the comedy Sex Pot
. Other film credits include Monster, White Nights, Bel Air, and Palmer's Pickup.
on December 16, 1959. He is the son of improv director Josephine Forsberg
and filmmaker Rolf Forsberg
.
Before moving to Hollywood in 1997, Forsberg worked as a writer and director in the Chicago
theater scene. The original musical, Knat Scatt Private Eye
, with Steve Carell
, was among his more successful productions. Forsberg also taught improvisation at The Players Workshop
and The Second City Training Center where his students included Stephen Colbert
, Amy Sedaris
, Tim Meadows, and Rachel Dratch
. Forsberg also worked as a director for the youth programs at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
. His performance credits include Silas Brimfire at the Bristol Renaissance Faire
.
Soon after Forsberg arrived in Los Angeles
, he began working with director Christopher Coppola
and producer Alain Silver
. Following that he started writing screenplays and directing feature films for David Michael Latt and David Rimawi at The Asylum
. Eric Forsberg was a founding member of The Second City Training Center in Los Angeles where his students included Masi Oka
. Forsberg lives in Southern California with his wife Karen and his daughter Lola. He is a founding member of the production company Cerebral Experiment.
Mega Piranha
- (2010), Syfy
, The Asylum
Sex Pot (2009 film)
- (2009), The Asylum
Torture Room - (2008), Cerebral Experiment
Monster (2008 film)
- (2007), The Asylum
Night of the Dead: Leben Tod - (2006), Cerebral Experiment
Alien Abduction (film) - (2005), The Asylum
Andy - (1985), Players Workshop
WRITER
Almighty Thor
(uncredited) - (2011), SyFy
,
MILF
(story credit)- (2010), The Asylum
War of the Worlds 2 - (2008), The Asylum
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- (2007), The Asylum
Snakes on a Train
- (2006), The Asylum
Blackhorse: History of the 11th Cavalry - (2005), US Army
The Aquanauts (TV)- (1999–2000), Village Roadshow, Animal Planet
Children's Theater of The Second City
- (1980–1993)
Knat Scatt Private Eye - (1986), Theatre Building Chicago
, Players Workshop, Avalon Theater Company
DIRECTOR
Fright Fest
- (1991–1996), Six Flags
Great America
, JPM Productions, Inc.
Bristol Renaissance Faire
- (1990–1997)
Comedy Revues - (1987-1992-Chicago, 1999-2003-Los Angeles), Second City Training Center
Mega Piranha
Mega Piranha is a 2010 science fiction disaster film produced by The Asylum.It was directed by Eric Forsberg and stars Tiffany, Paul Logan and Barry Williams...
, as well as the writer of the feature film Snakes on a Train
Snakes on a Train
Snakes on a Train is an action/horror Z movie released direct to DVD by The Asylum on August 15, 2006.Continuing The Asylum's notoriety of capitalizing on major films with low-budget films with similar titles and plots , many aspects of the film are inspired by the film Snakes on a Plane which was...
, a mockbuster
Mockbuster
A mockbuster is a film created with the apparent intention of piggy-backing on the publicity of a major film with a similar title or theme and are often made with a low budget. Often these films are created to be released direct-to-video at the same time as the mainstream film reaches theaters or...
produced and released by The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
. He also wrote the screenplays for 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a 2007 film that is a modern update on the classic book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It stars Lorenzo Lamas as Lt. Aronnaux and Sean Lawlor as the misanthropic Captain Nemo...
and War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave is a 2008 direct-to-DVD science fiction film starring and directed by C. Thomas Howell....
, also for The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
. He directed the film Alien Abduction
Alien Abduction (film)
Alien Abduction is a 2005 science-fiction horror film produced by The Asylum, and one of few by the same studio not produced to capitalize on the release of another film. It was released with the tagline: "The war of the worlds has just begun!", referencing the 1898 novel The War of the Worlds by H.G...
on Sci Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel
Syfy Universal is a family of television stations in countries around the world broadcasting science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural and paranormal programming, and owned or licensed by entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The first such channel was launched in...
, Night of the Dead: Leben Tod, Torture Room, and the comedy Sex Pot
Sex Pot (2009 film)
Sex Pot is a 2009 direct to DVD sex comedy film produced by The Asylum and written and directed by Eric Forsberg. Two versions were released: 3D and regular. Both versions were released simultaneously...
. Other film credits include Monster, White Nights, Bel Air, and Palmer's Pickup.
Biography
Eric Forsberg was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
on December 16, 1959. He is the son of improv director Josephine Forsberg
Josephine Forsberg
Josephine Forsberg , ex-wife of film director Rolf Forsberg was hired by Paul Sills and Viola Spolin to join the original Second City in 1959 as the female understudy and Spolin's teaching assistant...
and filmmaker Rolf Forsberg
Rolf Forsberg
Rolf Forsberg is a Swedish-American playwright, film and theater director known for directing such films as The Late Great Planet Earth and Parable a film produced for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Parable portrayed humanity as a traveling circus and Jesus Christ as a circus clown...
.
Before moving to Hollywood in 1997, Forsberg worked as a writer and director in the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
theater scene. The original musical, Knat Scatt Private Eye
Knat Scatt Private Eye
A two act, 1930's style film noir musical, featuring a young Steve Carell which played for an extended run at The Theater Building in Chicago in 1985. It was based on a one act musical with the same title which was originally produced earlier that year by Players Workshop for The Children's Theater...
, with Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
, was among his more successful productions. Forsberg also taught improvisation at The Players Workshop
The Players Workshop
Created in 1971 by Josephine Forsberg, The Players Workshop was Chicago's only official school of Improvisation for over a decade. Although it was never officially a part of The Second City cabaret theater, The Players Workshop was often referred to as Players Workshop Of The Second City, due to...
and The Second City Training Center where his students included Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.Colbert originally studied to be an...
, Amy Sedaris
Amy Sedaris
Amy Louise Sedaris is an American actress, author, and comedian. She is known for playing the character Jerri Blank in the Comedy Central television series Strangers with Candy. Sedaris regularly collaborates with her older brother, humorist and author David Sedaris...
, Tim Meadows, and Rachel Dratch
Rachel Dratch
Rachel Susan Dratch is an American comic actress best known for her roles as a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006.-Early life:...
. Forsberg also worked as a director for the youth programs at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
. His performance credits include Silas Brimfire at the Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire is a Renaissance fair held in the village of Bristol, Wisconsin, near Kenosha, Wisconsin, that recreates the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to the port city of Bristol in the year 1574. The Faire plays in a permanent park with most buildings permanent year-round structures,...
.
Soon after Forsberg arrived in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, he began working with director Christopher Coppola
Christopher Coppola
-Personal life:Coppola was born in Los Angeles County, California. His father, the late August Coppola, was a professor of literature, while his mother, Joy Vogelsang, is a dancer and choreographer; the two divorced in 1976. His mother suffered from chronic depression...
and producer Alain Silver
Alain Silver
Alain Silver is a US film producer, film director, and screenwriter; music producer; film critic, film historian, DVD commentator, author and editor of books and essays on film topics, especially film noir and horror films.-Education:...
. Following that he started writing screenplays and directing feature films for David Michael Latt and David Rimawi at The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
. Eric Forsberg was a founding member of The Second City Training Center in Los Angeles where his students included Masi Oka
Masi Oka
Masayori "Masi" Oka is a Japanese-American actor and digital effects artist.He has performed in numerous feature films and TV series, most prominently as Hiro Nakamura in the NBC TV series Heroes from 2006 until its cancellation in May 2010. He resides in Los Angeles, California.-Early life:Oka...
. Forsberg lives in Southern California with his wife Karen and his daughter Lola. He is a founding member of the production company Cerebral Experiment.
Filmography
WRITER & DIRECTORMega Piranha
Mega Piranha
Mega Piranha is a 2010 science fiction disaster film produced by The Asylum.It was directed by Eric Forsberg and stars Tiffany, Paul Logan and Barry Williams...
- (2010), Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
, The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Sex Pot (2009 film)
Sex Pot
Sex Pot is a 1975 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Capitani.-Cast:* Sophia Loren - Pupa* Marcello Mastroianni - Charlie Colletto* Aldo Maccione - Chopin* Pierre Brice - Commissaire adjoint Salvatore Lambelli* Nazzareno Natale - Frankie Bottles...
- (2009), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Torture Room - (2008), Cerebral Experiment
Monster (2008 film)
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
- (2007), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Night of the Dead: Leben Tod - (2006), Cerebral Experiment
Alien Abduction (film) - (2005), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Andy - (1985), Players Workshop
WRITER
Almighty Thor
Almighty Thor
Almighty Thor is a fantasy action film by The Asylum loosely based on Norse mythology, which premiered on the Syfy cable network on May 7, 2011 and was released on DVD on May 10, 2011 in the United States. The film is directed by Christopher Ray and is a mockbuster intending to "cash in" on the...
(uncredited) - (2011), SyFy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
,
MILF
MILF
MILF, an acronym for "Mother/Mom/Mum I'd Like to Fuck", is a common colloquial term generally regarded as vulgar when spelled out. It denotes a sexually attractive older female, generally between 25 and 50 years of age.-History:...
(story credit)- (2010), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
War of the Worlds 2 - (2008), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea
30,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a 2007 film that is a modern update on the classic book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It stars Lorenzo Lamas as Lt. Aronnaux and Sean Lawlor as the misanthropic Captain Nemo...
- (2007), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Snakes on a Train
Snakes on a Train
Snakes on a Train is an action/horror Z movie released direct to DVD by The Asylum on August 15, 2006.Continuing The Asylum's notoriety of capitalizing on major films with low-budget films with similar titles and plots , many aspects of the film are inspired by the film Snakes on a Plane which was...
- (2006), The Asylum
The Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
Blackhorse: History of the 11th Cavalry - (2005), US Army
The Aquanauts (TV)- (1999–2000), Village Roadshow, Animal Planet
Animal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
Stage
PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTORChildren's Theater of The Second City
Second City
Second City or The Second City may refer to:* The second largest city in a country. See: List of largest cities and second largest cities by country...
- (1980–1993)
Knat Scatt Private Eye - (1986), Theatre Building Chicago
Theatre Building Chicago
The Theatre Building Chicago is a theater located in Chicago's lakeview neighborhood. A major part of Chicago theatre, it has been the home to many theatre companies and actors which have gone on to have great success...
, Players Workshop, Avalon Theater Company
DIRECTOR
Fright Fest
Fright Fest
Fright Fest or FrightFest is a Halloween-oriented event that takes place at some theme parks, notably Six Flags parks, called "Six Flags Fright Fest", and PARC Management-owned parks, called "FrightFest".-General information:...
- (1991–1996), Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
Great America
Great America
Great America is a name shared by two American amusement parks opened by the Marriott Corporation in 1976.Both parks are now under different ownership and are known as:* California's Great America, Santa Clara, California, owned by Cedar Fair...
, JPM Productions, Inc.
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire is a Renaissance fair held in the village of Bristol, Wisconsin, near Kenosha, Wisconsin, that recreates the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to the port city of Bristol in the year 1574. The Faire plays in a permanent park with most buildings permanent year-round structures,...
- (1990–1997)
Comedy Revues - (1987-1992-Chicago, 1999-2003-Los Angeles), Second City Training Center
Second City Training Center
The Second City Training Center was founded in the mid-1980s to facilitate the growing demand for workshops and instruction from the world famous The Second City theatre. Training Centers are located in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles. Satellite centers formerly existed in Metro Detroit, Las...