Stingray Sam
Encyclopedia
Stingray Sam is a 2009
space-western
/musical
serial film, directed
by and starring Cory McAbee
. The film premiered on January 20, 2009 at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
as part of the New Frontier program. This is Cory McAbee's latest film after he was not able to secure financing for what was to be his second feature Werewolf Hunters of the Midwest.
The six episodes are entitled:
's film Werewolf Hunters of the Midwest, McAbee began work on a six-part serialized feature film entitled Stingray Sam that was created with the intention of being a multi-platform release or as McAbee calls it "for screens of all sizes". The trailer was made available to the public on November 11, 2008.
According to Tom Fortunato, one of the extras on the set, told The Westfield Leader (newspaper for Westfield, New Jersey
) that despite not reading the script, he feels that production will be similar to Richard Elfman
's 1980
cult classic The Forbidden Zone.
as part of the New Frontier program. Stingray Sam was also shown at the Sarasota Film Festival
on April 5, 2009, Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival on April 20, 2009, The Downtown Independent on April 10, 2009, Independent Film Festival of Boston
on April 26, 2009, Sci-Fi-London
on May 2, 2009, and has continued to screen in numerous festivals throughout the world. The film was supposed to be screened at the Icon International Sci-Fi Film Festival in Tel Aviv in October 2009, but the screening and visit of crew members were cancelled by McAbee in protest of the political situation in Israel towards Palestinians (a similar cancellation also occurred with his film The American Astronaut three years earlier).
On September 15, 2009, Stingray Sam had its theatrical premiere at The Downtown Independent where it was simultaneously broadcast live from the theater on McAbee's website. DVD's and digital downloads became available from his website on the same day as well. Stingray Sam continues to play in theaters both nationally and internationally.
wrote that "Stingray Sam leaves one begging for more at one unflaggingly delightful hour."
2009 in film
The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
space-western
Space western
Space Western is a subgenre of science fiction, primarily grounded in film and television programming, that transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers; it is the complement of the science fiction Western, which transposes science fiction themes...
/musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
serial film, directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by and starring Cory McAbee
Cory McAbee
Cory McAbee is an American writer and director, and lead singer of the band Billy Nayer Show.- Director :*Billy Nayer *The Man on the Moon...
. The film premiered on January 20, 2009 at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
2009 Sundance Film Festival
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival ran from January 15, 2009 until January 25 in Park City, Utah. It was the 25th iteration of the Sundance Film Festival.-Award winners:*Grand Jury Prize: Documentary - We Live in Public...
as part of the New Frontier program. This is Cory McAbee's latest film after he was not able to secure financing for what was to be his second feature Werewolf Hunters of the Midwest.
Plot
According to the official website:
A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice, The Quasar Kid. Follow these two space-convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet.
The six episodes are entitled:
- Episode 1: Factory Fugitives
- Episode 2: The Forbidden Chromosome
- Episode 3: The Famous Carpenter
- Episode 4: Corporate Mascot Rehabilitation Program
- Episode 5: Shake Your Shackles
- Episode 6: Heart of a Stingray
Cast
- Cory McAbeeCory McAbeeCory McAbee is an American writer and director, and lead singer of the band Billy Nayer Show.- Director :*Billy Nayer *The Man on the Moon...
as Stingray Sam - Crugie as Quasar Kid
- Joshua TaylorJoshua TaylorJoshua Taylor is a film and television actor. He is also a film director and film producer.Taylor is perhaps best known for his appearance as Blueberry Pirate in the space western musical film The American Astronaut .- Career :...
as Fredward - Willa Vy McAbee as Girl/The Carpenter's Daughter
- Frank SwartFrank SwartFrank Swart is an American musician, composer, producer & engineer. His main instrument is the Bass. Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, he plays with Patty Griffin, American Astronaut & Funkwrench...
as Barnaby - Jessica Jelliffe as The Clerk
- Caleb Scott as The Artist
- Michael De Nola as Scientist
- Michael Wiener as Smarmy Scientist
- Ron CrawfordRon Crawford- Film :*Stingray Sam *Our Feature Presentation as Alexander Weever.*Joulutarina as Gideon.*Arthur and the Minimoys as Archibald.*Home of Angels as Card Player.- Television :...
as Old Scientist - Bobby Lurie as Cubby
- David Hyde PierceDavid Hyde PierceDavid Hyde Pierce is an American actor and comedian best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier, for which he received many accolades including four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.-Early life:Pierce, the youngest of four siblings,...
as Narrator - Forrest C. "Frosty" Lawson as Scientist
- Maura Ruth Hashman as Heaven
Production
As financing was not secured for Cory McAbeeCory McAbee
Cory McAbee is an American writer and director, and lead singer of the band Billy Nayer Show.- Director :*Billy Nayer *The Man on the Moon...
's film Werewolf Hunters of the Midwest, McAbee began work on a six-part serialized feature film entitled Stingray Sam that was created with the intention of being a multi-platform release or as McAbee calls it "for screens of all sizes". The trailer was made available to the public on November 11, 2008.
According to Tom Fortunato, one of the extras on the set, told The Westfield Leader (newspaper for Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract....
) that despite not reading the script, he feels that production will be similar to Richard Elfman
Richard Elfman
Richard "Rick" Elfman, , is an American film actor, director, producer, screenwriter, author, and magazine publisher.-Family:...
's 1980
1980 in film
- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
cult classic The Forbidden Zone.
Release
Stingray Sam premiered on January 20, 2009 at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival2009 Sundance Film Festival
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival ran from January 15, 2009 until January 25 in Park City, Utah. It was the 25th iteration of the Sundance Film Festival.-Award winners:*Grand Jury Prize: Documentary - We Live in Public...
as part of the New Frontier program. Stingray Sam was also shown at the Sarasota Film Festival
Sarasota Film Festival
The Sarasota Film Festival has been held annually since 1999 in Sarasota, Florida. The festival is held in April and has become one of the top ten independent festivals in North America...
on April 5, 2009, Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival on April 20, 2009, The Downtown Independent on April 10, 2009, Independent Film Festival of Boston
Independent Film Festival of Boston
The Independent Film Festival of Boston is a not for profit film festival in Boston, Massachusetts.- History :The Independent Film Festival of Boston was created in 2003 by the non-profit organization the Independent Film Society of Boston. The festival takes place each April in the Boston area's...
on April 26, 2009, Sci-Fi-London
Sci-Fi-London
SCI-FI-LONDON , is a UK based film festival, dedicated to the science fiction and fantasy genres, which began in 2002.-About the Festival:...
on May 2, 2009, and has continued to screen in numerous festivals throughout the world. The film was supposed to be screened at the Icon International Sci-Fi Film Festival in Tel Aviv in October 2009, but the screening and visit of crew members were cancelled by McAbee in protest of the political situation in Israel towards Palestinians (a similar cancellation also occurred with his film The American Astronaut three years earlier).
On September 15, 2009, Stingray Sam had its theatrical premiere at The Downtown Independent where it was simultaneously broadcast live from the theater on McAbee's website. DVD's and digital downloads became available from his website on the same day as well. Stingray Sam continues to play in theaters both nationally and internationally.
Reception
Dennis Harvey of VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
wrote that "Stingray Sam leaves one begging for more at one unflaggingly delightful hour."