Sunday, November 7, 2010

Former Ninja Turtle to Produce Martial Arts Films for Young Viewers

I found the following press release through Business Wire, and by running it, I am admitting that I liked those live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies from the early 1990s.  I think it's time to see them again:

Former Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Star Ernie Reyes Jr. Teams Up To Produce Slate of Youth Oriented Martial Arts Films

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Ninja Turtle star Ernie Reyes Jr. of Smasher Entertainment and Art Birzneck of Birch Tree Entertainment announced today at the American Film Market that they are teaming up to produce a slate of youth-oriented martial arts films targeted at the teen and twenty-something audience.

Karate Cops, the first film in the slate, is scheduled to start shooting April 2011 in San Francisco, CA. Karate Cops, created by Ernie Reyes Jr. and written by 2010 Page Award silver medalist Cody Yarbrough and Ernie Reyes Jr., features a pair of high-flying detectives in a battle against a super-villain on a quest to take over a mystical martial arts kingdom in Chinatown. Karate Cops will be followed by Cheer Ninjas and Teen Samurai.

“With our extensive connections and combined experience in the production and distribution of martial arts films, Birch Tree and Smasher are uniquely positioned to fill a void in what we believe is an under-serviced youth action film market,” stated Birzneck. “It also doesn’t hurt that we are both black belts.”

“We are re-inventing the classic martial arts hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s and making them relevant to young people today. I was fortunate to be part of The Last Dragon and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and we are going to bring back that energy and excitement,” said Reyes Jr.

Smasher will take the lead in all creative and production aspects, with Birch Tree taking the lead in all business and distribution aspects. Strategic partnerships are also part of the production plan. Media Network Services and Straight Up Technologies will be providing video collaboration solutions for the production of Karate Cops. In addition to utilizing video collaboration technologies during the production of Karate Cops, a case study will be written on the behind the scenes integration of next generation technologies during the film making process.


About Birch Tree Entertainment
Birch Tree Entertainment is an international film sales and production company specializing in high quality martial arts and action films

About Smasher Entertainment
Smasher Entertainment is a martial arts multimedia production company


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