Dex Dixon: Paranormal Dick

Damn it! Sept. 18th 1938

2011-03-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

So it turns out Marloe was right. Hate for that to happen, but everything is possible from time to time. Turns out Horus is mixed up in this mess. He doesn't know I got the drop on him yet so I gotta play thing quiet like for now. I gotta go check in with Frank on the Spook side. Frank'll know what to do and how to handle the situation.
***** Sept 19th 1938
Crossed over into Spooktown last night with the help of a Were named Sid... don't much care for him... a bit mangy but I couldn't find no other Were willing to help a dick slip in. Trolls are getting a bit too pushy lately too. Gonna have to bring that up at the next Council meeting. Hate uppity trolls as much as an empty bottle of Bourbon. Arrived at Frank's Place after Delila was through singin'. Lucky for me she had gone home before I got there... I don't relish the idea of ratting her brother out to her just yet. Have a feeling I'm gonna get some flack from her on that front. Dames!
Frank had already suspected that Horus was behind the hubbub so we just compared notes. That damned Were Fritz seems to have a clawed hand in this too... though we aren't sure yet how deep that goes. Besides, he's small potatoes compared to Horus' involvement. Vamp aristocracy should be set against such an obvious power play... everything is determined by the balance between our worlds being maintained.
Frank and I agreed to just sit tight... for now. We'll let Horus proceed as if we're not wise to it.
Gonna have to tell Marloe he was right though, and that don't sit well with me. I can hear him gloating already that smug shit! Ah well... time to set a trap for a Vamp.

Shocking News: September 16th, 1938

2010-11-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

September 16th 1938.
Manix Marloe hit me with a bit of news last night that I'm not sure how to handle. According to him Delila's brother Horus was seen running away from a Normal attack in the Park Blocks a few nights ago. It was hard news to swallow considering his affiliation with the Council and his relationship to my lady. I'm still not convinced Marloe is seeing things square on this... he's never been a fan of my involvement with a Vamp... none of his damn business I always tell him, but he likes to kick up a rumpus from time to time. Testing me. It's all a mug can do not to plant a knuckle brick in his kisser when he gets like that.
After he left the office, I pulled in Sylus Sly and Barry Baritone... these two are the newest recruits in Our Fair City's crusade to protect the Normals. Strange fellas... work in tandem. Sly is a bladed weapons expert and Barry is almost as good with his bare hands. Seein' these two fight side by side is an inspiration. Not that I'd let em in on that opinion... just sayin'. It's like a damned dance number... Lyla was smart to pull them into the team.
I let them in on the rumor and sent em off to scout it out. I hope Marloe is wrong, the last thing I need is my doll's brother standing between me and my job. Not sure how she'd take me stakin' him. But if he is playin' both sides of the portal I'm not going to be able to ignore it.
On a side note, Billie's been hinting that she isn't happy in her job no more. Not sure what her trouble is but I would be hard pressed to find a more qualified dame to run things in the front office. Gonna have ta figure a way to smooth thing over or she might blow. And though it pains me to say it...this is one dame I don't wanna see blow.

Dex Diary Entry: Sept 15th, 1938

2010-10-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

Sept. 15th 1938:
After my little chat with Fritz, it seemed like a good time to take a stroll to Spook Town. Frank and De should be aware of what I learned. Frank is well connected on their side having the only speak easy worth speaking about over there. Every Thing in Spook Town ends up at his place... and a lot of dirty dealing is done during Delila's dancing doll show.
Beside the acquisition of news, it would be great to see old Delila again. Just to be clear, when I say 'old' it ain't a put down. Delila is old, literally... she's three hundred if she's a day... not that you'd ever see her during the day... being a Vamp puts the cap on that possibility.
Yeah, she's a Vamp... I am romantically involved with a Vampire...so what? As far as I can tell the difference between a Norm Fem and a blood thirsty Vampire is that Vampires don't lie about it while they're draining the life outta ya!
Frank didn't seem surprised to hear the news. Seems he'd been suspecting something like this for a while. A lot of fang wagging had been going on around town and more than a few of the younger (100 years old or so) Vamps had been acting up; despite the Council's warnings. Frank told me he'd get me a list of some Vamps to chat with, and I made my way back to De's dressing room for some much needed R and R... I'll let you figure out what each of the R's are!
After a while Delila and I emerged to find her older brother, Horus, hanging around the bar. Horus is alright... not too happy about De and I... but what brother would be? I'm sure he thinks she'll get tired of me soon and drain me once and for all. He might be right as dames can be fickle, undead or not. Frank and I asked Horus if he had been privy to any Vamp unrest as he serves on the Council with Frank... he hadn't heard anything but told us he'd look into it too.
Makes me feel good knowing everyone is so willing to help guide a dick in the right direction. I said my good-byes and came back home to Our Fair City.
When I got back to the office, I found Manix Marlow there... and what he had to tell me shocked me to the core.

September 13th 1938

2010-08-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

(an excerpt from Dex Dixon's Personal Diary)
Sept 13th 1938:
Took a walk to City Park West tonight trailing a lead on a couple Were's. The word is these dogs have been terrorizing Norms every night. Generally I look the other way long as no one gets hurt, but with Vamp activity on the rise, and the frequency of the reports, a mug can't be too careful. If nothing else it was an opportunity to get some answers.
After a quick sweep of the area I decided to cool my heals and wait em out. It wasn't long till a couple of hair-bags rolled into my sight. A couple of mangy Weres, wild and up to no good. I confronted em and one of the fools tried to bite me. I smacked him on the kisser with a rolled up post and sent him running with a crotch full of tail and some big sad eyes. The other one wasn't so lucky. I decided to take him for a walk on a very short leash.
The Were's name is Fritz, it turns out, and he and his litter have been digging into Our Fair City deeper and deeper each night for weeks now. He wasn't too interested in spilling his guts to me, but if ya know how to talk to a Were you'd be surprised how much information you can squeeze out. I know how to communicate, and I know how to squeeze. Fritz opened up like a ripe melon...gave me a few names to follow up on concerning some pesky Vamps I been trailing...turns out the Weres been working for em scouting territories out and reporting back. Seems like they are using them as a probe in preparation of a full scale invasion. A Vamp invasion of our side ain't something I'm interested in let happen.
I let the mangy Fritz go after I smacked him around some and gave him a message for his boss! City off limits, no vacancy! And he ran off into the night leaving me with a few answers, a lot more questions, and hands that smell like a wet dog.

DEX DIXON Diary Uncovered

2010-07-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Date Line July 12th 2010.
Story by : Scoops Collins III

Long after the disappearance of legendary Paranormal Investigator, Dex Dixon. The police of Our Fair City have been holding on to personal items abandoned in Dixon's off ice back in 1949. Though many have sought to view these items in days past, they were always met with opposition from the Police Department and City Hall. Now however, a little over sixty years since Dixon vanished, his possessions have become declassified and made public once more.
This reporter was one of the first in line to view some of these treasures. And what I uncovered has to be the most amazing story that I have had the privilege to report.
As some of you may know I am a third generation reporter. My Grandfather Scoops Collins Sr. had a friendship with Dex Dixon during his reign as king Spook Dick. Due to that friendship, Dex had promised to deliver to my grandfather certain documents if anything should ever happen to him. And then something did. And the city swooped in and confiscated every earthly possession Mr. Dixon had accumulated over the years.
Since 1949 my family has been battling in City Hall to have restored to us what was rightfully ours. Dex Dixon's Diary. And yesterday, faithful readers, that is precisely what happened.
And now, sixty years later I am in a position to tell you the events that lead up to his mysterious vanishing act. In fact the story goes much further back. The diary documents events ten years prior to those occurring in Oct or 1949. And soon I will be sharing that story with you, faithful and excited readers!
Beginning next week I will bring you the Pre-Episodic Adventures of Dex Dixon: Paranormal Dick. But you must be a follower of this exclusive Blog so join us today and follow along as I reveal the history behind one of Our Fair City's greatest heros. Dex Dixon.

InvestedIn Donation Site On Line

2010-03-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

So you wanna be in pictures? Or at least involved in the creation of one. Well here is a chance to help out our amazing series and get in on the action. Steve has set up a donation site with InvestedIn an on line donation site. With your donation of $1000.00 you can be involved in a major scene in the film as a classic movie monster. Werewolf, Zombie, or Vampire OH MY! With a guaranteed screen appearance, a copy of the DVD when completed, A signed Movie Poster and Production credit in the credits of the episodes and final film and on our web site. For all the details please visit InvestedIn. And for updates, and production information visit us at the official Dex Dixon Site.

2010-03-16T08:02:00.001-07:00

Wow...modern times. Now I can blog from my phone. Ohhhhhhh......

What's Up With My Dick?

2010-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

Never fear faithful followers! Dex is still creeping steadily forward. We have been bogged down with details of late, our writer/star has been a little busy playing Max Bialystock in "The Producers" and that has pushed us back a bit. Plans still in motion to shoot a Dexiverse Tale and a test shoot for episode one.
Unlike our other shorts and films, Dex requires a bit more planning. We really have something special here and we have no intention of doing this project half-assed. No we will give this project the full-ass treatment.
We still move forward developing music, chatting with Christina Kortum about effects make-up...and speculating on how we can raise the money to pull this hummer off! Believe me this will blow your socks off.
Till next time! Keep an eye out for our favorite Dick!

Moving Forward...Slowly but Movement None The Less

2010-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey there to all 3 of our loyal followers. We are slowly and steadily solidifying our Dex plans. Creating new events and features, forging new friendships and gathering resources to make Dex Dixon as great as it can be. So many wonderful people have expressed interest in the project or have signed on to be a part of it.
I have musicians working on an original score and I have written some original songs...yes, songs. You have to know that every director wants to shoot a musical...and though this isn't fully a musical, it does have some musical numbers tucked away inside.
I have also aquired permisssion to use the amazing song "I Scare Myself" (go to the Dex Dixon site www.dexdixon.com and check out "The Buzz" page to hear a sample of it).
I have been speaking to Portland's finest Special Effects make-up artist, Christina Kortum, about the look of our Spooks! Very exciting stuff. I will keep you informed as we continue.

Thanks For The Help, Carl

2009-11-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Dex Dixon Team, wants to thank Carl Jameson for all the help he gave the project. Unfortunately, Carl will be unable to Co-Direct the project in March.
We have decided to bring back someone we spoke to at the onset of the creative process. I have worked with this person on several projects and have always enjoyed the results. He is a big fan and expert on physical comedy and we are blessed to have him.Dex welcomes Tim Giugni to the team! We look forward to what Tim will add to the project and to bringing the Dexiverse to our viewers soon.
Steve and Galvin will be filming a five page short story which takes place in the Dexiverse in December. Watch for these special short films to start coming more often building to our release of the premier episode of Dex Dixon in June of 2010!

Dex Promo Filmed...Get Ready to SELL!!!

2009-11-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

Steve Coker, Harold Phillips, and Carl Jameson have been gearing up to market Dex Dixon to potential investors...part of that process is the filming of a promo designed to introduce investors (in this case potential partners with product placement).
On Saturday the trio converged on Cine Rent West to shot a direct address advert. We had some great help out there of course. producer Patti Adkins and her husband Dennis, AD Melissa Hill and Galvin Collins and Chris Davis came out to help us shoot the thing too. Carl even brought in Rose, an amazing make-up artist, to help us look good in front of the HD camera lenses! I have begun the editing process for the video and it is looking pretty good. Soon you will need to visit our web page to see the promo and get caught up on all the happenings in the Dexiverse!

What's Up Now?

2009-10-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

What is Steve doing looking so guilty? Well it is cause you caught him working on Dex Dixon!

Steve, Illya, Jerry, Patty and Dennis all showed up for beginning fight choreography for some fight for the upcoming production.

As we mentioned before, we are working with Greater Than Gravity and AIM Academy of Martial Arts on the stunts for Dex Dixon.

The young men of GTG are helping us to develop the fighting styles for Werewolves and Vampires and integrating those styles into the combat.

Suddenly Steve realizes how old and out of shape he is...he better get his act together cause he is going to get beat up on this project for sure.

Below please find some pics of the team at work. Thanks to Patti Adkins for the photos.

Shoot Dates Moved Back

2009-10-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hello there. Yes it is true we have made a decision to postpone the shoot for a few months. There are several reasons we have chosen to do so...but they all come down to the quality of the piece. We are very proud of Dex Dixon and we want to give it every chance to succeed. Some of that success lies in it's ability to show well with great make-up, costumes, locations, etc. In order to have all those elements mesh with great story, actors, and music...we need a bit more time. In the mean time we will continue to develop the web site, shoot support pieces, organize a behind the scenes documentary, work the fights with our pals Greater Than Gravity, and design stunning sets and makeup.
I know that we are making the right decision and Dex will only benefit from the choice.

Fan Art Sought and Appreciated

2009-10-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

So Mr. Jackson made this nice poster design and sent it to us. Thanks! Which reminds me that I wanted to throw out a challenge. We are looking to create a page on our web site dedicated to fan art. The Dexivesre is rich and dark and many stories lay just beneath the surface. Draw a picture of Dex fighting the evils in the dark, create a radio play or short story...heck even film your own short adventure. Submit it, and if it is cool we will feature it on the site.

Stunt Team Added to Dixon Lineup

2009-10-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

I had a meeting today with Harold Phillips in regard to the fights in Dex Dixon. He had some great ideas. I am excited to start working on them. After that meeting I ran out to Aim High Academy of Martial Arts in Beaverton. AIM HIGH SITE
I had lunch with Cyrus Cross and Daniel Sikkens two of the amazing members of Greater Than Gravity. If you recall in my last Blog Post I had a link to some video of these guys in action...truly amazing stuff. The gentlemen have signed on to not only fill in a couple of roles that needed their particular skills, but also to work with our production team to create the fights in the script.
These folks will definitely add flair to our film. I think this adventure may kill me as I am no match for the athleticism of these guys.

Greater Than Gravity

2009-09-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

So I was fortunate enough to get a call from these guys...They want to join us on this film as stunties!!!!! Check them out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtpfXbYMvb4

Crew Meetings Begining

2009-09-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today I am meeting with Melissa Hill, Christen Kimbell, and Mr. Jay Jaacks! Some of the fine folks who are interested in crewing up on Dex Dixon.

I am so blessed to have so many folks wanting to lend their incredible talents and time into this adventure.

In addition we have had an enormous amount of response for martial artists and dancers who would like to help out as dancing/fighting Werewolves and Zombies and Vampires...OH MY!

As time ticks away we have to get organized and these fine folks will be key to that happening. Thank you all so much!

Photo Shoot, SFX, and More

2009-09-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Well we keep on plugging away at Mr. Dixon's universe. Last Friday I went to visit Mr. Galvin Collins who was excited to help us shoot a few Noir shots to promote Dex Dixon.

They turned out great. On the side panel you can find a slide show with some of the pictures.

Carl Jameson and I had a meeting with a local Special Effects Make-up artist as well to discuss the requirements of this shoot. There is so much planning that goes into a shoot like this...it can become a bit overwhelming at times. But also exciting.

We are receiving a lot of response from some ads we placed looking for martial artists and dancers to play the denizens of our world as well. I am excited by the enthusiastic response so far.

On the web site look for the "Contact Dex" link for Dex's direct phone line. Give him a call sometime. Especially if you have a case that needs solving.

We are still working on locations scouting as well...and we need a few key crew members. If you know anyone with a film background looking for a fun project...have them contact us at info@lazyeyefilms.net.

Assembling the Pieces

2009-09-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

As the script has come together it has become clear that this project will require such an assemblage of talent in so many areas. Of course there is the actors. Need them, of course. I think I have assembled some of the best people for this adventure. Some are people I have worked with before, some whom I have wanted to work with, and some who have never done this sort of thing before.

As for crewing up; well a lot of it is in the air. I can say that Harold Phillips and Jerry Buxbaum have joined up and will be helping to create the fights and stunts of the Dexiverse. I am very excited to work with both of these fellas on this project. (They are both acting in it as well).

I am chatting with several people in regard to SFX....I hope we can find the perfect fit for us.

Look for original music by Ken Webster and Quintin Rice as well.

Many great people are stepping up to help out on this thing and it will benefit from such a great array of talent, experience, and enthusiasm.

Here is a list of acting talent attached so far:
Mercedes Rose, Harold Phillips, Marcella Laasch, John San Nicolas, Illya Torres, Dennis Adkins, Michael Benson, Bianca Benson, Jerry Buxbalm, Terri Lodge, and introducing Mary Jane.

As I said some great people...and I am assembling a cast of thousands to play Zombies, Vamps and Werewolves. I can not wait to start shooting!

Dex on the Web

2009-09-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

So Dex Dixon now has a web presence. A Facebook Page and a New Web site have been created.

Web Site can be found at www.dexdixon.com

Facebook Page can be accessed from the main web site as well. Check it out and become a friend or fan.

We have also added a video feature here on our blog that showcases some of my earlier films and student films. You can watch a few here or click on the You Tube Link to see more on our You Tube Account.

Dex Gets Up and Runnin'

2009-09-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

We had not intended to film Dex Dixon so quickly. In fact we were working on another project slated to begin production in the Summer of 2010. However circumstances came up that made the prospect of filming Dex sooner much more appealing.

Those circumstances have since gone away....but Dex plugs onward. We are planning to shoot in November with a budget of Zero! Yeah!!!!

I love starting a project with no money....as we continue money will be spent, but in the interim we go forward as if we will have none. I find this helps me to be much more creative as a filmmaker and we solve problems not bury them in cash to make them go away.

Being Steve Coker; writer, producer, director and sometimes actor, I had sort of written the character of Dex to play myself (Shit. Like Orson Welles I guess)...but that left a problem. I had an auteur attitude toward the project since it was so unique and was really based in my own sensibilities as a comedy writer...so how could I star in it and direct it as well. I couldn't! So I had to make a tough decision act or direct.

If I acted it, I was trusting someone else with my vision....scary. And if I directed it, there was a chance Dex wouldn't work as well as I knew the character could as I would be distracted with the technical aspects of the work and unable to really hone in on the character with an actor who had there own ideas and needs as a performer. I really was too selfish to let either of these things happen (Shit. Like Orson Welles I guess).

I eventually opted to direct it...but of course those who knew me were like, "Dude, who's gonna be Dex? It's totally you, man"

I decided to act it. But my wife was like, "Dude, are you seriously gonna be able to trust someone else with your vision?" AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

But then Carl Jameson and I had a meeting. He read Dex and liked it enough to sign on to the project as a CO-Director recognising that I had a vision for the piece, and being willing to work with me on maintaining that while focusing his attention on Cinematography and direction from behind the camera. He also came with a ton of experience in webisodic film making....an area Dex would fit into nicely in it's episodic format. Carl was the creator of the web series "The Bicyclist" and the feature film "The Bicyclists" based on that popular series.

I am so relieved that Carl has come on board...now I am sure that Dex will turn out as good as I see it in my own head....if not better!

We are slowly but surely assembling our cast as well...more on that to come!

The Birth of an Idea. Breach Style!

2009-09-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

So where does a story like Dex Dixon come from?

Flashback to 2006...we were working on a 48hr Film. We had selected "Silent Film" as our mystery category and we were having a blast with it. As a director I loved the immediacy of the direction. Since there was no sound, I could shout out suggestions while rolling and the reactions of the actors was so spontaneous that I was instantly in love with the whole silent film process.

I had also been a long time opposed to student Zombie Films...I felt that everyone wanted to make one and that it is rarely done with originality...though I do love Shaun of the Dead....and the remake of Dawn of the Dead is rockin...Okay I love Zombie films! But my point was originality. After the silent film, I envisioned a silent Zombie movie with Buster Keaton acting coupled with true-gore effects...sick and twisted shit, ya know?

I had also been toying around with the thought of doing a Noir film...but again every Tom, Dick, and Film Student made one of those every twenty minutes in America. I wanted to make these types of films...but I didn't want to make a cliche' of any of them....

I had also had an epiphany one evening while watching a film in the beautifully restored Columbia Theatre in Saint Helens...I wondered what had happened to the cool cliff hanger serials they once played prior to the Saturday matinee? Why did they ever go out of style? I even asked the owner of the theatre if he would play a serial like that if they still were being made. He said he would love to and I was all....hummmmmmmmm.

The final piece of the puzzle came together one evening while I was referencing The Next Generation's Captain Picard's fictional detective Dixon Hill...I mistakenly referred to him as Dex Dixon...oops! A slip of the tongue, but it made me laugh and I quickly added the moniker; Paranormal Dick. Which made me laugh even more. What a great character name!

So here I was left with a character name for a detective, a desire to make a monster movie, and an itch to make a gritty film noir piece, and the mission to revive the 10 minute cliff hanger serials of old...Well the answer was simple. Combine the Genre...Play up the Cliche' elements...Add some musical numbers...And make it an Episodic Comedy/Horror/Noir Cliffhanger Serial.

That's right; Dick Tracy meets Scooby-Doo meets Abbot and Costello meets The Wolfman! Place all the elements in an episodic cliffhanger serial and let 'er rip!

Why the hell not? And that is how the idea was born.

Dex Dixon Investigations now open for business.

2009-09-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hello, I am writer, producer, director and sometimes actor, Steve Coker. You can see me here to the left...am I not pretentious looking?
It's all a front.

I am the creator of the Dex Dixon Universe...or Dexiverse as it has been coined by my pal, Harold Phillips.

Welcome to our blog.

The goal of this blog will be to catalog the progress of creating a new web based serial adventure series from conception to completion.

We will follow our team of filmmakers as they battle the lack of budgetary funds and never ending obstacles that continuously face our intrepid band!
We will revel the secrets of the truly indie filmmaker and how they finagle and beg their way into having truly top-notch performers, crew and support staff work on their picture for spec and deferment.

Come WITNESS the frustration of scheduling a 10 episode adventure with thirteen characters who all have differing schedule conflicts.

SEE the awesome spectacle of costuming a period piece with a budget of Zero!

THRILL as we sing and dance our way into your film loving hearts.

I give you....Dex Dixon: Paranormal Dick!