The United Police State of America is Beginning Watch it here: Escape From Arizona

Welcome Home A short film I Directed a couple years ago is now up on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/theduderaul

I am very proud to announce Demented Entertainment's latest project. A twisted modern novel: Alice's Bloody Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and Raul Alberto Contreras Illustrated by Veronica Rosado Minarro

Remember that World of Warcraft spec teaser trailer I was working on over a year ago? Well it is completed you can see it here: http://blindingfilms.com/BFsite_NEW/home.html Since Sam Raimi is making WoW into a feature it looks like the CGI work will be going in another direction. Blinding Films is currently looking to make their own rival motion picture.

It has been almost 8 months since my very nasty ankle break working for the History Channel's "Sniper: Inside the crosshairs". This Sunday December 20, 2009 at 9pm is the premiere.

There has been some interesting stories surrounding the World wide travels of Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt. This little film has traveled the globe on it's own. I am going to try and record all of them: A couple of weeks ago I got a call from one of my actors in Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt. He had just got an e-mail from a Marine Corps Captain in Afghanistan. His squad was hanging out watching movies. Apparently the U.S. Military has a huge movie library. Well the Marine came across a burned DVD that had a cover written in black sharpie. The Marines decided to put it in because they liked the name on the jacket. He said they watched the flick and laughed their butts off. It turns out the film was Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt. How this little film of mine has made it to the U.S. Marine Corps movie library, I have no idea. It really is the film that could. A year ago I heard about Sonny Chiba (Kill Bill/The Street Fighter) watching a copy in Japan. He really enjoyed the film but was upset when it wasn't a feature. Today I am meeting with a Producer about finally making Serial Killer into a feature film!

Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt: The Video Game? Maybe! That is what we are looking into as I write this. A perfect game for this era. Keep the fingers crossed!

The full version of Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt is now up on Youtube.com Act 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsilXR4TQgs Act 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p99HFBTo5E8 Act 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXOv6Zu9Kss Never got to complete this short film...but here it is. Hope you enjoy. -Raul

A new Oz image.

One of the Greatest actors ever has requested and now has a copy of The Land of Oz. If anyone reads this please send good karma!

Here are a few more early Production Design ideas for Oz. Jack and the Tin Woodsman at Glinda's Jack in the Land of the Gillikins Jack in Emerald City

The Land of Oz is now Registered at the Library of Congress Copywright Office by Raul Contreras. Number: PAu3-358-568

A couple of updates: Oz...it seems no one knows who holds the Rights to "The Land of Oz". We have to physically go to The Library of Congress and find out. That begins tomorrow! SKSH...the little film that wont die. Big Jed informs me that while attending a festival in Oklahoma they played my little film on the big screen to a enthusiastic audience. It just keeps going and going all on it's own merits...fascinating.

Here are some new pre-production production design images of Oz's deadly deserts. I am thinking of a Salvador Dali approach.

My adaptation to The Land of Oz was registered with the Writers Guild of America today. #1276127

Some additional images for my "Land of Oz" Greg Burgan formally of Stan Winston Studios has begun construction on the Tin Woodsman. This is the beginning of a classic...I can feel it in my bones...now I am starting to see it! -Raul

Here is some early design work. The characters are "borrowed" from Return to Oz, which are designed directly from W.W. Denslow's original drawlings. I am playing with a desaturated look and an over-saturated look. This week I begin making my own characters so I can continue with the design work.

I might not have been working since that crazy strike but I have been writing! I've come up with a very unique, eclectic, artistic approach for a new yet familiar classic. This week I will have finished adapting "The Land of Oz" My approach is to do the film almost entirely green screen. I'm not looking for Lord of the Rings or 300...a much more creative and inexpensive approach. I've been working with some top Sony Imageworks animators...they have offered to help and give me the animation/editing software I need. (I did animation in college) The beauty of this project is OZ...everyone one knows it around the world. Easy sell. I just have to make the costumes and props...the rest I will do with guidance from my Sony guys. Wish me luck!

World of Warcraft Yes, I have contributed to the "crack" of the masses. We filmed a spec teaser of WoW for Legendary Pictures in hopes of landing the movie. I was Production Designer and 1st AD on the teaser. Enjoy the photos!

A must see! Demented Entertainment's very own Joe McQueen has broken into a buzz around Hollywood. Please go watch. Confessions of a Superhero when it comes to your town. Available now on DVD. Buy at Amazon.com On a side note please be on the look out for The History Channel's Andrew Jackson. I was Art Director and if you look closely during the Battle of New Orleans you will see my mug as a pirate.

Come on down to see the screening of my new short film "Welcome Home". Friday, October 26th, 2007 Wilshire Screening Room 8670 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills R.S.V.P. 818-831-8064

I am pleased to say my new short film called "Welcome Home" was accepted into the Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival. "Welcome Home" among 75 shorts accepted...almost a thousand shorts were submitted. Here are some screen caps.

San Diego Comic Con 2007 Back from the Con. Once again much too crowded. But I got some advertising done for "Die Hippie, Die!" At the Con I ran into a film called "Doomsday"...to my dismay it has a "Die Hippie, Die!" look and feel to it! And there was another film a children's fantasy with Robert DeNiro (I forget the name) that has flying pirate ships very similar to my children's story "The Helium King"! Sometimes it feels as if someone is tapping into my work. When is the $$$ people going to see that? I guess I will keep writing and plugging away...someday my vision will make the big screen. Just a little rant.

I have been working at Fantasy II special effects for the past week. They are the company that received an Academy Award for Terminator 2! Fantasy II is one of the last of the old school special effects houses left. I have been working there on a sci-fi film called "Outlander" starring Jim Caviezel (Jesus of "The Passion"). We sunk a section of a space ship into their huge water tank and turned the bottom into a sea bed. All fun stuff...next week I move onto a zombie movie...I only wish it was one of mine. One day.

Just finished Directing a short film. It is a creepy, gothic tale about a woman blindfolded and chained to an old radiator heater. (We don't have an official title...but I personallly like Welcome Home. Lots of fun...great Cast, an amazing hard working D.P., fantastic set...just an all around fun film making experience.

So I got this urgent call from Atlanta. The film is a mess and we need you to come out here and straighten them out. Ok...the next day I am on a plane to Atlanta. I step straight into a shitstorm...stories I should not publish yet. It was like herding cats. For the most part I got everything to calm down...everyone was much, much happier...but the major problems remained. Lucky for them they have enough money to throw at the problems...and get that dvd on the shelf...good or bad.

Here is the trailer to "Beyond the Ring" a film I was Production Designer on last year.

Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt's very own Deadman Jed: Starland.com Way to go buddy!

Here is the trailer to the Andrew Jackson History Channel gig.

Just complete principle photography on "The Andrew Jackson Story" for the History Channel. It is going to be airing at the end of the summer...so look for my name as Art Director in the credits and as a Pirate during the "Battle for New Orleans".

Here is a review of a film I did Production Design on a year ago. www.kungfucinema.com

Oh it has been a while. I have been busy filming. At the end of last year I finished working on a horror film called "Hyenas." Just this weekend I finished working on The Andrew Jackson story for The History Channel. I am still pushing ahead with Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt...it is just a hill to climb!

Demented Entertainment has joined MySpace Go take a look and join in!

Today I sent out a mass e-mail. Here is the letter: Hello Everyone, It is time to begin filming my feature film debut with "Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt". A dark comedic horror film about rival serial killers "cleaning out" Los Angeles. In it's essence SKSH is about the loss of the American Dream. A trailer to the short version of "SKSH" is on my website www.DementedEnt.com...of which we get 200 downloads a month! This short film has a life of it's own. Banned from San Diego Comic Con, bootlegged across UCLA, it traveled the world on it's own and has been nominated for best experimental short in 2 film festivals. From a film that started out as a little itch I need to scratch it has grown into a full blown monkey on my back. The great news!? I already have Investors that are ready and willing to FULLY FUND THIS FILM... ...so why am I contacting all of you? Start up costs...the Investors are ready to come on board when Demented Entertainment becomes a LLC.... ...how much to start up? $3000.00 Not alot of money...so why am I asking? Well...I keep getting pulled away into OTHER PEOPLE'S PROJECTS that allow me enough money to survive....but not thrive. It is time to break that cycle... ...so if any of you would like to SEE WHAT I CAN CREATE...DONATE! Humbly, Raul Contreras Wearer of many, many hats Demented Entertainment 5715 Vineland Ave., #24 N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-939-5416 THE QUESTION ASKED ME WAS: What is the rush? Why does Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt has to be shot or completed before April? That is when Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguezs' new film "Grindhouse" comes out. EVERYONE is going to be looking for similar films and SKSH is it. We can be at the right place at the right time. If all goes well...we will ride this wave straight into "Die Hippie, Die!" I have a plan. A vision....Just running out of time.

Just completed a photo shoot with S.A.G Indie's 10th Anniversary. I did the art direction for the shoot. We re-created scenes from Kill Bill, Momento, Clerks, and Nepolian Dynamite with 1o year old kids. It was a fantastic day smooth as silk. I can't wait to see the campaign next year at Sundance.

Sh*t hit the fan. All kinds of nastyness has taken my camera away. As it goes in life...but we march onward. Steve is still recovering from his accident. I am in the process of becoming a LLC...then the potential investors will come onboard....we hope. Meanwhile, I have just finished pick up shots with one of James Bond's villians...Robert Davi. He is finishing his directorial debut with the film "The Dukes". It was a pleasure to work on such a fun project. I hope to rope him into a cameo in Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt. More news to come...

Sending out love and swift recovery to our buddy Steve in Michigan. He was in a car accident yesterday. Through the pain he calls me to tell me that he is still working toward getting all of our financing for Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt. What a trooper! I told him this is just a silly film get better first. You have to love that kind of dedication. This is who we are...we will show this non stop die hard attitude to the world...but first we will wait for Steve to heal. Love you buddy!

The Traverse City Film Festival was this past week. Steve Beukema (whom is doing a bang up job trying to make this film a reality) asked for some advice from Michael Moore on the making of our movie. Moore said "Don't make it in L.A.".

I am amazed at what friends of mine are willing to do to help me make this project a reality and the best film it can be. Two friends of mine from Michigan and Washington D.C. are using their vacation time to come out and work on this film. One friend has enrolled in college to learn how to do the CGI needed in the film. Another one has begun taking acting lessons. One is going to the police dept to take care of his outstanding warrents. Another one is going out on rides with L.A.P.D. to learn the ropes. And one actor has lost 15 lbs!

I am now in the last week as Production Designer on the feature film "Beyond the Ring" starring Martial Arts Champion Andre Lima, Gary Busey (The Buddy Holly Story) and Martin Kove (Karate Kid). There has been some new developments in financing of SKSH...nothing solid to report...just keep the fingers crossed!

Lightning strike twice? Well...no...once again a town full of talkers not doers. It is amazing how many people talk a big game but when it comes to it...nothing. So, I continue on the search for $$$ how fun. If the funds do not come...I will still "do" the film...it might take a year instead of a month...but it will happen...that you can count on.

Basket of eggs. We all know not to count our chickens before they hatch. Well, my basket is filling up with eggs. Lighting was even poised to strike. A Financier called me on Sunday while I was at work, he said he has been in meeting with other financiers and film Distributors all weekend long. At the meeting he spoke of "Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt". The project struck interest in another Financier and a Distributor. They wanted to see a copy of the short, a copy of the script and a budget. Could I get I get a package together and meet them in about 4 hours? I rushed out of work...got a package together and rushed back to work. Only to have my phone die. I have no way of reaching anyone. It is not until the next day that my phone decides to work again...and I find 2 messages on my phone. The three of them waited an hour for me. What could I do? Lighting was striking...I was prepared... The Financier says we can meet next week...lighting twice? I sure hope so...maybe soon I can look in on those chickens.

The Gang getting together to discuss their continuing adventures.

Here is Gizmo wielding one of our new chain saws, a gift by Wendy of www.fabulousmisswendy.com

Ron Althoff, Executive Producer/Writer/Director of "Taken by Force" (A San Francisco cop out for revenge against Chinese Triads) has come on as a Producer. Raul has been working as Ron's Production Designer on Taken by Force, which is currently being sold at the Cannes Film Festival. Ron is providing most of our equiptment and Police Vechicles. www.takenbyforcemovie.com Ron Althoff (IMDB)

Donations: We just got a donation of body parts and blood...with more to come. 6 L.A.P.D. cop cars, a swat van and a whole fleet of 1950's cars have all been donated to the movie. A lighting package and sound system have been donated, along with expendibles A Hospital Location has been donated. 2 houses have been donated.

Hunter S. Thompson's words truly speak to me now. At the age of 39 I have come to understand the struggle of the American Dream. It has cost me alot and given me alot.. life huh? Well, it is time to get past the struggle and achieve it. Will Serial Killer Scavenger Hunt do it for me? Who Knows... I know my dream is to tell this bizarre little story whether it succeeds or not. My camera is just a few dollars away, then I am off.