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S.F. Bay Area diver/filmmaker embarks on film project

By Anonymous

MARTINEZ, CA August 28, 2004 -- “Strange” mix of diving, WWII submarines leads to horrifying production for first-time filmmaker

“Wolf Pack” movie aims to strike fear into filmgoers
En route to a divers’ conference in New Jersey last March, shipwreck enthusiast and aspiring filmmaker Steffan Schulz hoped to catch up on some work during the long flight but was dismayed when his laptop computer died during takeoff. Fortunately for horror movie aficionados, his imagination was in fine working order.

A movie idea conceived during the flight – in which a small team of technical divers discovers a sunken World War II U-boat and its not-so-pleasant inhabitants – has led to a modestly-budgeted, first-time feature film production for the talented electronic media specialist and owner of production company Strange Media (www.strangemedia.com). The film’s title – “Wolf Pack” – is a submarine term used to describe the mass-attack tactics against convoys used by German U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Similar, quick-strike tactics are used in Wolf Pack by the movie’s “sub-mariner” villains.

Investors have committed about $200K thus far for the project, and initial filming has already taken place off the coast of North Carolina. Additional shoots are planned in the San Francisco Bay Area beginning in November.

Schulz’s story draws from his own diving roots and a newfound fascination with shipwrecks that emerged during the four-year production of his television series, “Destination Diving” (www.destinationdiving.com). A travel-oriented series that blends scuba diving education, tropical adventure, and stunning photography, the 13-episode project further opened Schulz’s eyes as to the cinematic possibilities of the sea. The award-winning Destination Diving has enjoyed critical acclaim and stands as one of Schulz’s proudest achievements. The series is currently airing on public television stations nationwide.

While his German heritage and love of history also figured into the creative process, the horror angle was more coincidental, he says.

“Horror is not really my preferred genre,” said Schulz, 37, who has penned a number of other screenplays dealing with subjects as varied as conventional drama, mystery, gangsters, science fiction, and even date rape. But Schulz says sport diving lends itself well to horror stories, as divers often think about the dreadful discoveries they might make beneath the sea. “My diving buddies and I had often fantasized about going on an excursion, encountering a plane or shipwrecked U-boat, and discovering a skeleton in the bomber’s seat,” explains Schulz.

Schulz’s friends and industry colleagues all loved his idea for Wolf Pack, but he remained skeptical about its viability as a commercial product. When he cautiously pitched his idea to World Wide Attraction’s Dan Nelson – a friend whose company includes the film division White Knuckle Entertainment – he was floored by the response. “Dan basically said, ‘I love it. Write it.’ So I did.” Though filming has begun and industry response remains positive – Schulz says he’s been stunned by the number of actors and others who have contacted the company to indicate a desire to work on the project – another $100K is needed in order to make it a reality.

Wolf Pack is set in a small North Carolina coastal town. The lead character, Andrea, leads a small group of divers on an excursion for sunken treasure, and Schulz said he was careful to pay close attention to the technical nuances of the divers’ dialogue and exploits. Still, the script is peppered with dark humor and references to German culture, even when things turn grim.

Characters to be cast include Andrea, who Schulz describes as an “emotionally strong, athletic, girl next door-type”; her ornery mother; several dive crew members; and a number of violent, bloodthirsty “sub-mariners” who wreak havoc on those who get in their way.

Though Wolf Pack marks his feature film debut, Schulz is far from an industry novice. He has written, directed, or produced some 50 commercials, hundreds of corporate videos, promotional spots, and product launch pieces over the course of a 17-year career, with a client list that has included 3Com, Pacific Bell, Sony, Apple Computer, SBC, and Silicon Graphics.

Asked about his long-term goals, Schulz doesn’t hesitate. “I’d like to see Wolf Pack make it into theatrical release. Then, I want to develop more feature films.” If Wolf Pack can scare up the right kind of business, he should be well on his way.

Media contact:
Mike Janes
925/964-0441
mikejanes@comcast.net



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