The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels

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Who is Ted V. Mikels?

American filmmaker Ted V. Mikels holds a unique position as one of the most unconventional directors of exploitation cinema. Famous for his eccentric home life (he once lived with a harem in a castle with secret passageways) and promotional gimmicks (he was known for having nurses and ambulances on hand to assist "scared-to-death" moviegoers), Mikels is now considered a pioneering master of low-budget movie making.

Examples of Mikels' influence can be seen everywhere: from music (punk band The Misfits wrote a tribute song called "The Astro-Zombies"), to Mikels' film The Doll Squad being the template for the television series Charlie's Angels, to inspiring the look of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

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Return to Ted V. Mikels filmography

Astro Zombies M4: Invaders From Cyberspace

Now in development! Watch this space for all the latest news.

Teaser trailer

Press

Astro Zombies M4: Invaders From Cyberspace Trailer Now Showing
Blue Heron International Pictures Press Release, June 14, 2011

TVM Global Entertainment's upcoming blockbuster movie, Astro Zombies M4: Invaders From Cyberspace has a new teaser trailer now showing on YouTube. The film is the fourth in the immensely popular Astro Zombies franchise, first created back in 1968 by director Ted V. Mikels.

"Martin Schmidt, our second unit director in Berlin, created absolute sheer panic at the Brandenburg Gate," said associate producer Richard Lester. "He assembled a huge crowd of extras and had them flee on foot, on bicycles, mini-vehicles - all in total chaos. We are delighted that this teaser trailer features several of the scenes shot in Berlin!"

Read full press release with photos

Astro Zombies Create Panic In Berlin
Blue Heron International Pictures Press Release, May 3, 2011

When it comes to staging mass terror at some of the world's most recognizable landmarks, Martin Schmitt knows how to make it all look very real - and definitely very scary.

Schmitt is the second unit director in London and Berlin for TVM Global Entertainment's upcoming blockbuster movie, Astro Zombies M4: Invaders From Cyberspace. The film is the fourth in the immensely popular Astro Zombies franchise, first created back in 1968 by director Ted V. Mikels.

"Martin created absolute sheer panic at the Brandenburg Gate," said associate producer Richard Lester. "He assembled a huge crowd of extras and had them flee on foot, on bicycles, mini-vehicles - all in total chaos. I wouldn't be surprised if a few real tourists got caught up in the crowd and started running alongside the actors as well!"

Read full press release with photos

Ted V. Mikels' Astro Zombies Coming Again To Florida
Blue Heron International Pictures Press Release, Dec. 31, 2010

Electrified blue hand coming out of laptop screen into man's face

Gary Lester coaxes Astro Zombies
out of his laptop.

TVM Global Entertainment, in association with Blue Heron International Pictures, announced today that the new year will see another close collaboration between the two film companies.

"We are starting the year off with ASTRO ZOMBIES M4: INVADERS FROM CYBERSPACE," said associate producer Richard Lester.

"Our award-winning director, Gary Lester, will be working as assistant director on principal photography in Las Vegas in March, alongside legendary director Ted V. Mikels. Gary will also be working as second unit director for all of the scenes to be shot in Florida. We are scouting locations and establishing a talent pool of Florida actors as we speak."

Read full press release

Here is a detailed writeup from actor Ed Tucker.

See also

The Astro-Zombies
Mark of the Astro-Zombies
Astro-Zombies M3: Cloned

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