Xbox LIVE to Deliver Original Short Films

SAN DIEGO, July 23:
Microsoft is continuing to beef up the content offerings available to Xbox
users, announcing plans to deliver a set of original, comedic short-film pilots
from horror producers.

The pilots will be available
on Xbox LIVE this fall for free. The initiative was conceived by filmmaker
James Gunn (Slither, Dawn of
the Dead) and producer Peter
Safran (Scary Movie, Meet
the Spartans, Disaster Movie). Microsoft is teaming up with Safran Digital
Group to produce these exclusive shorts.

Among those working on
short films for the new offering include James Wan (Saw, Death Sentence), David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy), Lucky McKee (The Woods),
Andrew Douglas (The Amityville Horror) and Marcus Nispel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th). All of the pilots will be free either for
download or streaming on Xbox LIVE. Titles include Doggie Heaven (Woof!), Humanzee!, MEATDOG: What's Fer' Dinner, Blue Like You and The
Miracle of Phil.

In addition, Microsoft has
sought pilots from emerging online talent John Clisham, who is developing Assorted
Nightmares: The Janitor.

"We're excited to
launch the Xbox original content with these world-class directors, who are all
tremendously talented and at the cutting edge of their craft," Safran
said. "Their youthful and innovative approach is the perfect combination
for this unique digital venture with Xbox 360, and we expect to see some very
creative, horrifying and hilarious shorts as these masters of horror present
their comedic vision.”

—By Mansha Daswani