by Sarah A. Peterson-Camacho

As he gears up for an appearance at the Tulare Sci-Fi Con 2017 the second weekend of March, Fresno filmmaker Matt Sconce (director of locally shot films Stricken, Firefall, and Altar) sat down with Kings River Life to discuss his latest project, a 10-episode sci-fi web series called SuperBlam.

KRL: How did the idea for SuperBlam come about? Why a web series?

Matt: I have always been fascinated with superheroes, especially with the aspect of normal, everyday people acquiring superpowers. One day, I decided to take it even further. What if socially awkward, superhero wannabes ended up with superpowers? That is SuperBlam.

A web series gives me a chance to explore the characters in a way that is very different from a movie. I was drawn to the idea of fans being excited before each new episode, and then anticipating the next, learning about the characters bit by bit.

KRL: You stated that you have always been into superheroes, why do you think that is? Which ones have inspired you, and SuperBlam, the most?

Matt: I love what they stand for as they sacrifice their time and safety for the protection of the innocent. Superman and Batman had the most influence on my life growing up.

KRL: What is your film background?

Matt: I started making feature films in 2009, and have produced seven features since then. I have directed three of those features, but have also written feature screenplays as well, including the 10 episodes of the first season of SuperBlam.

KRL: What is the plot of SuperBlam?

Matt: What if absolutely inept human beings received superpowers and had to save us all? SuperBlam is the story of six wannabe heroes who do just that.

KRL: Who are the main characters, and the actors who play them?

Matt: Gregory Tharpe plays the leader of SuperBlam, the Blazing Inferno; Brett Prieto is Punch Nugget. My wife Heather Sconce plays Sweet Pea, Paul Pavelski is Epic Man, Christina Lyons stars as Death Blossom, and Patrick Nalty portrays Super Steve.

Tharpe, Pavelski, and Lyons all starred in my second feature film Firefall, while Prieto was the lead in the newest movie I was a producer on, Victory by Submission (which was directed by [actor and former Fresno mayor] Alan Autry).

Nalty appeared in my most recent film Altar, alongside Tharpe, and my lovely wife Heather starred in Firefall, my first film Stricken, and also in the movie Finding Hope Now.

KRL: How have the actors prepared for their roles?

Matt: They have all had the scripts for several years, and we do table reads as well.

KRL: What part of the Central Valley are you from, and how has the Valley provided a backdrop for the story?

Matt: I’ve made most of my movies in the Central Valley, around Fresno, Madera, Avenal, and other surrounding communities. SuperBlam, however, takes place in Fresno itself, and that is the backdrop for the story.

KRL: What is your favorite superhero film? Also, do you prefer Marvel or DC, and why?

Matt: Strangely enough, my favorite superhero film is Super, starring Rainn Wilson (from the TV show The Office), as well as Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, and Kevin Bacon. It was directed by James Gunn, who did Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s a very dark film, but amazing.

As for Marvel and DC, I think Marvel has a better track record for creating widely enjoyed superhero movies, but I love both Marvel and DC. I’m a superhero movie junkie, so if they make it, I will watch it.

The cast of SuperBlam will be at the Tulare Sci-Fi Con 2017, the weekend of March 11-12, 2017. For more information on SuperBlam and when the episodes are up on YouTube, please visit www.superblam.com.

Sarah A. Peterson-Camachois a library assistant with Fresno County Library, with a Bachelor’s in English and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from California State University, Fresno. In her free time, she makes soap and jewelry that she sells at Fresno-area craft fairs. She has written for The Clovis Roundup and the Central California Paranormal Investigators (CCPI) Newsletter.