The mission of American Vintage Pictures is to produce new films with a style and feel similar to B-Movies, Drive-in Films, and grindhouse/cult classics from the sixties and seventies. Started by writer/producer and director Mike Olafson, the productions are often shot primarily- if not totally- on either Super 8mm film or 16mm film. We have some exciting projects in store for 2024 including production of a feature titled, "The Black Canvas", a giallo styled occult action/mystery based upon the novella written by Mike Olafson, which is being published through Pulp Planet Paperbacks in 2024. Additionally, we are planning some new construction at "Vista Morada"- our 36 acre movie ranch in Southern Colorado.
New Films, Vintage Style
Mike Olafson
Writer and Filmmaker Mike Olafson is a undeniably a product of 1960s and 1970s pop culture. Movies, books, comics, magazines, motorcycles, design, fashion- you name it. That era imprinted Olafson with a cultural DNA which drives his vision of creating films and books with a vintage style today. " I think films from the sixties and seventies have elements which really set them apart from contemporary films today. Same for the printed page- books, comics, whatever it was- the 60s and 70s really delivered some iconic creative properties which endure to this day. I try to weave those same distinctive textures, rhythms, and cues into the books and films I create."
Westword Article on American Vintage Pictures
January 2018
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http://www.westword.com/arts/hot-lead-hard-fury-premieres-at-the-oriental-theater-9888017
Hot Lead Hard Fury
GEARS, GREASE AND GUITARS
Fist of Frankenstein
We are proud to release this 4 page comic book which sets up the story of our next feature film. It introduces the character of KT Streeter- a reluctant undercover agent with special powers sent on a dangerous mission into the heart of the criminal underworld. It's a classic noir story at its core-wrapped up in layers of martial arts and old school horror! The comic book was written by Mike Olafson and Scorpio Steele, and beautifully designed and illustrated by Scorpio Steele.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Gears, Grease and Guitars
Director Mike Olafson spent 2 years documenting Denver's history of rock and roll and hot rodding- a match made in America. In 2008 he premiered his film to a sold out crowds and it has gained attention from viewers around the world.
Olafson removed it from circulation in 2012 but under the American Vintage Pictures banner it is scheduled to stream on the new PulpFlixx network. Details soon
Bullets
From Beyond
New Mexico Territory, 1873: Occult Detective tony monaco, a mysterious fortune teller named Domino, and a team of outlaw comancheros race a powerful sorcerer and his demon riders to find an ancient aztec treasure that hides beneath a lost spanish mission. but for some adventurers, a more supernatural reward awaits. Filmed in 16mm, this is our homage to those gritty and stylish italo-spanish-french westerns made in the sixties and Seventies- with a dash of the supernatural! Look for the graphic novel soon!
Motor Vixens
A lonely highway, 1965. The paths of five travelers intersect as a killer is loose on the road. Shot in high contrast black and white 16mm, this is Olafson's 18 minute tribute to sixties indie film maverick Russ Meyer. Soon to be streaming on PULPFLIXX.
Books
The Amulet of Atlantis
As a writer, Mike Olafson has written features and shorts, but also published his vintage adventure novel back in 2005. Set in 1938, it weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense and adventure in the wilds of the African jungles. If you enjoy James Bond, Indiana Jones and Doc Savage- this book has all three elements! The novel is available through Amazon.com Click HERE to buy.
For fans of true life
Indiana Jones tales,
this is the book for you! 22 tales of true adventure from the "shadows" of history! Beautiful cover and illustrations by Simon Pritchard. Click HERE to buy.
Forgotten Frontiers
Coming Soon- Spring 2024...
Conspiracy and Sorcery Clash in Mike Olafson's Newest Novella-
THE BLACK CANVAS
1473: Vlad the Impaler, the bloodthirsty ruler behind the Dracula legend, paints a canvas using the blood of a slain enemy warrior. As centuries pass, the painting grows in legend as having the power to conjure demons from hell itself. In hushed corners it becomes known as “The Black Canvas”.
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1945: Hitler’s secret “occult” division scours Italy for the legendary painting, but the efforts of a gypsy and her lover thwart their attempts as they sneak it out to safety in the United States.
1973: The Black Canvas is stolen from a museum in Taos, New Mexico. As a series of grisly murders ensues, antique hunter Simon Sandhu is hired by a wealthy recluse to find the painting.
In his search, Simon encounters freelance journalist Samantha Chase and together they become drawn into a web of a CIA conspiracy, Nazis in hiding, and a gypsy sorceress hell-bent on wreaking supernatural vengeance!
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Author Mike Olafson (The Amulet of Atlantis) brings this tale of intrigue and occult mystery to life as he introduces the reader to Simon Sandhu, known in eccentric circles around the world as “The Seeker”!
VISTA MORADa
MOVIE RANCH
Located a few miles off lonely Highway 350 in Southern Colorado, Vista Morada is our developing 36 acre private movie ranch we use for various film projects. Plans are in place to erect a replica of a 17th century Spanish Mission- similar to ones that were built from adobe, wood and rock in New Mexico or even southern Colorado at that time. The building will also be fully habitable which allows for interior shooting as well as accommodations for limited numbers of cast and crew. But in the meantime, the land is still wide open and has already been used for an episode of "Bullets From Beyond" and will be used for two film projects in 2024.
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