When I jump into making a new print I really LOVE to study out the characters, the location and the scene.  Shortly I’ll be making a video that describes the the depth of research and obsession that over took me when I was making my “Lost Shakespearian Ballads” prints.  Until then, let us bask in the art of Obsession as explained by Adam Savage from the Mythbusters.  This video comes from the Entertainment Gathering conference curated by MIT’s Michael Hawley and takes a broad look at entertainment, technology, and ideas.  It’s a pretty cool video, and I really relate to his process.

Well, maybe not “Starring” but I make an appearance (can you say that about audio?).  Back at the San Diego Comic Con I met Harris Toser from Non-Sport Update. Non-Sport Update is THE magazine for collectors of non-sport trading cards (cards that focus on movies, television, sci-fi, comics, music, etc.–anything other than sports). The magazine is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November.  He stopped by to get a signature in his copy of the White Album and was asking about the work that I did in the book.  I started to explain the deeper meaning behind my 3 illustrations and he stopped me, took out his recorder, and had me start over.  You can read his article here and then listen to the podcast below and check out the UK Cast here.

Thanks!

If you weren’t sure, I’d like to come right on out and say I’m a Star Wars fan.  That being said, my fandom pales in comparison to Stacy Davidson.  You see, Stacy is a Super fan and a collector of home game systems and arcade machines. Some of his favorite games of all time include Space Quest III and IV, King’s Quest VI, Fate of Atlantis, Full Throttle and The Dig.  He took his love of adventure titles like Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and combined it with his love of Star Wars to make his own game.

He developed the game using the Adventure Game Studio software and of course HOURS and DAYS and WEEKS of his own time and he’s giving it away. According to his progress page, he is currently about 20% done with the game, but Stacy has announced on today that the game is fully playable through the first major section. This section encompasses a hand full of screens, characters and puzzles.  You can follow his progress at his website.

I personally enjoyed this YouTube video of the game play because it reminded me of this print that I made….

I’m not sure why, but the video uploaded to the Atom.com site doesn’t play all the way to the end.  I hope that this won’t negatively impact my chances at winning the contest.  Here’s the video posted on to YouTube.

Atom.com has teamed up with G4 Co-Host Olivia Munn to create Operation Olivia. Star Wars Fan boys are giving the opportunity to pitch an idea for a short Star Wars Fan film. Olivia with be a judge awarding the winner $5,000.00 and six hours of her time to make the fan film a reality.

I worked over the weekend setting up a green screen, filmed on Monday, and edited it Tuesday and Wednesday night only to have it look like the video did work on the Atom site.  So in a mad dash, I created a new pitch and then uploaded it, only to find out that the original one WAS working.  *sigh*  Now we wait and see what happens next.

video 01

Livi A’Munn, True Hero of the Rebel Alliance

video 02

Livi A’Munn: True Hero of the Rebel Alliance

So here I am, hamming it up in front of the camera, again.  I spent the weekend running around gathering supplies so that I could get some test shots done and then start shooting footage today for a contest that ends, um Wednesday-ish.  So I better get crackin’.

I love it when a plan comes together!  When I was working in the online training field I helped to create a course on entrepreneurism.  In this course, the key to success was to find that thing that you love to do and find a way to get paid for it.  If you love Legos, and you love making ships and having battles with them, but you’re frustrated with their lack of proper weaponry MAKE YOUR OWN!  That’s the key to Brickarms.  Go over to their site and check out some of the wonder weapons and accessories for you Lego adventures.  Here’s a few of my favorites.

prototype “sci-fi” guns.  ;]

spy brief case

This same principle was applied by my friend Mark with his company making accessories for action figures and dioramas.  You can see his work at Build-A-Rama.

I haven’t heard any final numbers yet on the charity event for the Make-A-Wish foundation, but I am pleased that people liked my Mighty Mugg enough to bid on it.  After 23 bids, Aayla Secura was won by “mattobot” for $300.00.  Thank you Mattobot.

My Mighty Mugg was also profiled on StarWars.com and the interview can be found here.

I got to thinking about the go-kart Batmobile that I posted about.  This guy really has a genius idea on his hands.  He has created this Batmobile because he loves it.  His passion has moved him to action.  It looks like he spent around $2,000.00 to make the go-kart and now he’s selling the plans for about $40.00.  So you send him a PayPal money order, and he sends an email back to you with the plans as an attachment.  He’s selling an email! An email?!?! That’s like selling air!

He has documented the complete build of the kart, so why not make a DVD available as well?  WAIT A SECOND!  Some of those parts are kinda tricky to make on my own, so why doesn’t he offer “upgrades” to standard go-kart kits and then sell custom parts?  All this potential money generated from his obsession over the Batmobile.  I’ve got to start applying this principle to some of the stuff I obsess over and hope I can avoid any legal entanglements.  :D

I have written before about the guy who made a full sized replica Batmobile from the Dark Knight movie.  Well, if you can’t go so far as to make a full sized Tumbler, why not make a mini one?

T-man has done just that.  He’s also documented the build on his YouTube channel, and his website, AND you can buy the plans from him so you can do it too.  That’s what I call “Selling your Sawdust”.  He spent the time and money to make and document the project, and then for $39.99 you he’ll send an email of the plans.  NICE!