tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87408142024-03-09T19:46:13.278-07:00Digital Dream MachineDiscoveries, thoughts, and writings from my world.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-43413251540757052492009-01-24T20:33:00.001-07:002009-01-24T20:33:53.610-07:00Hello from Vancouver, British Columbia!For any of you who are still reading this blog: a big thanks! There is certainly a lack of posting in the last few months, but lots of new opportunities have been presented to me so I'm pursuing them with an outstanding level of support from my amazing family, friends and associates.<br /><br />I'm now in Vancouver, British Columbia and working with some pretty cool people on some pretty awesome projects. Hopefully, I'll get back to blogging but you'll have to excuse the lack of posts in the meantime while I settle in to my new home.<br /><br />You can still contact me at the same e-mail address and phone number for now.<br /><br />We'll chat soon. Cheers!<br /><br />ChadChad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1163433135723037002006-11-13T08:40:00.000-07:002006-11-13T08:52:16.523-07:00New Digital Dream Machine Blog URLYou can find the new URL for the Digital Dream Machine blog at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blog">www.digitaldreammachine.com/blog</a><br /><br />Please update your links and bookmarks.<br /><br />I decided to make the leap and use <a href="http://www.wordpress.org">WordPress</a> for the new blog. I found out I have the ability for MySQL databases on the Dreamhost web hosting account we purchased and since it's required to run WordPress, I dove in and managed to set it up the new DDM blog. I'm certainly no coding guru, but WordPress support and the web searches helped guide me through setting up the database and blog.<br /><br />It took me a few days, but thankfully I was able to import most of the Blogger data over into the WordPress blog without much hassle. There were a few things the import missed (Amazon.com and Amazon.ca links) and the images could still be modified to better fit the WordPress template, but overall it went relatively smooth. Over the past few days I have been cleaning up the links, adding and tweaking code, and enhancing the DDM blog with plugins. Expect more revisions in the coming months while I optimize the site.<br /><br />So why the move?<br /><br />1. Blogger has been having a lot of downtime recently. Many times I have tried to log into the blog to find the service down for maintenance or I can't connect to upload a new post.<br />2. Features. Simply put, WordPress has more. Including:<br /><ul><br /><li>Themes - WordPress makes switching the look of one's blog relatively painless. There are numerous websites devoted to WordPress themes.<br /><li>Categories - a very nice feature for organizing one's posts by just that - categories.<br /><li>Plug-in capability - great since there are a lot of extras people have developed to enhance WordPress.<br /><li>The WordPress-powered blog seems to load faster despite the amount of images I usually include in the site.<br /></ul><br /><br />I'll be leaving the Blogger version up for archival purposes and just in case things go awry on the WordPress version.<br /><br />The Alberta Movie Guide is also staying on Blogger for now. You can use the new URL to access it though at <a href="http://www.albertamovieguide.com">http://www.albertamovieguide.com</a>.<br /><br />Ken and I will also let <a href="http://pixaranimation.blogspot.com">Luxo</a> stay up on Blogger for now, so you can find that at the same link.<br /><br />I think Blogger is still a good blogging service and I've heard they'll be doing some upgrades to the service soon so it's a good choice for getting people blogging, but for more advanced features, WordPress looked too enticing to pass up.<br /><br />Thanks for the support here on Blogger and I look forward to seeing and hearing from all of you over at the new URL!<br /><br />P.S. I also had a nice birthday dinner (roast, potatoes, carrots, gravy, and cake courtesy of sis, mom, and dad) at my sister's place last night and visited with one of my grandmothers later that evening. I even managed to squeeze in two of my favorite films, <i>The Iron Giant</i> and <i>The Incredibles</i>, while working on the blog update and scanning paperwork last night and early this morning. Thanks for all the birthday greetings and digital cards!Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1163062649286255722006-11-08T11:48:00.000-07:002006-11-09T04:47:04.706-07:00I Missed The WozAs some of you know, <a href="http://digitaldreammachine.blogspot.com/2006/04/wife-meets-woz.html">my wife met Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak</a> back in April.<br /><br />I caught the local news here in Edmonton tonight, and imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when I found out he appeared in Edmonton this morning to speak at a <a href="http://www.iceconference.com/program2006_Wednesday.aspx">tech conference</a>. I wasn't aware of the conference so of course I missed out on his <a href="http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/">keynote</a> conference speech. I'm guessing he's been touring around guest speaking and helping to promote his new book, <i>iWoz</i>.<br /><br />Woz is certainly the more accessible of the two main Apple founders and it's likely I'll get to hear him speak at a later time, but it's still disappointing that he was right here in Edmonton and I didn't know until it was too late. Even if you're not an Apple or Woz fan, you can't deny his contributions and effect on the worlds of personal computing and education. Hopefully the attendees were able to realize who they were listening to.<br /><br />Oh well.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=digitaldreamm-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0393061434&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=digitaldrea0c-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=0393061434&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1162030293961209102006-10-28T22:02:00.000-06:002006-10-30T02:52:40.933-07:00Halloween Haul 2006One of the best things about Halloween is working your way through the candy and treats throughout the year. In addition to this year's haul, be sure to check out my 2005 <a href="http://digitaldreammachine.blogspot.com/2005/10/i-love-halloween.html">blog post</a> for a bunch of tasty Halloween leftovers from last year!<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>AUDIO GOODIES:</b></font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/HellboySwordPoster.jpg" alt="Hellboy Sword of Storms Poster."><br /><font size=-2>Characters © Mike Mignola. Art © 2006 Starz Media, LLC and Revolution Studios.</font><br /><br />An audio interview with <i>Hellboy</i> and <i>The Amazing Screw-On Head</i> creator, Mike Mignola, can be found over at <a href="http://www.wordballoon.com/MIGNOLA.html">Word Balloon</a>. Mike discusses the upcoming <a href="http://www.gotohellboy.com/">Hellboy Animated</a> films, working with Tad Stones, more Abe Sapien and BPRD adventures, and the big red character's beginnings. *Contains potentially offensive language near the end. (via <a href="http://hellboyanimated.typepad.com/hellboy_animated/">Hellboy Animated.</a>)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/NocturnalsPrint01.jpg" alt="Dan Brereton print of The Nocturnals"><br /><font size=-2>The Nocturnals © Dan Brereton.</font><br /><br />What's Halloween without Dan Brereton's <a href="http://www.nocturnals.com"><i>The Nocturnals</i></a>? The Gunwitch, Doc Horror, Halloween Girl, Polychrome. Great names. Great characters. Great stories. Great art. Check out another great Word Balloon <a href="http://www.wordballoon.com/media/WBdanbrereton.mp3">audio interview</a>...this time with the creator of the fascinating Halloween-style characters himself.<br /><br /><b>Note to movie and TV producers:</b> Where's the <i>Nocturnals</i> movie or animated series we're all waiting for? These easily-translatable characters, if handled properly, could potentially be a box office tentpole film or series!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/GhostbustersProjectRemix.jpg" alt="Ghostbusters Project:Remix logo"><br /><br />Tunes for Ghostbusting: <a href="http://www.psychopathic.co.uk/gbusters/gbusters.htm">Ghostbusters Project:Remix</a>. Use the free <a href="http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html">Switch</a> application to convert the WMA files to MP3 or other format. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx">Flip4Mac</a> (also free) is also required for conversion.<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>VIDEO LOOT:</b></font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/DisneySkeletonDance.jpg" alt="Disney's Skeleton Dance"><br /><font size=-2><i>The Skeleton Dance</i> © Disney.</font><br /><br />Tune in to Disney's classic <i>Silly Symphony</i> animated short, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0CIUjLqwlc"><i>The Skeleton Dance</i> (1929)</a>, on YouTube.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/DisneyLonesomeGhosts.jpg" alt="Disney's Lonesome Ghosts"><br /><font size=-2><i>Lonesome Ghosts</i> © Disney.</font><br /><br />One of my all-time favorite Disney animated shorts, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0CIUjLqwlc"><i>Lonesome Ghosts</i></a> featuring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, can also be found over on YouTube.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/RayParkerJrGhostbusters.jpg" alt="Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters video screenshot."><br /><br />"Bustin' makes me feel good!" - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJPT4F8LIDU&mode=related&search=">Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr.</a><br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>SWEET GRAPHICS:</b></font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BruceTimmMonsters.jpg" alt="Classic monster art by Bruce Timm."><br /><font size=-2>Art © Bruce Timm.</font><br /><br />Arglebargle has a <a href="http://arglebarglin.blogspot.com/2006/09/timms-season.html">blog post</a> on Bruce Timm's monster art as well as influential poster artist <a href="http://arglebarglin.blogspot.com/2006/07/reynold-brown-at-work.html">Reynold Brown</a>. Some really fun images! (via <a href="http://wardomatic.blogspot.com/">The Ward-O-Matic</a>.)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/RaineyHalloweenSpooks.jpg" alt="Merrill Rainey Halloween Wallpaper preview."><br /><font size=-2>Art © Merrill Rainey.</font><br /><br />Merrill Rainey has posted some fun icons, desktop wallpaper, and PDF coloring book at <a href="http://www.littlerainey.com/halloween/">this link</a>. (via <a href="http://www.drawn.ca">Drawn</a>.)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PouliotScarloff.jpg" alt="Matt Putnam-Pouliot Scarloff Wallpaper preview."><br /><font size=-2>Scarloff. Art © Matt Putnam-Pouliot.</font><br /><br />Matt Putnam-Pouliot has posted some fun wallpaper at <a href="Matt Putnam-Pouliot">this link</a>. (via <a href="http://www.drawn.ca">Drawn</a>.) Be sure to check out his fantastic <a href="http://dialkforkomics.com/art.html">art gallery</a> filled with fun ghouls and beasties!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/50DarkMoviesPainting.jpg" alt="M&M'S 50 Dark Movies Painting."><br /><font size=-2>Art © Mars, Incorporated.</font><br /><br />Guess the titles of 50 Dark Movies hidden in imagery in <a href="http://us.mms.com/us/dark/index.jsp">this Hieronymus Bosch-like painting</a> at the M&M'S Dark Chocolate website.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MummyLeaves.jpg" alt="Preview of Mummy Raking Leaves desktop wallpaper."><br /><font size=-2>Art © Vera Brosgol.</font><br /><br />"Everyone Loves Mummies" is a fun <a href="http://boingboing.net/images/lg_mummydesk.gif">wallpaper</a> for your desktop by <a href="http://verabee.com/">Vera Brosgol</a>. (via <a href="http://www.boingboing.net">Boing Boing</a>.)<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>TASTY TREATS:</b></font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/HalloweenSupperSkeleton.jpg" alt="Skeleton centerpiece for Halloween supper."><br /><font size=-2>Photo © theprojectmaker.</font><br /><br />Hosting a Halloween gathering? Check out <a href="http://imakeprojects.com/projects/halloween-supper/">this fun set</a> of instructions for creepy but consumable foods for supper! (via <a href="http://www.boingboing.net">Boing Boing</a>.)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MummyCupcakes.jpg" alt="Mummy Cupcakes photo."><br /><font size=-2>Photo © Bakerama.</font><br /><br /><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cupcakes-with-White-Chocolate-Cream-Cheese-Icing/Detail.aspx">Mmm-mummy cupcakes</a>.<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>GHOULISH CRAFTS:</B></font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/FoamTombstone.jpg" alt="Foam Tombstone photo."><br /><font size=-2>Photo © Spooky Blue.</font><br /><br />Carve your own decorative <a href="http://www.spookyblue.com/halloween/tombstones/">tombstones</a>. Create fear with the <a href="http://www.spookyblue.com/halloween/scarecrow/scarecrow.htm">wicked scarecrow</a>!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/JackOLanternOrigami.jpg" alt="Origami Jack O'Lantern."><br /><font size=-2>Art © www.origami-club.com.</font><br /><br />Use the leftover candy bags to make your own <a href="http://www.origami-club.com/en/halloween/index.htm">Halloween origami</a>! (via <a href="http://monsterama.blogspot.com/">Monsterama</a> and <a href="http://paperforest.blogspot.com/2006/10/spooky-stuff-and-long-time-no-post.html">Paper Forest</a>.)<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><b>FREAKY LINKS:</B></font><br /><br /><a href="http://robotmonsterleague.blogspot.com/">The League of Robots and Monsters</a><br /><a href="http://bsschallenge.blogspot.com/2006/10/halloween.html">BlueSky Studios Challenges - Halloween!</a><br /><a href="http://bsschallenge.blogspot.com/2006/10/classic-movie-monsters.html">BlueSky Studios Challenges - Classic Movie Monsters</a><br /><a href="http://www.benlane.com/animation/smooky.htm">Smooky Ghost Story</a>. (via <a href="http://www.coldhardflash.com/">Cold, Hard Flash</a>.)<br />Flickr photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/jackolantern/">Jack O' Lanterns</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/halloween/">Halloween</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/pumpkin/">Pumpkin</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/pumpkins/">Pumpkins</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ghosts">Ghosts</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/monsters/">Monsters</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/monsters/">Monster</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/spooky/">Spooky</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/costume/">Costume</a><br /><a href="http://www.monstrous.com/Joomla/">Monstrous.com</a> - "The largest site about monsters."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/LeonhardtDenmarkPhoto.jpg" alt="Spooky Denmark photo by Warren Leonhardt."><br /><font size=-2>Photo: Copenhagen, Denmark. © Warren Leonhardt.</font><br /><br />Warren Leonhardt's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86453598@N00/sets/72157594194208895/">''abra macabre!" Flickr photoset.</a> Be sure to view his <a href="http://www.warrenleonhardt.com/">fun blog</a> with other spooky postings!<br /><br /><font color="FF6600"><font size=4><b>Happy Halloween Boils & Ghouls!!</b></font></font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1161297022811688932006-10-21T12:21:00.000-06:002006-10-22T04:57:15.480-06:00More Goodies For The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D<img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/NMBC3DFeaturette01.jpg" alt="Screenshot from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D"><br /><font size=-2><i>Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> © Walt Disney Pictures.</font><br /><br />Catch a glimpse of how the wizards at Industrial Light and Magic and Disney transformed <i>Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> into a 3-D film format <a href="http://www.totaleclips.com/Player/Bounce.aspx?eclipid=e29723&bitrateid=342&vendorid=600">in this video</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/TimBurtonPhotoUSATODAY.jpg" alt="Photo of Tim Burton from USA Today. Photo by Robert Hanashiro."><br /><font size=-2>Photo: Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY.</font><br /><br />Tim Burton discusses the impact of the film at <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-10-17-tim-burton_x.htm?csp=34">this USATODAY.com article</a>:<blockquote><b>"It makes the movie weirdly better; you just see it the way it was meant to be — completely dimensional,"</b> says Burton, 48, on a visit to his native Southern California from his adopted home in London. "It takes the story and actually deepens it. I see details in the sets that I don't remember seeing."<br /><br />Burton has resisted tampering with the 1993 film that has become a cult classic. With so many current movies generating sequels or even forcing out a trilogy, Burton's <i>Nightmare</i> stands alone. There will not be another installment, he says. But that's not for lack of trying on the part of Disney, the studio that released <i>Nightmare</i>.<br /><br />Burton — whose most recent films are <i>The Corpse Bride</i> and <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> and who is in pre-production on the screen adaptation of another macabre story, <i>Sweeney Todd</i> — fends off sequel offers from "each new regime that comes in" at Disney. "I just say no. So, there won't be a <i>Jack Visits Thanksgiving World</i>."<br /><br />Part of his desire to keep the movie a solo offering has to do with the connection the stop-motion animated film has forged with die-hard fans.<br /><br />"You can't screw around with that," says Burton. "It's not a mass-market kind of thing. It's kind of specialized."</blockquote>Visit the official movie site <a href="http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/nightmare/index.html">at this link</a> where you can watch Jack's head follow your cursor, check out the remasterd soundtrack (with tracks from Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple, and of course, Danny Elfman), and enter a contest to create a character and win a greeting from Tim Burton for your MySpace page.<br /><br />IESB has video clips and photos from the coverage of the film's premiere at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood <a href="http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_d4j_ezine&task=read&page=1&category=6&article=548&Itemid=33">at this link</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.cartoonbrew.com">Cartoon Brew</a> for the first video link!Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1160540333612861472006-10-10T22:11:00.000-06:002006-10-15T14:35:43.410-06:0018" Mezco HellboyThis friendly guest arrived yesterday:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/18InchHellboy.jpg" alt="18 inch Hellboy action figure."><br /><br />Much thanks to the friend that dropped off <a href="http://www.hellboy.com">Hellboy</a>!<br /><br />Cat and DVD for size comparison.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1160450942229277312006-10-07T23:10:00.000-06:002006-10-09T21:29:44.680-06:00Photos: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.A few photos from our trip to Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday and Thursday:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago01.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Old Chicago Pumping Station.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago02.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Lake Michigan near Lake Shore Drive and Cedar Street.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago03.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Michigan Avenue Bridge and downtown Chicago.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago04.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Stones from around the world adorn Tribune Tower.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago05.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Lunar Sample display at Tribune Tower.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago06.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Nathan Hale statue at entrance to Tribune Tower.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago07.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>King Tutankhamun sculpture outside of The LEGO Store.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago08.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>Me with a filmmaker sculpture inside The LEGO Store.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago09.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>April sits with a businessman sculpture outside of The LEGO Store.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/PhotoChicago10.jpg" alt="Photo of Chicago by Chad Kerychuk."><br /><font size=-2>April and I outside of the Apple Store, North Michigan Avenue.</font><br /><br />You can check out the rest of the photos at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macjeep/sets/72157594318874721/">this Flickr photoset link</a>.<br /><br />After a 6 hour drive from Creston, Iowa (filled with 4 tollway stops!), we arrived to enjoy a nice dinner at the <a href="http://www.webergrillrestaurant.com/locations/chicago.html">Weber Grill Restaurant</a> with folks from <a href="http://www.apple.com">Apple</a> and various Midwestern U.S. educational institutions. Since we weren't ready to hit the sack, April and I, guided by one of the other conference attendees, walked down North Michigan Avenue to experience the city's nightlife. Chicago is very much 'alive' at night, and you can find people from all ages and walks of life strolling around downtown.<br /><br />The cab drivers drive with insane purposes, and about half of the pedestrians don't wait for walk lights. I'm surprised there's not more accidents there. But it seems to be the key method of transportation in the "windy city."<br /><br />Leaving the city was no easy feat. Roads lead everyplace but where you need to be going, and the roadsigns are either not clearly marked, or not placed far enough in advance for drivers to plan their routes. We had a map from Google which proved ineffective since we took a modified route and ended up an hour North of where we needed to be! 4 more tollway stops, and 10 hours later, we arrived back home in Creston.<br /><br />Next time, we'll be sure to take our Honda Civic with built-in GPS navigation!<br /><br />Despite the difficulty getting out of the city, it was a short, but enjoyable journey and we both look forward to visiting Chicago again.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1136349297974111242006-09-28T06:45:00.000-06:002006-09-28T10:33:23.746-06:00Interview: Mark Schultz - Part 2Here's Part 2 of the interview I conducted with author/illustrator extraordinaire Mark Schultz regarding his career, influences, and future projects. Once again, thanks to both Mark and <a href="http://palaeoblog.blogspot.com">Palaeoblog</a> creator, Dr. Michael Ryan for making this possible.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />--<br /><br />Mark, thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions. We discussed your early career in Part 1 (<a href="http://digitaldreammachine.blogspot.com/2006/09/interview-mark-schultz-part-1.html">at this link</a>) and moved on to past/current projects, so let's continue there.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Are there any projects that you’d change if you could or do you consider past experiences as learning and move on? <br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: I look at everything I’ve done as a learning experience. There are some projects I’ve done that I’m not particularly proud of, but I learned, and I think improved, from all of them.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Because we can’t be working all the time, what do you do to unwind when you’re not creating heroes and monsters?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: Hike—for exercise as well as to refocus my mind and eyes. Read. Watch movies—preferably B&W classics that are generally ignored today.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/TheThingFromAnotherWorld.jpg" alt="The Thing From Another World graphic."><br /><font size=-2>Howard Hawks' 1951 sci-fi masterpiece. A fave of both Mark and myself. © Turner Home Entertainment.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Is there something you do to refresh your creative spirit and get back into drawing or writing mode again?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: Hike. Travel. Visit the ocean.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MarkSchultzMallorcaPoster.jpg" align="left" vspace="5" hspace="5" alt="Mark Schultz Mallorca Spain Exhibition Poster."><b>Q:</b> You recently took a trip to Spain where some of your work was exhibited. How was your trip and did you find European’s reactions to your work to be different from North Americans?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: Generally speaking, <b>Europeans don’t seem to draw as definitive a line between the fine arts and the commercial arts as we do in North America. They are much more open to the notion that comics can be a legitimate form of expression.</b> The Spanish people, at least, seemed to me to be much more knowledgeable about art in general—they consider an appreciation of the arts to be part of their every day existence.<br /><br />Let’s move on to future projects.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Do you plan on returning to <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>? Are there any plans for another animated series or feature film? How about a DVD box set of the animated series?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/CadillacsAndDinosaursComp.jpg" alt="Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Animated Series comp image."><br /><font size=-2>Cadillacs and Dinosaurs. © 1993 Mark Schultz and <a href="http://www.nelvana.com/">Nelvana Limited</a>. Images from <a href="http://stonegate.furvect.com/byshows.php?s=89">here.</a></font><br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: There is nothing I want more then to get back to producing new issues of <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>. It is just a matter of finding a way of financing the process of getting it started again. My glacial slowness makes things difficult. I'm hoping to build a savings reservoir that could give me the time to devote to getting the series up and running again. Specifically, <b>I have a four issue arc in mind that would complete the storyline I left hanging, but would also stand on its own</b>, and would be collected as a trade paperback. At this time there are no current plans for XT projects in other media.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> In addition to <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, what property that you’ve been involved with in the past, would you like to return to and in what capacity?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/SubHuman01Cover.jpg" alt="Cover Artwork for SubHuman Issue 1 by Mark Schultz."><br /><font size=-2>Cover art for <a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=97-654">SubHuman</a> Issue #1 © Mark Schultz.</font><br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: I’d love to see <i>SubHuman</i> up and running. We really didn’t get a chance to get our sea legs under us with the initial <a href="http://www.darkhorse.com">Dark Horse</a> mini-series. Both Michael and I have lots of stories Krill Stromer Family stories we’d like to tell, and hopefully someday we’ll have the chance. Beyond that, I have tons of other projects percolating away that are just waiting for the right opportunity to come to a boil.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Who would you most like to work with that you haven’t yet had a chance to and who would you like to work with again?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: I’m pretty happy working mostly by myself, or with my already established cohorts. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MarkSchultzStudioLarge.jpg"><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MarkSchultzStudioSmall.jpg" alt="Mark Schultz's Art Studio."></a><br /><font size=-2>Mark Schultz's studio. Note the otherworldly visitors! Photos courtesy of Dr. Michael Ryan.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> What properties would you like to work on that you haven’t yet?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: I’d love a chance to illustrate Edgar Rice Burroughs, and more Robert E. Howard. Right now, a couple of years after I stopped writing <i>Superman</i>, I’m finally getting a chance to illustrate a <i>Superman</i> cover! I’m psyched!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ActionComics836.jpg" alt="Mark Schultz Superman Cover for Action Comics 836."><br /><font size=-2>Action Comics #836. Artwork by Mark Schultz. © <a href="http://www.dccomics.com">DC Comics</a>.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> What are you working on now and what projects have you got in the pipeline?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: I continue to write the Sunday comic strip <a href="http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/pvaliant/about.htm"><i>Prince Valiant</i></a>, which is beautifully illustrated by Gary Gianni. I’m working on Vol. 2 of my <a href="http://www.fleskpublications.com/publications/schultz/">Various Drawings</a> art book series, doing lots of commissions in connection with generating work for that, and picking up comic cover and illustration work here and there. It all continues to go well, I will be generating a series of books for <a href="http://www.fleskpublications.com/">Flesk Publications</a>, the publisher of Various Drawings.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VariousDrawingsCovers.jpg" alt="Mark Schultz Various Drawings Covers by Flesk Publications."><br /><font size=-2>Mark Schultz: Various Drawings Volumes 1 and 2. © Mark Schultz and <a href="http://www.fleskpublications.com">Flesk Publications</a>.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Since <i>Xenozoic Tales</i> features dinosaurs, I can’t forget to ask if you have a favorite one?<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: Of course, Tyrannosaurus rex is an icon that would probably be my all-time number one, but the coelacanth, with its great survivor’s story, is a sentimental favorite. I love drawing both of them.<br /><br />Thanks again Mark for your time and letting all of us take a peak inside your creative mind. Please keep us up to date on your new projects and we wish you the best of luck with all of them!<br /><br /><b>Schultz</b>: My pleasure. And thanks to all the readers for the support!<br /><br /><b>Stay tuned for a possible update from Mark on even more recent projects and topics we might have forgot in our first 2 parts!</b><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/SchultzCBLDFArt.jpg" alt="Mark Schultz Comic Book Legal Defense Fund art for Sky Dog comics."><br /><font size=-2>Comic Book Legal Defense Fund art for <a href="http://www.skydogcomics.com/mf_preview.html">sky*dog comics</a>. © Mark Schultz and the <a href="http://www.cbldf.org/">CBLDF</a>.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1136347549483822682006-09-21T23:55:00.000-06:002006-10-22T03:05:35.160-06:00Interview: Mark Schultz - Part 1I'm fortunate to be associated with some truly amazing people. Because of these relationships, I'm able to pick their brains for great stories, research information for projects, and fantastic ideas. I plan to share some of this insight into these creative minds by presenting multi-part interviews here on this blog. These are people I admire for their outstanding work, their creativity, their unique approach to old and new ideas, and more importantly, their friendly, engaging personality.<br /><br />The first of these interviews is with the multiple award-winning (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisner_Award">Eisner</a>, <a href="http://www.harveyawards.org/">Harvey</a>, Spectrum, <a href="http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_inkpot.shtml">Inkpot</a>, and <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elwendigo.com%2Fhaxturs.htm&langpair=es%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools">Haxtur</a>) author/illustrator Mark Schultz.<br /><br />Schultz, who has been described by many to be "one of the nice guys in Comics," has managed to tackle nearly every character we comic book and movie fans only dream of working with: Aliens, Conan, The Flash, The Terminator, King Kong, Luke Skywalker, Prince Valiant, Superman, Tarzan, and Tyrannosaurus rex to name just a few. However, he's <b>best known for the lavishly-illustrated <i>Xenozoic Tales</i></b>, an action-adventure series featuring old world mechanic Jack "Cadillac" Tenrec and the bold, beautiful Hannah Dundee. Of course, there's more than a few classic cars and dinosaurs thrown in for fun.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/SchultzKerychuk2001.jpg" alt="Photo of Mark Schultz and Chad Kerychuk at the 2001 San Diego Comic-Con International."><br /><font size=-2>Mark Schultz and myself at the 2001 San Diego Comic-Con.</font><br /><br />--<br /><br /><b>DDM:</b> First of all, thanks for taking the time to chat. I know a lot of people are anxious to hear what you’ve been up to and what exciting projects you have on the horizon but let's start with your own creation, <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>. I know it means a great deal to you, and readers are anxious to find out what's going on with the series.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> As the creator of <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, (later re-branded as <i>Cadillacs and Dinosaurs</i> for Epic Comics and the <a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/mp3/Cadillacs_Dinosaurs_1993.mp3">animated television show</a> from Nelvana), you’ve not only written but illustrated most of the series yourself. How did the idea come about?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Through long hours of career dissatisfaction while I was executing advertising illustrations and working as a security guard. I’d long dreamed of becoming a cartoonist and spent a good deal of time imagining what my ideal comic book would be, based on my love for Edgar Rice Burroughs, EC Comics, <i>King Kong</i>, and other adventure movies and stories. Those influences, mixed with my interest in man’s relationship with the natural environment gelled into what became <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>. <b>Essentially, I was creating the type of comic adventure I wanted to read, but wasn’t available in the contemporary market.</b><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> In reading <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, we seem to discover a slyly disguised ‘message’ at its core about the Earth and the symbiotic relationships of the planet’s systems. Not many comics or graphic novels can get away with this, yet you seem to have pulled it off effortlessly. The time period inhabited by your characters is a direct result of their ancestors’ effects on the Earth. Did you start with that message and find a story or was it the reverse?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> These concerns are very important to me, but even more important is telling a good story. If I feel that I am being preached to while I am reading a story, well, the storyteller has lost me. I trust that’s the same for my readers. <b>The message, if there is one, must be integrated and buried within the dramatic telling of the story or it will alienate any reader who isn’t already on board with the point of view being promoted.</b> In the case of <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, the environmental angle was actually one of the last ingredients that got mixed into what started as pure SF adventure, but it was the necessary element that, I think, elevated the series, and, at the very least, keeps me interested in creating new stories.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/XenozoicTalesDarkHorse01.jpg" alt="Xenozoic Tales Volume 1 Softcover from Dark Horse Comics."><br /><font size=-2>Xenozoic Tales Volume One: After the End. © Mark Schultz. Published by <a href="http://www.darkhorse.com">Dark Horse Comics</a>.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Because you are the creator of the series, you have control of what happens, and therefore no major production studio to second-guess your decisions. With the exception of the marketing and distribution help from Kitchen Sink, Marvel, Nelvana, and Dark Horse, you’ve been able to shepherd <i>Xenozoic Tales</i> through its different incarnations the way you want. Were there any drawbacks to overseeing everything and not just writing the story or illustrating the books?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Actually, I always had marketing and promotional help with <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, first with my publisher, Denis Kitchen, filling that role, and then with the agency of Kitchen and Hansen. I have very limited knowledge when it comes to promotion and marketing, as well as distribution, so I have always relied on others for the “business” side of the business. I’ve also been very appreciative of editorial suggestions as well—even though I’ve never had to work with an editor on XT, I feel it helps to have a sounding board—another perspective with different experiences—available. I could never do XT on my own—I’m just the guy who makes the final decisions. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/CKBadlandsPhoto02.jpg" alt="Photo of Dinosaur Provincial Park by Chad Kerychuk." align="right" vspace="5" hspace="5"><b>Q:</b> One of the opportunities that I’ve truly enjoyed in life, is participating in palaeontological excavations. One certainly gains deeper respect for the scientists and volunteers that work under challenging field conditions with awkward equipment (ranging from heavy-but-powerful jackhammers to light-but-exacting dental picks) all in the name of research. Have you ever had a chance to join a palaeo/archeological dig and has it helped you with your <i>Xenozoic Tales</i> work?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to fulfill that life-long dream. Someday, I hope. I have been lucky enough to visit some fossil-rich sites, such as the Red Deer River Valley, but I’ve yet to find the time to participate. So, in the meantime, I pick the brains of cooperative sorts like our friend <a href="http://palaeoblog.blogspot.com">Dr. Michael Ryan</a>.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> What other kinds of research do you conduct for projects like Xenozoic Tales?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Lots of reading--mostly laymen’s scientific magazines and books--visual material of any appropriate kind, travel. Asking questions of the experts. I’m not shy about asking questions.<br /><br />Your early training must have helped with <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>, so let’s talk a bit about the beginning of your career.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> What career training have you received? Was it formal, informal, self-taught, or a little bit of everything?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> I graduated college with a BFA in Painting from Kutztown State University in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the fundamentals of draftsmanship were not stressed like I now believe they should be, and as a result, much of my drawing ability, as it is now, formed through comic book on-the-job training. <b>What I DID learn in college, and what I consider indispensable, was the ability to teach myself—to research and develop on my own accord.</b><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Do you recommend one method over the other for those hoping to follow in your footsteps?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> I don’t think there is any one right way. The unifying necessity is that you be passionate about what you are doing, immensely self-critical and unafraid to change as needed to become professional, and willing to push yourself harder than everyone else vying for the career you want. Success in the arts does not come to the faint of heart. <br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Who were your creative influences growing up and why?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/HomerPyleWyethComp.jpg" alt="Composite image of Winslow Homer, Howard Pyle, and NC Wyeth paintings."><br /><font size=-2>Top: Art by Winslow Homer. Bottom left: Art by Howard Pyle. Bottom right: Art by NC Wyeth.</font><br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Visually, my work is strongly influenced by a love for classic American illustration. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winslow_Homer">Winslow Homer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Pyle">Howard Pyle</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._C._Wyeth">N.C. Wyeth</a>, Daniel Smith, <a href="http://www.americanartarchives.com/cornwell.htm">Dean Cornwell</a>, <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=Herbert%20Morton%20Stoops&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&sa=N&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wi">Herbert Morton Stoops</a>, and <a href="http://www.bouncepage.com/Pellucidar/pellucidar4.html">Frank Hoban</a> are among the illustrators I’ve closely studied. My principal influences from within the comics field include <a href="http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/foster.htm">Hal Foster</a>, <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=Alex%20Raymond&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&sa=N&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wi">Alex Raymond</a>, <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=Roy%20Crane&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&sa=N&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wi">Roy Crane</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Eisner">Will Eisner</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Kurtzman">Harvey Kurtzman</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Wood">Wally Wood</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Williamson">Al Williamson</a>. <br /><br />For visuals, as well as storytelling elements, the films of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001328/">Howard Hawks</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock">Alfred Hitchcock</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ford">John Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.geocities.com/lewtonsite/">Val Lewton</a>, and many other greats who worked primarily in black and white have had a strong effect on my work. Of course, Cooper and Schoedsack’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong"><i>King Kong</i></a>—there will never be a more complex, more visually and thematically rich film. Film and comics are two very different mediums, but if you look past the technical divides, they do share some important storytelling properties.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/KingKong02SchultzCover.jpg" alt="Mark Schultz King Kong Comic Book 02 Cover."><br /><font size=-2>King Kong cover art by Mark Schultz. Issue 2 of 6. © 1990 Mark Schultz and Monster Comics.</font><br /><br />For pure storytelling, the writings of <a href="http://www.tarzan.org/">Edgar Rice Burrroughs</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Howard">Robert E. Howard</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._P._Lovecraft">H.P. Lovecraft</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck">John Steinbeck</a> have meant a lot to me. <br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Are there any current creative influences you’re learning from or just admire for the work they’re doing?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/StoutMignolaArt.jpg" alt="William Stout Dinosaur Art and Mike Mignola Hellboy Art."><br /><font size=-2>Left: Styracosaur art by William Stout. Right: <a href="http://www.hellboy.com">Hellboy</a> art by Mike Mignola.</font><br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> While I don’t think there are any contemporaries who I’d call influences—<a href="http://www.williamstout.com">Bill Stout</a> being the exception—I admire the work of <a href="http://www.garygianni.com/">Gary Gianni</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Mignola">Mike Mignola</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Clowes">Dan Clowes</a>—there are many others…<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/GianniClowesArt.jpg" alt="William Stout Dinosaur Art and Mike Mignola Hellboy Art."><br /><font size=-2>Left: Art by Gary Gianni. Right: Art by Daniel Clowes.</font><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Did you have any ‘big goals’ when you started into your career and do you feel you’ve been successful at achieving them?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> I had no expectations when I started my comic career. I didn’t even want to get my hopes up that I would be able to make a basic living. Everything that’s come surprises me to certain degree. What success I’ve had amazes me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/SchultzFlashStopMotion.jpg" alt="Cover to The Flash: Stop Motion by Mark Schultz" align="right" vspace="5" hspace="5"><b>Q:</b> You’ve spent a good part of your early career as an illustrator, yet lately you’ve built up quite the writing resume. Why the shift?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Actually, I’m shifting back towards illustration now. I like diversity—I like to be able to go back and forth between drawing and writing. Plus, I take advantage of what the marketplace is offering me at the time. I think it's very important, and I keep telling this to students, to <b>become adept with as many different skills as possible—to both take advantage of the marketplace and to maintain as much control over your own properties as possible.</b><br /><br /><b>Q:</b> Which do you find easier: illustrating or writing? <br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> Nothing’s easy. But I can write faster than I can illustrate.<br /><br /><b>Q:</b> What artwork/story/project are you most proud of and why?<br /><br /><b>Schultz:</b> <i>Xenozoic Tales</i>—because it’s my own, start to finish.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/CbrinkmaniArt01.jpg" alt="Centrosaurus brinkmani art by Mark Schultz for Dr. Michael Ryan."><br /><br />Mark recently completed the above <a href="http://palaeoblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/new-centrosaurus-species-published.html"><i>Centrosaurus brinkmani</i></a> depiction and another illustration for palaeontologist Dr. Michael Ryan.<br /><font size=-2>Art © Mark Schultz from the collection of Dr. Michael Ryan.</font><br /><br />-- <a href="http://digitaldreammachine.blogspot.com/2006/09/interview-mark-schultz-part-2.html">Continue to Part 2 of the interview!</a> --<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=digitaldrea0c-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=1569716900&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000ff&bc1=000000&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=digitaldrea0c-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=1569716919&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000ff&bc1=000000&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=digitaldreamm-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1569716900&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000ff&bc1=000000&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=digitaldreamm-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1569716919&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000ff&bc1=000000&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1158904484945884332006-09-17T02:30:00.000-06:002006-09-21T23:54:44.963-06:00Weather ComparisonThe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nexus_(Star_Trek)">Nexus energy ribbon</a> passes through here in the US...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Weather_Sept_17_2006_Small.jpg"><br /><br />Quite the difference in temperatures (Celsius) between here in Creston, Iowa and back home in Edmonton, Alberta.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1155592065251759612006-09-03T15:41:00.000-06:002006-10-22T05:28:35.303-06:00Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-DAs the 2D version is one of my all-time favorite films, I'm really looking forward to seeing this...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/NMBC3DPoster.jpg" alt="Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D Poster"><br /><font size=-2>Image: Copyright 2006 Walt Disney Pictures.</font><br /><br />Trailer available <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/index.html?dlink=nightmare">at this link</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/NMBC3DPhoto28.jpg" alt="Joel Fletcher 3-D photo from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas"><br /><font size=-2>Image: Copyright 2006 Joel Fletcher</font><br /><br />For a taste of what the film might look like, be sure to grab your red and blue anaglyph 3-D glasses and check out Joel Fletcher's <i>The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> <a href="http://www.joelfletcher.com/3d-nightmare.html">3-D photo gallery</a>. Joel was an animator at Skellington Productions and worked on the film.<br /><br />Sources: <a href="http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23930">Aint It Cool News</a> and <a href="http://www.cartoonbrew.com/archives/2006_09.html#002250">Cartoon Brew</a>.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154500204661787712006-06-29T19:32:00.000-06:002006-08-02T01:05:47.336-06:00Photo: Dried FrogThis inch-long shrivelled hopper was on the front walkway at our friends' home here in Iowa.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/DriedFrog.jpg" alt="Dried Frog photo"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photo © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1151611130222654412006-06-29T14:55:00.000-06:002006-06-29T13:58:50.300-06:00Photos: Fun With Apple's Photo BoothPhotos from goofing around with Apple's new <a href="http://www.apple.com/imac/">Intel-powered iMac</a> with built-in <a href="http://www.apple.com/imac/isight.html">iSight</a> camera and Photo Booth software.<br /><br />Say "cheese!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth04.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth05.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth06.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth07.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth08.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth09.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth10.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth11.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth12.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ChadPhotoBooth14.jpg" alt="Chad's Photo Booth Photo">Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154498499200424412006-06-27T23:35:00.000-06:002006-08-02T00:02:42.053-06:00Photos: Peggy Sue's Good EatsMy wife had to travel to Mt. Ayr, Iowa, to take care of some professional matters, so I joined her on the day trip with our friend Al. He wanted to show us a cool 50's-themed restaurant, but we arrived to find it closed for the day. Hopefully we'll get a chance to go inside some other time, because looking through the windows revealed some great retro decor.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MtAyrPeggySues01.jpg" alt="Mt. Ayr Peggy Sue's photo 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MtAyrPeggySues02.jpg" alt="Mt. Ayr Peggy Sue's photo 02"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MtAyrPeggySues03.jpg" alt="Mt. Ayr Peggy Sue's photo 03"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1151183564548236382006-06-24T17:45:00.000-06:002006-08-01T23:30:49.816-06:00Photos: June BugCheck out this rather large <a href="http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek020708.html">June Bug</a> on the screen of our back door here in Iowa last night.<br /><br />A comparison beside the tip of my thumb....<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/June23JuneBug01.jpg" alt="June Bug Photo 01."><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/June23JuneBug02.jpg" alt="June Bug Photo 02."><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1151182225214471042006-06-23T22:32:00.000-06:002006-06-24T14:51:03.566-06:00Photos: Bettendorf, Iowa TripHere's some photos from a trip to Bettendorf, Iowa where I attended an Education Technology Conference with my wife on June 21 and June 22.<br /><br />We stayed at <a href="http://www.lodgehotel.com/">The Lodge</a>, a European-styled hotel with lots of fantastic wood carvings, furniture, artwork, and architecture. I didn't have a lot of time to take photos, but I was able to capture a few interesting shots. April also managed to snap a few photos of the exterior from the vehicle on our way home.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip01.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 01"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip02.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 02"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip03.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 03"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip04.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 04"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip05.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 05"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip06.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 06"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip07.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 07"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip08.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 08"><br /><br />Apparently, Iowa can lay claim to the 'World's Largest Truckstop'...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip09.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 09"><br /><br />Satellite dishes outside of Iowa Public Television...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BettendorfTrip10.jpg" alt="Bettendorf Iowa Trip Photo 10"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154496590439804532006-06-23T11:25:00.000-06:002006-08-01T23:29:50.450-06:00Photos: Bathroom SpiderOne of the cats saw this critter crawling into the bathroom last night. The photos make it look larger than actual size, which was about the width of a quarter. Still, I wouldn't want it creeping up on me, so I scooped it up and put it outside.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BathroomSpider01.jpg" alt="Bathroom spider photo 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BathroomSpider02.jpg" alt="Bathroom spider photo 02"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk</font>.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154495572310390672006-06-19T21:30:00.000-06:002006-08-02T01:36:04.746-06:00Photos: Iowa State Insect ZooMy wife was asked to photograph the <a href="http://www.ent.iastate.edu/zoo/">Iowa State Insect Zoo</a> traveling exhibit so I tagged along and snapped a few shots of my own. There were lots of other events including craft activities, games, storytelling, a book fair, and a snack room where guests could make <a href="http://appetizer.allrecipes.com/AZ/ntsnLg.asp">'Ants on a Log</a>.'<br /><br />Colorful, creepy crawlies and snacks...what more could a kid ask for?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo01.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo02.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 02"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo03.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 03"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo04.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 04"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo05.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 05"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo06.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 06"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo07.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 07"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo08.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 08"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo09.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 09"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo10.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 10"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/IowaStateInsectZoo18.jpg" alt="Iowa State Insect Zoo Photo 18"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1150993014348074232006-06-19T12:30:00.000-06:002006-08-01T23:33:53.633-06:00Photos: June 19 Hail StormSome photos from an early morning hail storm here in Creston, Iowa:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Hailstorm06192006_01.jpg" alt="Photo of Hail Storm in Creston Iowa on June 19 2006"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Hailstorm06192006_02.jpg" alt="Photo of Hail Storm in Creston Iowa on June 19 2006"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Hailstorm06192006_03.jpg" alt="Photo of Hail Storm in Creston Iowa on June 19 2006"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Hailstorm06192006_04.jpg" alt="Photo of Hail Storm in Creston Iowa on June 19 2006"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154493791794086222006-06-15T22:33:00.000-06:002006-08-01T23:32:33.013-06:00Photos: Picking MulberriesWe have a <a href="http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Mulberries.html">Mulberry</a> tree in our backyard in Iowa, so we decided to pick some of the berries that were ready. As usual, one of the cats (Monique) decided to join us.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BerryPickingJune15_01.jpg" alt="Berry Picking Photo 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/BerryPickingJune15_02.jpg" alt="Berry Picking Photo 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MoniqueInGrass01.jpg" alt="Berry Picking Photo 03"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/MoniqueInGrass02.jpg" alt="Berry Picking Photo 04"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1150230805875894172006-06-12T12:21:00.000-06:002006-06-14T13:35:32.043-06:00Raiders Celebrates 25 Years<img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ROTLAPoster01.jpg" alt="Raiders of the Lost Ark movie poster 01"><br /><br />25 years ago today, movie fans witnessed "the return of the great adventure" when George Lucas and Steven Spielberg brought us <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>.<br /><br />A personal all-time favorite, <i>Raiders</i> took viewers into the world of archeologist, Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. and his quest for the lost <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant">Ark of the Covenant</a>. The film, styled after old movie serials, would spawn two sequels, video games, books, comics, and other related merchadise. Currently discussions are underway to film a fouth adventure with the Fedora-wearing, whip-wielding archeologist.<br /><br />As was the case with the original release, the film continues to inspire filmmakers, archeologists, scholars, artists, video game designers, special effects technicians, stunt men, sound designers, and armchair adventurers.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ROTLAPhoto01.jpg" alt="Raiders of the Lost Ark still photo 01"><br /><br />To celebrate the historic film and its anniversary, I've put together a few links to send you off on your own adventure...<br /><br /><li><a href="http://indianajones.com/raiders/bts/news/f20060612/index.html">Twenty-Five Reasons to Watch <i>Raiders</i> Again</a> - The official Indiana Jones website provides 25 little-known facts about the film.<br /><li><a href="http://www.theraider.net/">TheRaider.net</a> - One of the finest digsites for news, facts, events, fan films, forums, and references about the <i>Indiana Jones</i> projects. Be sure to check out the great 25th anniversary <a href="http://www.theraider.net/news/fullstory_theraidernet.php?id=64">tribute post</a> they've put together, with wallpapers, screenshots, and references.<br /><li><a href="http://www.indygear.com">IndyGear</a> - From the famous Fedora, to the rugged leather jacket, to the trusty bullwhip, IndyGear is THE Indiana Jones Equipment Resource. Spend valuable research time in the Props section and visit the forum where you can learn how other fans make their own. Make it a priority to visit <a href="http://www.indygear.com/DWR/DWR_peak.shtml"><i>Dr. David West Reynolds' The Archeology of Indiana Jones</i></a> section so you can learn about the real-life inspirations behind the movies!<br /><li><a href="http://www.indyfan.com/">Indyfan.com</a> - A website by Indy fans for Indy fans.<br /><li><a href="http://www.lucasarts.com/games/indianajones/">Indiana Jones (In Development)</a> - Information, screenshots, and a trailer for the upcoming video game from <a href="http://www.lucasarts.com">Lucasarts</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/ROTLAPoster02.jpg" alt="Raiders of the Lost Ark movie poster 02"><br /><br />Step into the time machine and check out the original trailer for <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i> at <a href="http://www.movie-list.com/trailers.php?id=raidersofthelostark">this link</a>.<br /><br /><font size=-2>Images TM, © & Copyright © Lucasfilm, Ltd. and Paramount Pictures.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1154493124515902932006-06-11T23:30:00.000-06:002006-08-02T00:04:50.440-06:00Photos: Venus Fly TrapsI've always wanted a Venus Fly Trap and we know a few friends who might like to have one, so we picked up a few today. April and I were supervised by the cats while we transplanted the Fly Traps into larger pots.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps01.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps02.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps03.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps04.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps05.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps06.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/VenusFlyTraps07.jpg" alt="Venus Fly Traps photos 01"><br /><br /><font size=-2>Photos © 2006 Chad Kerychuk.</font>Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1148490819496822452006-05-24T12:12:00.000-06:002006-05-24T11:14:32.323-06:00Dracorex hogwartsiaA new type of dragon-like dinosaur has been named <i>Dracorex hogwartsia</i> in honor of the celebrated <a href="http://www.mugglenet.com/"><i>Harry Potter</i></a> books by J.K. Rowling.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/DracorexhogwartsiaPhoto01.jpg" alt="Dracorex hogwartsia photo from The Children's Museum of Indianapolis."><br /><font size=-2>Photo of <i>Dracorex hogwartsia</i> © The Children's Museum of Indianapolis</font>.<br /><br />The nearly complete skull was discovered by three friends from Sioux City, Iowa during a fossil collecting trip to South Dakota. More information can be found at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis <a href="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/dinosphere/draco_rex/index.html">Dinosphere website</a>.<br /><br />Be sure to check out the video interview with the donors of the fossil, the Museum President, and world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Robert Bakker.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://atomicsurgery.blogspot.com">Atomic Surgery</a> for the link.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1148458915248705512006-05-24T07:30:00.000-06:002006-05-24T02:26:23.806-06:00Ray Harryhausen Brings New Projects to Life<img src="http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/DallmeierHarryhausenPainting01.jpg" alt="Dallmeier Ray Harryhausen painting."><br /><font size=-2>Ray Harryhausen tribute painting © <a href="http://www.dallmeierart.com/harryhausen.htm">Jim Dallmeier</a>.</font><br /><br />Stop-motion animation legend Ray Harryhausen will be helping to develop a series of new features, TV movies, video games, and merchandising under the <i>Ray Harryhausen Presents</i> banner for <a href="http://www.mindfireentertainment.com/">Mindfire Entertainment</a> according to <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060523/film_nm/harryhausen_dc_1">Reuters and the Hollywood Reporter</a> via Yahoo! News. From the article:<blockquote>Producer Mindfire Entertainment, which joined forces on the projects with the 85-year-old director, said several scripts are in development -- one set in Greek mythology and another with an alien invasion theme. Production on the first film is set to begin in the fall.<br /><br />The plan is to release one movie in the $15 million range and three TV projects in the $4 million range every year, Mindfire CEO Mark Altman said. <b>Harryhausen will oversee all visual effects, which will be done in CGI (computer-generated imagery) but will be in the spirit of his stop-motion effects</b>, Altman said.<br /><br />Harryhausen said "utilizing the incredible advances in visual effects technology" would enable him to reach an entire new generation of audiences. "These stories are universal, and I could not be more thrilled than to revisit some of my favorite worlds -- past, present and future -- in these new films," he said.</blockquote>As a great admirer of Harryhausen's work, I'm thrilled to hear that he's bringing out some fresh ideas from old worlds for all of us to enjoy. Take a look at many reecent feature films (<i>Jurassic Park</i>, <i>Starship Troopers</i>, <i>Peter Jackson's King Kong</i>) or video games (<i>Killer Instinct</i>, <i>Age of Mythology</i>, <i>God of War</i>) and I guarantee you'll see the Harryhausen influence.<br /><br />Even if Ray does nothing more than provide the initial concepts and inspiration, you can bet the projects will be both epic and fantastic.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740814.post-1147987277981368262006-05-18T16:18:00.000-06:002006-05-22T00:48:03.523-06:00Classic MuppetsA Muppet classic found over on YouTube...<br /><br />"Mahna Mahna:"<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7vvdOGwPu4"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7vvdOGwPu4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />More Muppet goodies at <a href="http://www.youtube.com">YouTube</a>.Chad Kerychukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801536029977275839noreply@blogger.com0