The hours are crawling by as we wait for the premiere of the new Steampunk and Mythology inspired Riese the Series. Being three hours ahead of the folks out in Vancouver, BC (where series creator Ryan Copple and team are located), I can’t help but wonder what time of day they plan on launching. Is Episode 1 of Chapter 1 already uploaded and just waiting for the clock to roll past midnight and officially be November 2nd so they can post the episode? Or will they wait until later in the day, when most people are awake and in the grip of their daily routines? Regardless of when it actually launches, the day has arrived, or as the tagline goes: THE HUNT IS ON! I’ve made it through months of waiting, I think I might servive a few more hours if I absolutely have to.
If you haven’t already checked out the Riese the Series website, they’ve just re-launched with an awesome new look. According to the Episodes link, the Chapter 1 episode list is as follows:
I know Chapter 2 filming will be underway in a few weeks so hopefully there won’t be too much of a break between Chapter 1 ending and Chapter 2 premiering. While you wait for the first episode to premiere, re-watch the above trailer, join the forum and bookmark the Riese websites listed here:
“He wanted to change the world. But the world changed him.”
Joss Whedon is one of the coolest filmmakers around. Not only does he keep churning out great shows like Firefly, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog, but he encourages fan involvement. Firefly fans were thrilled to hear that production had begun on a fan-made Firefly film when Browncoats: Redemption was announced. It will be premiered at next summer’s DragonCon in Atlanta and takes place shortly after the events of Serenity. Now, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog fans are getting a prequel.
Premiering on November 10th, Horrible Turn takes a look at the teenage Billy and the events that led to his evil ways. Links were posted on Whedonesque.com and Twitter, where fan reactions are now pouring in. Be sure to check out the website (and read the fine print). This will be a great treat for fans who can’t wait for more Dr. Horrible.
Emilie Ullerup, best known for her roles on jPod and Sanctuary, guest stars on this week's Smallville episode, "Crossfire"
While Emilie Ullerup has won a Leo Award for Best Actress in the acclaimed show jPod, she is probably best known for the role of Ashley Magnus on Syfy’s Sanctuary. Having already guest-starred in such sci-fi and fantasy shows as Battlestar Galactica, Blood Ties and the film Paradox, she’s about to dive into another with a guest spot on this week’s Smallville. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, either.
With recent events on this season of Sanctuary, Emilie has gotten a lot of attention over the past few weeks. IMDb.com searches have gone up over 95% and a Google search of the past three weeks of posts regarding Emilie turned up almost 32,000 hits! With growing interest like that, a lot of Emilie fans may be tuning in to Smallville for the first time this week.
If you haven’t watched the first three episodes of Sanctuary this season and have avoided spoilers as of yet, don’t read any further until you’ve gone to Syfy.com and watched those episodes.
ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) I know you had surgery this summer. I’m sorry to hear you had complications! How are you recovering?
Emilie Ullerup (EU) Yeah… thank you. It was quite the process. Basically, it was a tumor that had grown out of my sacrum, wrapped itself around a couple of spinal nerves, and was causing me some grief. So, the only way to get rid of it was to surgically remove it, leaving large margins to make sure it wouldn’t spread. They took my tailbone, the nerves that were involved and (I think) some of my sacrum.
(ÜSFG) Ouch.
(EU) Ouch is right. Cool scar though! It’s easy to say that now that I’m on the other side of it. It was a life changing experience, wouldn’t do it again, but also wouldn’t take it back. I haven’t actually given the official statement until now! I know people have been wondering, so it’s time I let them know.
(ÜSFG) Yes, they have been wondering why you’ve been so quiet about it. I realize part of that would have to be because some of that time period overlapped with the Sanctuary shooting schedule and you can’t give away too many spoilers for the season. Are you expecting a full recovery? Will it affect your ability to do most of your own stunts in future projects?
(EU) It shouldn’t affect anything. It’s just a reaaalllyyy slow recovery. I’m not good at being patient but I’ve been forced to be in this case. I definitely count on being able to kick ass again some time in the future!
(ÜSFG) Good to hear!
(EU) Thanks and also thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me.
(ÜSFG) It did give you lots of time to spend with family though, right?
(EU) My mom came to Vancouver a couple of times throughout. Because there were a few unexpected bumps along the way, she felt best being here at times. It was scary and when it gets scary, the best one to have along with you is your mom… so we spent lots of time together in the hospital, talking, talking and talking.
(ÜSFG) Moms do have a knack with providing comfort in scary times.
(EU) They do indeed.
(ÜSFG) Are you pretty close to back to normal now or will it take a few more months?
(EU) I can do almost everything. I wasn’t allowed to sit for about four months, so that is still new to me. I can’t drive yet because of that but I’m going to the gym, core strengthening, trying to get back in shape, but at least I can be on my own now. I can do all the daily things. It’s crazy how much you can all of a sudden appreciate being able to put your own socks on!
(ÜSFG) When we spoke back in February about Season 2, you said you hoped the Sanctuary team would give you “some juicy, juicy stuff for us all to sink our teeth into” and “I would love some sort of head to head conflict with mom.” It seems you got what you wished for but not exactly in the way you were expecting. After being turned into a super-mutant vampire warrior and sent to destroy her mother and the rest of the Sanctuary network, Ashley apparently dies at the end of Episode 2 after being disintegrated by an electromagnetic field.
(EU) Yeaaaah… not exactly what I was expecting, you’re right.
(ÜSFG) Did your surgery have any effect on that or was this something they had already scripted before you found out about it?
(EU) No, my surgery had nothing to do with this. Killing off Ashley was a network decision made before I knew I had to have surgery but I have faith that there are no real deaths in sci-fi… There will be storylines in the future where I’m sure Ashley could be worked in…
(ÜSFG) What was your reaction to the death of Ashley when you first found out about it?
(EU) I was of course sad. I’ve had a blast on the show and I felt Ashley had so much story to explore still.
(ÜSFG) Yes, she did. And with the turning evil bit, there was so much to explore with her and through her interactions with her friends and family.
(EU) At the same time though, I am excited for what lays ahead. I am excited to get into new projects and hopefully remain busy with lots of colorful characters to explore.
(ÜSFG) I’m looking forward to it, too. I’m certain you have big things in store!
(EU) I believe that there is a reason for me to be out in the world of unemployed actors again and I can’t wait to see what happens next in my career.
(ÜSFG) Was it hard to keep the secret after reading the script?
(EU) At times it was hard. Being at Haven 1 was hard.
(ÜSFG) Oh? Lots of fan questions, I imagine.
(EU) Yeah… They were good though. They knew I couldn’t reveal too much.
(ÜSFG) You didn’t have a lot of dialog in your final three episodes so most of your acting was non-verbal. The final look Ashley gave Magnus broke a lot of fans’ hearts. What was the feel on set while filming that emotional final scene with Amanda Tapping?
(EU) Tough day for sure. Amanda and I were both really feeling the heaviness of the situation; gave way to some true organic moments. There were a few of the tough guys who had to clear their throats here and there. It was really sweet.
(ÜSFG) There’s been a lot of anguish over that final scene. That final glance, you looked 100% sincere.
(EU) Yeah, that was all real and the final scene of Eulogy was almost impossible to do. It was the final scene for me, and throughout rehearsals I was in tears. The director had to remind me that I couldn’t be in tears, that Ashley was supposed to be at peace, so I really had to pull myself together. Ryan, Robin, Chris and Amanda were all there, all so sad, and I was like “REALLY?!? I have to pull it together as the only one?!?!” There was so much love though… it felt really nice.
(ÜSFG) It’s good to know everyone was there for you though, feeling the pain of losing you to a network decision. I know you said you’ve seen some of the comments from fans over killing Ashley. Many fans, especially those who’ve been watching since the web series days, are saying they are done with the show and don’t plan to watch anymore unless she is brought back. Were you expecting this kind of backlash from fans and how do you feel about it, knowing that you’ve got such a strong, supportive fan-base? I imagine it’s a mixed feeling, appreciating the support but wanting something you put so much of yourself into to continue to thrive even without you.
(EU) I have been completely overwhelmed with the outpouring of support. I am so grateful to have so many people that care so much! And hopefully that will mean that there will be a place for Ashley in the future.
(ÜSFG) You’ve been so genuine and available to fans and that makes a huge difference in the sci-fi community.
(EU) Well, they’re all so genuine and available to me, so really, it’s a two-way street. Aw shucks… so much love everywhere…
(ÜSFG) Whether or not you return to Sanctuary, I’m certain it will continue to have a lasting influence on you as an actor and on your career. What do you think is the most important thing you have learned while working on Sanctuary?
(EU) I will be eternally grateful to Sanctuary. Were it not for Sanctuary, I would not have this huge fan-base who (I hope) will continue to follow me as I venture into new projects.
(ÜSFG) I’m sure they will!
(EU) I think the most important thing I have learned is to never take anything for granted. Things can change in a heartbeat… and also to try to not take things too personally.
(ÜSFG) Difficult but good lessons to learn.
(EU) Invaluable in this business I think.
(ÜSFG) Well, you’ve proven to be a tough cookie so I’m sure you are going to do just fine, whatever comes your way. Many fans are hoping this is a marketing ploy to stir up the fans and drive stronger interest in the show. With the body absent, it does leave lots of room for Ashley’s return at some point in the future. A lot of fans want to know what you will do until we all know if Ashley really is dead or just being manipulated by Dana and the Cabal. There are tons of independent film projects in Vancouver as well as a dozen TV shows. Have you had any auditions lately?
(EU) Oh yes, I have been very busy lately. There are still projects that I am not able to do physically, but I try to get out for as much as possible. I have been incredibly close on almost everything, which feels great. And I did an episode of Smallville but I also have to remember to heal first, work later; so, one day at a time.
(ÜSFG) You’re playing Catherine “Cat” Grant in the episode “Crossfire” which airs tomorrow night on the CW. There are a couple of leaked shots of the episode and I have to say, you are looking great! That dress suit is quite a departure from the dark outfits Ashley wore on Sanctuary or the casual wardrobe Kaitlyn wore on jPod.
(EU) Ha, yeah it sure is.
(ÜSFG) Did you like getting to play a sunny, feminine role again?
(EU) I had a lot of fun with Catherine Grant. I got to be light and bright and bumbling and a bit dorky. Bumbling and dorky are two of my own strong traits. It would be a great character to further explore but I had a blast with what I was given on the one episode.
(ÜSFG) Did you do any research into Catherine’s TV and comic book history before shooting the role?
(EU) Yeah, but they went in a bit of a different direction with the TV version.
(ÜSFG) If Smallville follows previous storylines in the Superman mythology, Catherine could very well become the third corner of a Lois/Clark/Cat love triangle. Did you and Tom (Welling) have the kind of on-screen chemistry that you think could lead to Cat Grant becoming a recurring role for you?
(EU) I guess we’ll see tomorrow! I had a blast shooting with Tom. He’s so relaxed and fun, and I know Erica (Durance) because Kyle (Cassie) worked with her earlier this year… so it would be a blast getting to muck things up for the two of them.
(ÜSFG) I think adding Cat to the mix would certainly be a great monkey-wrench in the Clark/Lois relationship that is developing this season. Hopefully the producers feel the same and invite you back a few times.
(EU) Yeah! Let’s hope!
(ÜSFG) You did a cameo in Steph Song‘s upcoming film, Paradox. Do you have any plans or have there been any talks of projects with other Podsters in the future?
(EU) Wouldn’t that be absolutely amazing?!! I think we would all LOVE to work together again. Hopefully it’ll be in the cards at some point. We are all still such close friends. It’s wonderful. That was just the dream cast, for me anyway.
(ÜSFG) I think it was for all of you. As a fan of the show, it’s great to know your onscreen chemistry extended to real life.
(EU) Yeah, we just had FUN on that set. It was nonstop silliness. And it extended well beyond the cast as well. Kyle and I are headed to J.B. Sugar‘s Halloween party tomorrow actually. We all try to see each other as often as possible. Steph just drove me to an audition earlier this week. It’s really wonderful!
(ÜSFG) That was sweet of her. She is pretty awesome.
(EU) Yup!
(ÜSFG) I personally find it an interesting coincidence that Steph’s episode and your episode of Smallville are airing back to back. 🙂
(EU) Ha! Yeah, we laughed at that too. We are continuously intertwined, her and I…
(ÜSFG) I talked to her last week and had such a blast. I can just imagine the two of you hanging out and what fun it is.
(EU) We get pretty silly. And we can lean on each other for career advice which is just invaluable.
(ÜSFG) Hopefully you’ll get to work together again in the future. 🙂 Would you consider doing another web series?
(EU) I would most certainly be interested in another web series. I have full faith in what that can do after my Sanctuary experience.
(ÜSFG) You mentioned doing a music video with Caleb’s Hope. Do you have any musical talents and aspirations for fans to look forward to? You mentioned wanting to work in New York. Is Broadway in your possible future?
(EU) Oooh… eh hehe… I can actually sing. I am shy though.
(ÜSFG) Awesome!
(EU) It’s not something I’ve worked a lot on, and therefore don’t feel super confident, but the dream is there, for sure. A musical would be a blast, like what Glee is doing right now — SO great!
(ÜSFG) Very cool! So what is your vocal range?
(EU) This is getting technical now.
(ÜSFG) Lol. Um, okay, what singers do you find it easier to sing along with or what musicals and parts do you like best and feel more comfortable belting out?
(EU) When I was driving, I would sing along to Adele. Now Kyle has to drive me everywhere, so I’ve toned down the belting. Chris (Heyerdahl) and I sang along to “Summer Nights” from Grease at the convention (Wolf Haven One), that was quite a sight…
(ÜSFG) Oh, I would have loved to have heard that.
(EU) Hehe… I bet you would…
(ÜSFG) I’m listening to Adele’s To Make You Feel My Love at the moment. How does your voice compare? Do you have that Joplin sound or just more comfortable hitting those notes?
(EU) I’m comfortable in the midrange and can relatively easily go into my falsetto… but I’m sure I’d need some fine tuning. My mom is big on music, so we always played and sang together, weddings and such…
(ÜSFG) You mentioned last night that the theatre scene isn’t that big in Vancouver but have you been to any shows?
(EU) I’ve been to a couple. It’s hit and miss here…
(ÜSFG) Awesome. I have been known to belt out “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” more than once. 😀
(EU) Me too!
(ÜSFG) You really have tons of freedom at the moment so it must be just as scary as it is exciting for you. Are you planning on sticking around Vancouver for a while longer or are you looking at making a move or spending the summer in some place like LA or New York?
(EU) I’m actually planning to do this LA thing in the New Year. It’s time to try and swim in the big pond. I feel like I’ve got enough under my belt to make it worthwhile.
(ÜSFG) You definitely have accomplished a lot in a fairly short amount of time. And you’ve covered quite a spectrum of characters in that time.
(EU) Yeah, I’ve been so lucky. There’s still so much more to learn, but at some point you have to take the leap, right?
(ÜSFG) Yes, you do. Hmm. Steph said she was going to LA this summer, too. Are you going on that adventure together?
(EU) We might very well be down there at the same time and so might Ben (Ayres); David (Copp) is already there and I think actually Torrance (Coombs) is going too! How great is THAT?!
(ÜSFG) That is awesome! Maybe you can do a cheesy horror together? I know Torrance just worked with Kody Zimmermann on the Familiar so maybe some indie project like that awaits you all.
(EU) I’m in!
(ÜSFG) You know, Steph has the production side of things (because of Island Films) and you all have such great chemistry. Ever thought of doing an indie project together, as in you all write it and produce it together? Look at films like The Brothers McMullen and Paranormal Activity. Friends got together and produced something they loved for about $10,000-$15,000 and made more then $10,000,000 at the box office.
(EU) We all have dreams of getting our own stuff made. Kyle and I have several projects that we are working on. The dream is to get to work with your friends. So when we can fit characters in that work for people we want to work with, we try to make that happen. Right now though, Kyle and I are all about developing. We’d like to sit on a bunch of creative property so that when the right connections are made, we have several different genres to lure people in with… That sounds evil… it wasn’t meant to.
(ÜSFG) No, it doesn’t sound evil. It sounds like a smart business plan. When you do get that break and produce some amazing content, you want to make sure you have another ace up your sleeve for the follow-up.
(EU) Precisely… It’s exciting to be on this side, too; to feel like you’ve got some say in your career. When the phone goes silent, it’s all about making it happen for yourself.
(ÜSFG) Yes, exactly. That’s why so many talented people are taking advantage of the Internet to directly produce their own projects, cutting out the middleman and taking control of their lives and careers.
(EU) I think that extends so much further than our profession. We have to take responsibility for our own destinies.
(ÜSFG) Yes, we do. Is there anything else you want to say to fans?
(EU) I actually have a question for the fans.
(ÜSFG) Oh?
(EU) If Ashley ever came back to the show, how could it be done in a manner where viewers aren’t like, “Oh, what a boring way to bring her back”? How to not make it “cheap”, and in what capacity would they want to see her back?
(ÜSFG) Oooh. Good question. I’ll make sure to plaster that all over the message boards, if that’s okay with you?
(EU) Yeah…
(ÜSFG) Well, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me and for being so candid. Thank you!
(EU) You’re welcome! Always a pleasure.
In science fiction, even when there’s a body, dead isn’t always dead. A perfect example would be Daniel Jackson of Stargate SG-1 who died and came back several times throughout the show and Carson Beckett of Stargate Atlantis who was brought back in the form of a clone after much backlash and an unyielding fan campaign finally overwhelmed the producer’s decision. On Battlestar Galactica, actress Katee Sackhoff and the producers of the show staged a huge blowup over the death of her character Starbuck that even the other actors of the show weren’t aware of. As part of a super-secret plot and marketing strategy, she and the producers had a very public falling out that turned out to be a ruse and Starbuck came back in a season finale surprise that completely steered the direction of the remainder of the show. Sometimes, though, favorite characters are killed off permanently, as was the case with Stargate SG-1‘s Dr. Janet Frasier.
While her future seems grim, there is some cause for hope. In a promo for interactive fan experience, Sanctuary and Beyond, we see Will Zimmerman speaking with a mystery woman in the infirmary. She asks, “Will my blood be of any use to Dr. Magnus’ daughter? Will she be able to save her?” Zimmerman replies “I don’t know” before getting interrupted by our eavesdropping.
Season 2 is already filmed and in post-production so we fans will just have to wait out the season to find out if Ashley is Daniel-Dead or Janet-Dead. In the meantime, get your Emilie Ullerup fix by watching her tomorrow night on Smallville and by picking up the DVD of the wonderful series jPod. Paradox is still in post-production but should be out sometime in 2010 so don’t forget to keep watching for that as well.
Thanks to Emilie for taking the time to speak with us today and a special thank-you to 2Shy, ljscott, PlayItGrand, WR_Systems, Missreepicheep, Aaron and Victoria for sending in questions for her.
For many comic book fanatics it was Stan Lee or Jack Kirby who stole their hearts and made them life-long fans. For artists, the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe or Salvidor Dali influenced their love of art. For me, my comic book and artistic muse was one and the same: Mike Grell.
Like any other kid, I read any comic I could get my hands on but my favorites were always the high fantasy stories like Turok, Son of Stone and Conan the Barbarian. When Mike Grell introduced The Warlord, it brought about a resurgence of fantasy when the rest of the comic world was being over-run by mutants. Arion, Lord of Atlantis, Arak, Son of Thunder and other fantasy titles became mainstream finally, rather than relegated to independent publishers like Richard and Wendy Pini’s ElfQuest.
Mike wasn’t just drawing loincloth clad men wielding swords though. He was drawing incredibly detailed human figures at a time when other characters were becoming more loosely drawn. When other comics began relying on flashy ink, his comics would still look great in black and white. He wasn’t just drawing comics, he was creating art. As well as being a wonderful artist, Mike Grell was a great storyteller. The Warlord didn’t rely on just his fantastic art but compelling stories set in an Edgar Rice Burroughs or H. Rider Haggard-like other world. A blend of classic science fiction and fantasy, The Warlord followed the adventures of Lt. Col. Travis Morgan, an Air Force pilot shot down while on recon over icebound Russia. As he brings down his aircraft, he crashes in a land of eternal sunlight where magic and monsters still exist.
Based on the Hollow Earth theory (and Grell did his homework on it), Skartaris exists at the center of the Earth. The theory is that most planets are actually donut shaped with holes at the poles and a molten sun-like core at the center. The opening at the poles is gradual, spanning some 500 miles and thus is undetectable as one enters the center of the earth. This theory explains freshwater flows that should have been salty and grassy plains that should have been icebound that were found by Admiral Bird on one of his journeys to the poles. It also explains the phenomenon of Water Sky where the sky at the poles seems to mirror the surface of water and broken ice. It also explains why so many planets that are devoid of water appear to have polar ice caps: It’s the glow of the inner sun showing through the polar openings. Whether you think the theory is hogwash or potentially true, when you enter the lost world of Skartaris, it is a fact that Morgan deals with every day.
Introduced in a D.C.’s 1st Issue Special #8 in 1975, The Warlord premiered in its own series by DC Comics in 1976 and ran through 1989 with 133 issues. Grell prolifically worked on other titles such as Green Arrow: Longbow Hunters, Aquaman and his original series Shaman’s Tears and Jon Sable (which was published as a novel, was a short lived TV series and is still in development for a film adaptation). 1992 saw the brief return of The Warlord in a 6 issue mini-series. Continuing to be popular, a new series began in 2006 sans Grell. This new story was “reinvisioned” and upon opening the first issue, I literally cried, I was so horrified. Everything I loved about Grell’s Warlord was sorely absent. I guess I’m not the only one who felt that way as the new series was short-lived. It ended after only 10 issues and is largely regarded by fans as a bad dream that never really happened.
At 2008’s San Diego Comic-Con, while talking to Glenn Hauman over at the ComicMix booth (whose SABLE poster caught my eye), I was informed that Grell was coming back to the series as writer and cover artist. I was so thrilled, I ended up talking about how Grell had influenced my drawing style growing up, that his artwork inspired me and taught me how to draw, etc. For as long as I can remember, Mike Grell has been influencing me artistically, especially when trying to learn to draw again after a car accident robbed me of the ability. After hearing my story, Grell’s assistant (who had been sitting at the table listening to the discussion) sent me straight over to meet Mike, whom I had been unable to see all week due to other obligations. I had my first truly fan-girl moments as I stood teary-eyed and silent, looking through his portfolio (original hand-drawn art!) while listening to him tell the story of how The Warlord came to be published. After meeting him and his wife (and getting my First Issue Special #8 signed), I think my head was spinning. It was the perfect ending to my Comic-Con experience. Not only had I gotten to meet my hero, but I had learned that The Warlord was coming back.
Finally, it’s here. Issue #1 of the new The Warlord premiered in April with Mike Grell writing and doing the covers. Artists Joe Prado, Walden Wong, Chad Hardin and Wayne Faucher did a fine job with the artwork in issues 1 through 6. While not as beautiful as the work done by Grell himself, it did a much better job of capturing the essence of his work than previous artists did with the original series after Grell’s departure or in the 10-issue nightmare from 2006. With Issue #7, which is currently at your local newsstand or comic book shop, Grell returns as writer and illustrator. You can see some fabulous samples of his un-inked pages at his website to get a taste of what I mean about how amazing his art looks in black and white.
Unlike the 2006 relaunch of the series, this story doesn’t try to reinvent the character but rather picks up today and revisits the world we left behind in 1992. While some long-time fans will still have questions lingering about secrets and events from the past, new readers will not feel like they are on the outside looking in. The story picks up from the point of view of Alysha, a paleontologist who discovers a frozen dinosaur in a cave at The Roof of the World in Tibet. After bringing a special team in to secretly study the specimen, they discover something else in the cave: a portal to the lost world of Skartaris. Through the events that unfold after this discovery, Alysha gets a brief recap of the original storyline and Grell very craftily eases the reader into the history and events that shaped the success of the original run of the series.
The introductory storyline wraps up neatly at the end of the first 6 issues and a new storyline begins in issue 7 with Grell completely at the helm. The storyline is, as always, well told and intriguing. Grell has a knack for exploring moral ambiguities and flaws in his creations and his characters are not the polished and perfect heroes you see in many other publications. As a result, his stories are more interesting, his characters more compelling and real. While the wonderful storytelling makes me read through the story quickly to devour every moment, the artwork and layout gives me pause and sends me back through the issue to study each panel for details and imagery that tell the story even more completely.
I’m absolutely thrilled by the new The Warlord and hope this new series has the longevity of the original run. You don’t have to have read the original series to be able to get into this, but for those of you who missed The Warlord first time around, you can check out Showcase Presents: Warlord Vol. 1. This new, quality paperback includes reprints of the 1st Issue Special #8 and issues 1-28 of the original series.
Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.
When Robert Jordan passed away in 2007, the final book of his Wheel of Time series remained unfinished. As one of the most cherished fantasy epics ever written, spanning nearly 20 years and 11 volumes, his wife Harriet McDougal (who was also his editor) called upon author Brandon Sanderson to help complete her husband’s work and bring a conclusion to the Wheel of Time saga. His unfinished work, A Memory of Light, was so extensive in scope of story that it will be released in three parts, the first of which, The Gathering Storm, will be released by Tor/Macmillan in just 5 days on October 27th. You can find it in your local bookstores on Tuesday or you can pre-order it now on Amazon.com.
In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward — wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders — his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.
Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower — and possibly the world itself.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
Be sure to check out The Gathering Storm and, if you haven’t already, read the series. It’s never too late to start! While you are waiting, check out Team Jordan, as they have come to be called, as they talk briefly about the task of gathering and putting together Jordan’s notes to complete the Wheel of Time series.
When we last spoke with Steph Song, she had just finished principal photography on the films The Thaw and Paradox and was about to begin the film festival circuit promoting the wonderful Dim Sum Funeral. She was kind enough to catch us up recently on what she’s been up to.
Be sure to watch Steph as Roulette on Smallville this Friday October 23rd. The Thaw is now available on DVD and Paradox is still in post-production. jPod is available to watch streaming on CBC.com and TheWB.com, and can be purchased from Amazon.com. Also, don’t forget to stop by stephsong.com and islandfilms.net to keep up-to-date on Steph’s latest projects.
A few years ago while fans were still reeling over the announcement of Stargate SG1 coming to an unexpected end, I started surfing the web for interviews with cast members to see what their reactions were to the cancellation. During one of my searches, I found an interview with Amanda Tapping (who played Samantha Carter on SG1) on a Vancouver morning show. In this interview she mentioned a new project in the works. This new series, Sanctuary, was being produced and released directly to the web. With a host of Stargate regulars both in the creation and production of the show, it was certainly a promising idea.
I looked for anything I could find on Sanctuary and stumbled upon a creaking and rattling gate that said, “Coming Soon.” I bookmarked the site and checked back regularly for updates. One fateful day, I noticed the tiny print added to the corner of the screen: Join the Team. Of course, I jumped on that right away. A few days later, I received an email inviting me to participate as a beta tester on the website before it publicly launched and so began my Sanctuary adventure.
It was an incredible experience. Everyone was so excited to be a part of this new idea and we spent months crawling through every nook and cranny of the website reporting any issues we encountered and providing feedback for the team. While we patiently waited for the launch of the show, we started getting to know each other. We speculated over the characters, the stories and the world we were about to delve into. We also did a lot of goofing off while we waited. Tons of inside jokes formed as a result (Trollops, Okra and Channel 13 Action News being among the most pervasive) and fan fiction sprang up exploring and speculating on the world of Sanctuary.
Finally the day came and thousands of people waited up all night long for the launch of the first webisodes. No one was disappointed. From the beginning, we were drawn into the world of Sanctuary and became permanent residents of it. We discussed everything from technical achievements and visual effects to character development and the mythology behind creatures and inhabitants of Sanctuary. By the time the 8th webisode aired, Damien Kindler, Amanda Tapping and team had garnished fans for life. While millions of us anxiously awaited more episodes, the news broke that they were in talks with television networks for a re-launch on T.V. The following fall, we finally got a look at the new, polished and shiny television version of Sanctuary.
The 8 webisodes were reworked, edited and expanded into the first 3 episodes of the T.V. series with new footage added in to flesh out the story to cover over 120 minutes. The first 3 episodes were a tiny bit hard for me to watch the first time around. I kept seeing the original incarnations and had trouble reconciling the changes at first. Beginning with episode 4, Folding Man, that problem went away. Here, we began to explore the world we had first begun to delve so many months before. Over the next 9 episodes, they continued to draw us into their fantastical world of monsters and mystery.
Our introduction to this mysterious world is through the eyes of forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne). While investigating what the police insist was a massacre by a criminal with a violent past, Will comes up with a very different theory. After witnessing a boy leaving the crime scene and going in pursuit of him, Will encounters Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) for the first time. After continuing his search for the boy despite discouragement from the police, Magnus approaches Will about joining her team. As Will gets more deeply immersed in the world of the Sanctuary, we are taken along with him and what he discovers is amazing.
In the two part premier, Sanctuary for All, we learn that the Sanctuary is actually a global network of facilities created to protect the creatures (or Abnormals) of the world who need protecting and to imprison the creatures the world needs protected from. At the heart of the Sanctuary is research into the amazing genetic secrets hidden within every living creature on Earth. Each episode follows the adventures of the enigmatic Dr. Helen Magnus who is assisted by her feisty and fearless daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) and her gadgetry-wizard, Henry Foss (Ryan Robbins). Will becomes Magnus’ protégé as the team searches the world over for creatures believed to be only myths and legends that prove to not only be real but in many cases living among us.
While the stories deal with what we might consider monsters (there are lots of them in there, too), the series also explores the soul of humanity. After all, what is it that makes someone a monster, what they look like or what is in their heart? As the series tagline puts it, Even things that go bump in the night need protection.
The look and feel of the show reminds me of the books I grew up from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard and Jules Verne. The mixture of science fiction, history and mythology with just a hint of Steampunk influence blends together to create a unique, living and breathing world. There are no limits to the stories that could be told here. Anything you can imagine or dream could be found here.
The award winning effects are almost always flawless and it’s hard to believe that most of this world is completely CGI. Filmed against green screen, the actors rely on their talents rather then props and report it’s quite like acting on stage.
Helen Magnus has so much history in her past that I can’t wait to learn more about her life and experiences. While Amanda Tapping is as always a wonderful lead, I find myself highly interested in the entire cast as an ensemble. I want to see more of everyone and what tidbits we learn feel like appetizers and I look forward to the real in-depth exploration of the rest of the team.
Will is a combination of Adrien Monk and Shawn Spencer from Psych with a twist of Nick Stokes from CSI tossed in for good measure. He uses his observation and profiling skills to get inside the head of the beings they encounter (Abnormals are people, too, after all).
My favorite character is Ashley Magnus. A real hardcore and unstable, darker character in the webseries, her T.V. makeover toned her down, softened her up and added more depth to the character. She’s a tough and mouthy fighting machine (loving referred to by fans as Kick-Ash) with just enough femininity to round off the rough edges. With certain revelations made early in season one, the mother-daughter relationship has a lot of room for exploration.
Henry Foss is cute, geeky goodness and adorable in every way. He quips and wise-cracks his way through technical solutions from electromagnetic fields to sonic weaponry. When the big guns can’t do the job, he’s usually got something up his sleeve to solve the problem.
I really enjoy this series and look forward to seeing much more of it. My only issue with it is that, with only 13 episodes in the first season, there wasn’t enough exploration of the characters and relationships. I love character driven ensemble casts and they have assembled a marvelous cast here. Sometimes an episode began to explore those relationships but then rather than continuing to explore those themes in further episodes, they sometimes move on too quickly with the next show. I understand they want each episode to stand alone so it doesn’t feel like a soap opera but some things could be subtly continued from episode to episode to further develop and emotionally involved the audience with the show.
This 4 disc sets includes all 13 episodes of the first season as well as the original webseries, Behind the Scenes featurettes and photo gallery, Audio commentary on all 13 episodes, bloopers and a Season 2 sneak peek.
Sanctuary: The Complete First Season is now available on Amazon.com and other retail outlets where you normally purchase your favorite DVDs. Be sure to check it out and remember to watch Season 2 now airing on the Syfy channel, Space Channel and dozens of other networks globally.
Riese the Series won’t be premiering until November but it’s not too early to start submersing yourself in the world of Eleysia. Riese the Series is a perfect example of transmedia storytelling — the use of multiple mediums to tell a story and involve the consumer as a participant rather then just an observer in its unfolding. There’s a growing community on the Official Forum, where members are discussing clues and puzzles hidden within the pages of the new ARG (alternate reality game) that launched a few days ago on the propaganda-laden website The Sect is Here. (The Sect is the terrifying religious cult that is taking over Eleysia). What is an ARG? Well, according to CNET, an ARG is:
an obsession-inspiring genre that blends real-life treasure hunting, interactive storytelling, video games and online community and may, incidentally, be one of the most powerful guerrilla marketing mechanisms ever invented.
These games are intensely complicated series of puzzles involving coded Web sites, real-world clues like the newspaper advertisements, phone calls in the middle of the night from game characters and more. That blend of real-world activities and a dramatic storyline has proven irresistible to many.
The internet isn’t the only place Riese is reaching out, though. In our own universe, goggle-clad teammates were handing out postcards at Comic-Con in San Diego this year and there’s going to be an Anti-Sect Mob Protest in downtown Vancouver, BC, tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., if you can make it. While there is more information becoming available daily, much of Riese is still shrouded in mystery. To help shed some light on things, we asked series co-creator Ryan Copple a few questions about Riese.
ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) What inspired you to write Riese?
Ryan Copple (RC) There were a few ideas that really inspired Riese. For one, I love telling stories with dynamic and strong female characters. Plus, I find journey stories incredibly epic, so being able to have this tough, yet vulnerable, character traverse a dying land seemed like a great jumping off point. Mythology, fables and folklore heavily inspired the piece as well. We wanted to create a world where these sorts of stories would still exist and affect people, but also keep it close enough to the structure of our own world to make it resonate with modern audiences.
(ÜSFG) Tell us a little about your characters.
(RC) I love of all of our characters. Riese is very mysterious and almost aloof, but holds firm to her own convictions so strongly. She’s not a superhero though — she does what she can, on her own, and that’s enough for her. Although Fenrir is a wolf, he has such an intense personality. Ever the faithful guardian, its doubtful Riese would’ve survived this long without Fenrir’s protection. It definitely plays into the “pack” mentality.
Even Amara, who allowed her own family to be murdered in exchange for power, is still somewhat sympathetic. She’d lived in the shadows of her family for so long that when the opportunity presented itself for her to really shine, she took it. While it’s not something to be admired, it is a notion that I believe we all struggle with at some point. It’s clear it’s a decision that haunts her, but she can’t back down or show weakness. Additionally, this character intrigues because she is so driven and strategically brilliant on the one hand, but so politically vulnerable on the other.
Herrick and Trennan, our Sect members, are also pretty compelling. While at first people will view Herrick as the “one-dimensional villain” of the show, his depth really becomes apparent in the horrid actions he takes. He’s a man who has completely lost his humanity. Discovering the history that caused this, I think, will prove very interesting to viewers. Trennan, as opposed to Herrick, is almost the only character that retains any shred of humanity. He has a conscience and thinks about the consequences of the actions everyone is taking. I like to think of Trennan as being “us”, how we would act as people if we were in this world watching the events unfold.
(ÜSFG) Why did you choose steampunk, something traditionally reserved for graphic novels and anime, as your medium?
(RC) I wouldn’t say steampunk is our only medium — we’re very careful to say that we’re inspired by steampunk, not strict adherents. We love the genre, especially the anachronisms. It’s such a cool feeling to enter a world where electricity might exist, but not gas-powered vehicles. Placing this in a setting where monarchies and religions still rule the people also creates a further surreal feel to the setting. The fashions from steampunk, as well as the clockwork parts, are also amazing, so we definitely wanted to find ways to incorporate them into our story.
That being said, we still wanted to tell our own story with our own look. While we borrow heavily from the steampunk aesthetic, this does not take place in a Victorian-era future, but more of a Medieval-World War setting, which is not typical of steampunk. There are rudimentary steam-powered engines, and technology is sparse, but the technology itself is not the key focus of the show. I like to think we’ve taken the genre and done our own spin on it, not recreated it verbatim.
(ÜSFG) Steampunk traditionally features fantastical settings, clothes and technology. Are you relying heavily on CGI like condition: human and Sanctuary did or on more traditional sets and locations as seen in shows like Lumina and The Ennead?
(RC) It was very important to us that Riese was a very textured, gritty world. In our opinion, this wouldn’t be achievable with excessive visual effects. Instead, we opted to shoot in locations that really felt like they’d be part of this world — a decrepit, run down warehouse, for example. We had two green screen shots for matte paintings, but otherwise we wanted to keep this world as real as possible.
(ÜSFG) Why did you choose to produce Riese for the web instead of as a traditional film or television series?
(RC) Initially we thought of shooting Riese as a pilot, but realized if it didn’t fit into a network’s schedule, it would end up on a shelf somewhere and not be seen by anyone. So, the obvious conclusion was to broadcast it ourselves. Other shows (Sanctuary, The Guild) have had considerable success, so it wasn’t even a bad alternative. Plus it means we can really be connected with our fan base, show them we’re listening and want them involved, and really try to build a community around the show and its immersive story world rather than it just airing on a television station. The market for this form of entertainment is still relatively new, so while the future remains unclear, I believe we have a lot of innovative ideas that’ll really make it stand out — and this is something we could only do online.
(ÜSFG) Once you decided to make Riese, how long did it take to put it all together and get production rolling?
(RC) We actually spent over a year developing the concept and fleshing out the characters before we really began production. Preparing for the actual filming only took about two months, as we had enough experienced people on board to ensure we did everything as efficiently as possible. The saying you’re only as good as the people who surround you definitely proved true here.
(ÜSFG) What kind of budget do you have for Riese, and did you rely on traditional financing or is it primarily self-funded?
(RC) We have a budget that’s much larger than most traditional web series, largely due to the cast as well as the lengths we went to with production and costume design. It’s privately financed, and we’re blessed to have financial backers who really believe in us.
(ÜSFG) Your primary antagonist is a religious cult, The Sect. Is it just a “Big Brother” type of plot device or is there an underlying message you want to convey?
(RC) The Sect is a “Big Brother” persona, but it also has other indications. It is most definitely not a knock on any specific religion. With the imagined era we’re setting the world in, it seemed an appropriate organization to serve as the villains. The Sect is meant to show the dangers of blindly clinging to archaic belief systems and the problems of fanaticism.
Riese
(ÜSFG) I’ve been looking at your production stills and loving the wardrobe! I was curious how you’d pull off the steampunk feel but from what I’ve seen, you’ve nailed it. I do get the impression the clothing chosen for each character has more behind it than just looking cool or being functional, though. For example, Riese’s hooded cloak is lined in red, the only contrasting color other than her skin that you find in her outfit, and her companion is a wolf. This makes me think of a Stephen Sondheim style Little Red Riding Hood, the inexperienced girl going off into the dangerous world facing predators that threatened her mind and spirit as much as her life. The mechanical gears and mask worn by Herrick makes me think of the figurative political machine that moves behind the scenes, manipulating governments. Is it just my imagination or are aspects of the character’s clothing intentionally representative of ideas or themes you want the audience to subconsciously pick up on?
(RC) I’m glad you noticed the attention to detail that our outrageously talented costume designer, Megan Leson, brought to each piece. I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that we meticulously inspected each outfit to ensure it fit into this world. The costumes themselves are certainly archetypical to each character. Riese, the wanderer, travels with a wolf, in hiding, so a cloak with slashes of red turned out as a beautiful way to demonstrate that fairy tale connection, perhaps not so subtly. Each character also has a thematic palette that mirrors both their persona and their place in this imagined world. For example, Riese’s costumes are very much a dark, rugged leather, very earthy in nature. She’s the embodiment of a rogue that has strayed away from civilization. Amara, on the other hand, is a regal purple and platinum. Man-made and cold, she is the antithesis of Riese in every sense of the word.
The costumes of our Sect Members were also heavily inspired by both the steampunk genre and militaristic uniforms. You did well to pick up on the idea that the gears have deeper significance than just “looking cool”. Sect Members, as you’ll see in the show, are almost of a hive-mind, and so we really wanted to ensure this uniformity was apparent in their wardrobe — at the same time, we also wanted to make each look unique. Therefore, rather than insist they all wear the same clothing, we opted to connect them via their relics, or the clockwork. The idea is that the more relics one has affixed to themselves, the more indoctrinated into the Sect’s beliefs they are — a concept often seen in our own culture.
We embraced the idea of clockwork as being associated with The Sect for a number of reasons in their costumes. For one, we liked how much they stood apart from any aspect of the show, truly making the Sect a unique, and obviously strange, organization. In addition, as you stated, they have a deeper significance than simply being small pieces of brass — they represent something grander and more manipulative, working behind the scenes, not ever clear how exactly it functions. Finally, in this medieval, primitive world, the Sect’s technology is extremely advanced, which just illustrates how the people of these lands would fear them and be willing to give up their territory and people so easily.
(ÜSFG) You’ve wrapped on the first part of the series. How many webisodes will come from the first round of shooting and when will they start rolling out?
(RC) We shot five episodes and they will begin airing November 2nd. Pre-production has begun on the next six episodes, and will shoot in December.
(ÜSFG) Will Riese be an ongoing series with new adventures unfolding for as long as there is an interest and a following or do you have a story (or chapters) to tell that will come to a conclusion within a predetermined number of webisodes?
(RC) I’d say both — we definitely have a long term plan for Riese and its characters, but as I said before, we also have our ear to the ground every step of the way. So while there is a path Riese will follow on her journey, it’s also somewhat fluid to accommodate input from our viewers.
(ÜSFG) The cast and crew all seem so excited in the behind-the-scenes videos, and Chad Krowchuk commented on the symbiotic work relationship on the set. What was the feel on set during the production and how did it carry over into what you’re seeing on screen?
(RC) There was a huge sense of camaraderie, largely because people knew we were trying something that hadn’t been done before. Moreover, it was an opportunity for our crew to collaborate creatively, making Riese an even richer final product. Everyone was thrilled to be there, and we’re ecstatic to have the chance to work with them all again in December.
(ÜSFG) When can we expect to see an extended teaser trailer?
(RC) The full trailer is scheduled to be released early October.
Can’t get enough of Riese? Be sure to keep checking out these links for more treats and teasers before the series launches this fall:
Looney Labs first introduced the unsuspecting public to the madness that is Fluxx over a decade ago. Since that time, Fluxx has crept into card game-playing circles and families everywhere. As the name suggests, Fluxx is a game of change. With each card played, the rules change, the goals change and the gameplay changes. The original Fluxx was followed up over the years with expansions such as Monty Python Fluxx, Zombie Fluxx, EcoFluxx and Family Fluxx (which can, in some cases, be mixed and matched to create customized games). Other versions (such as Christian Fluxx, Jewish Fluxx and Japanese Fluxx) are floating around out there, too.
With the success of expansions such as Zombie Fluxx and Monty Python Fluxx, someone suggested a Martian Fluxx and the Looneys thought it sounded like a good idea. Martian Fluxx differs from previous versions of the game slightly and, unlike those other versions, can not be combined with other Fluxx games. Why not? Because in this game, you are the Martian Invaders, not the Pathetic Humans striving to save their planet.
The object of the game is to meet the current goal requirements to successfully launch an alien invasion. In order to meet those goals, you have Keepercards, items in your inventory that help you achieve success. You have obstacles called Creepers that foil your attempts at success. Fortunately, many Keepers can be used to nullify your Creepers and help you meet the victory conditions set by the Goal card. Unfortunately, and hilariously, those victory conditions are constantly changing.
For example, the goal may be War of the Worlds, which is to have both Mars and EarthKeeper cards placed in front of you. Let’s say you already have Earth on the table and Mars is in your hand but your turn is over and you can’t play it yet. Suddenly, the next player swaps out War of the Worlds for Mars Needs Women and now you need Mars and at least two human female Creepers on the table to win. Your new objective is to find those women before the goal changes again.
Goals aren’t the only things that are constantly changing. By default, you start with three cards, draw one card, and play one card during your turn, but New Rules can be played that replace the existing rules. For example, Draw 1 could be replaced by Draw 4. Play 1 could be replaced with Play All, and then you have no choice but to play every card in your hand every round, even the ones you don’t want to play, causing quite a riot and throwing a major monkey-wrench into your diabolical invasion plans. The 1 Card Hand Limit could be played and then, at the end of your turn, you must discard all but one of your cards. Your assured victory crumbles before your eyes time and time again.
As if the game isn’t funny enough already, bonus cards like Talk Like a Martian just adds to the laughter. I got to show off my Stitch and Marvin the Martian impersonations and score a few bonus cards in the process. Maybe I’m just an aggressive player (I wasn’t the kind of mother who let my kids win all the time when they were small), but I found myself prone to loud outbursts and laughter while playing, much to the dismay of those around us who couldn’t figure out the odd behavior exhibited by the weirdos in the break room at work.
Martian Fluxx is for 2 to 5 players and recommended for ages 8 to adult. Gameplay lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. The game includes over 100 cards, including:
If it follows in its ancestor’s footsteps, expansion packs should be available at some point in the future to further the Fluxx family fun. Whether you are a long-time Fluxx fanatic or you’ve never heard of the game before, Martian Fluxx is a treat that should be enjoyed with friends, so go buy it now! The fate of the human race may depend on you…
You can pick up a copy of Martian Fluxx through Looney Labs or Amazon, or find a retailer near you through Looney Labs’ Store Locator.
Philip K. Dick was known for his bizarre take on the future, his paranoid and delusional characters and strange, unexpected twists. While other authors were churning out utopian futures based on scientific advancements that improved the human condition, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? painted a future of rot and decay where the Earth is a slum that normal people want to escape from physically, while the genetically-challenged escape in their minds. Moods are dialed up and served like noodles or rice — any way you like it. Animals are rare, many extinct, and it’s become an obligation to care for them, your duty as a human. The world’s gods have been replaced by Mercer, a man whose struggles you can tune into virtually and find your humanity in the Unity of the struggle. Androids that have replaced human workers in the off-world colonies have become so life-like, you wouldn’t know if the guy next to you was a human or an “andy”.
Enter Rick Dekard, bounty hunter. His job is to find and “retire” andies who have escaped their masters and fled back to Earth to hide. With the lead bounty hunter in his area laid up in the hospital after a hunt went wrong, Dekard finds himself with the task of tracking down and retiring six andies.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is considered to be PKD at his best. It was the basis for the film Blade Runner, which for many was an introduction to PKD’s work. (Other film adaptations of PKD’s work include Next, Total Recall, Minority Report and Paycheck). In BOOM! Studios’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? they’ve chosen to celebrate the brilliance of the original story by illustrating it and including the full, unaltered text of the original novel. Blade Runner has been celebrated over and over again with re-masters, re-edits and director’s cuts. It’s about time Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? gets its turn.
A blend of traditional and digital illustrations, each issue has three alternate covers for the enthusiasts who want to try to collect them all, and has more than thirty high-quality pages. Each issue also includes backmatter, commentary included in the final pages by various authors who were greatly influenced by PKD’s work. The heavy pages are inked from edge to edge and are absolutely gorgeous. The price tag of $3.99 is a bargain considering how much you get and what you find between the covers.
Tony Parker’s artwork tells the story just as surely as PKD’s words do, and the colors by BLOND give the world and the characters depth and dimension. The contrast between light and shadow is as dramatic as the muted and glowing colors that spill across the pages. The illustrations are so rich and every frame seems photo-like. No busy or blank backgrounds here. Everything is well-balanced and compliments PKD’s story. In the first issue, there were a few pixelated images that may or may not have been intentional, but with the exception of that, these images are sharp and impressive.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? will be released as a 24-part maxi series, the first three issues of which are currently available from BOOM! Studios or your local comic shop. Regardless of whether you are a comic book collector, a fan of the film Blade Runner, or a Philip K. Dick fanatic like me, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is definitely worth adding to your collection.
Joss Whedon‘s Firefly only ran for 11 episodes in 2002 (14 were filmed) but it sparked a cultural movement in sci-fi fandom that hadn’t been seen since Gene Roddenberry‘s Star Trek was cancelled. The DVD sales of the series and fan campaigns were so successful that in 2005 Whedon was able to convince Universal Pictures to produce a film to continue the story of Firefly. The film spent two weeks in the top ten and earned over $38 million in domestic and foreign box office sales (though, according to Universal, it didn’t earn back its filming budget until it was released on DVD).
Fans of Firefly, called Browncoats after the losing faction in the battle between the Alliance and the Independents, have never quit clamoring for more and the fanbase continues to grow and become involved in community activities. Regional Browncoats organizations have made charities a central focus of their energies and the actors from the show have thrown in their support for those charities by offering their time, talent and sometimes keepsakes to help raise money for a good cause. Fresh content has been introduced in the way of comic books and role-playing games to help feed the fanbase, and the hunger just keeps growing.
Everyone keeps begging for more Firefly but nothing seems to be coming down the pipeline. Deciding to “put their money where their mouth is”, Michael C. Dougherty and Steven Fisher finally did something: they created a fan film.
The fan-funded film is set shortly after the events of Serenity, where the Alliance’s power and standing in the ‘verse has been shaken by the announcement of the events that took place on Miranda. Browncoats: Redemption expands the lore of the ‘verse by following the crew of the ship Redemption, all self-professed Browncoats who’ve “kept their noses clean” — until now.
Planned for a 2010 release, with its unveiling at next years’s DragonCon in Atlanta, the Browncoats: Redemption team hopes to not only fuel interest in the Firefly ‘verse but raise funds for charities. 100% of the film’s proceeds (after production costs) will be split between the charities Equality Now, Kids Need to Read, The Dyslexia Foundation, The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center and Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Early projections based on previous Firefly/Serenity related DVD sales have the filmmakers hoping to donate upwards of $80,000 to each charity (based on a $15 DVD price tag).
The team has been posting behind-the-scenes videos on their YouTube Channel and now you can get a first look at the Redemption crew in the newly released Browncoats: Redemption teaser trailer.
Be sure to check out their other Browncoats: Redemption links and throw in your support for their cause.
As promised, Riese the Series has been posting lots of fabulous new content, including our first glimpse of the teaser trailer. We’ve seen some great behind-the-scenes video on their YouTube Channel, and the goodies just keep coming! Ten gorgeous new photos have been added to their Gallery, both on their website and Facebook Page.
The more I see of this show, the more excited I get! We’ll be sure to keep you posted on new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, make sure you check out these great Riese links while you’re waiting:
