Category: Announcements

Neil needs You!

from The Legend of Neil:

Hey all,

So a bunch of our favorite webtertainment sites got together and created these web series specific awards, that I really really want to to win-er I mean it would be an honor to be even considered for (must… remember… humility). But we need your nominations in order to be considered! So please go to streamys.org and nominate Neil!

Here’s our ideal ballot

Best Comedy Series: The Legend of Neil (legendofneil.com)
Best Director (Comedy): Sandeep Parikh
Best Writing (Comedy): Tony Janning & Sandeep Parikh
Best Male Actor (Comedy): Tony Janning (Neil), Mike Rose (Old Man)
Best Guest Star in a Web Series (Comedy): Felicia Day (Fairy)
Best Editing: Sandeep Parikh
Best Cinematography: Richard E. Stark (amazing dungeon lighting!)
Best Art Direction: Leah Mann (she built a dragon out of styrofoam, and the level wall, skeletons, etc!)
Best Visual Effects: Sevan Najarian (fairy sex, fireballs, and more!)
Best Original Music: Robert Harrington (score), Sandeep Parikh (ridiculous opening song)

Also please nominate The Guild if you get the chance as well! Thanks so much for your continued support! All this kinda stuff helps bring you more Neil! Happy holidays!

Guild Episode 4 and Gag Reel Posted

from The Guild:

We’re very pleased to announce that TWO Guild videos were posted today on MSN Video, Xbox Live Video Marketplace (in HD), and the Zune Marketplace! Please catch them now!!

Episode 4: Heroic Encounter

Also a Gag Reel for Episodes 1-3 was posted:

AND don’t forget the Christmas Guild Spirit with “A Very Guild Christmas”!

If you could take the time to spread the word on your local forums and blogs, or “Digg” underneath the MSN Video for these episodes, we would definitely appreciate it!

ALSO if you’ll notice, Season 2 has now started rolling out in our CENTER PLAYER [at watchtheguild.com]! Yay! Please view it there, and then comment on our forums, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Happy Holidays! 🙂
The Guild Management

The Legend of Neil: Animatronic Skeletons and Fan Art

from The Legend of Neil:

Ok, I’ve seen some pretty amazing fan art in my day, but this has to take the cake. Our newfound beloved superfan, Jeri, has constructed an animatronic version of the Neil skeletons. I’m completely blown away and just have to share the links with you (and no it’s not Felicia Day even though it kind of looks like her, my brother was convinced that we just made this up. We did not, it’s real!) Check out part 1 and part 2 of how she put this all together.

Also we do have an official submission section for fan art and we haven’t seen squat. Send us some stuff, even if it looks like a 3 year old drew it. I need some cool pics to hang around our office for inspiration for the second season. C’mon people, drop everything and draw some fairy sex scenes already!

First Lady of Star Trek, Majel Barrett Roddenberry (1932-2008)

from Rod Roddenberry:

Majel Barrett Roddenberry passed away this morning, December 18, 2008, at 12:27 AM in her Bel Air home. She died peacefully, in her sleep, and was surrounded by family and loved ones.

“My mother truly acknowledged and appreciated the fact that Star Trek fans played a vital role in keeping the Roddenberry dream alive for the past 42 years. It was her love for the fans, and their love in return, that kept her going for so long after my father passed away.” — Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr.

Condolences can be sent via email to share@roddenberry.com or by mail to:
Roddenberry Productions
4400 Coldwater Canyon Avenue, Suite 100
Studio City, CA 91604

“First Lady of Star Trek” Majel Barrett Roddenberry Passes Away at the Age of 76

Los Angeles, CA (December 18, 2008) –- Actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry, beloved star of sci-fi phenomenon Star Trek passed away early this morning surrounded by family and friends. Roddenberry was 76 years old. She began her acting career in the 1950’s with roles in such popular shows as Leave it to Beaver, Bonanza and The Lucy Show; but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community. Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title “The First Lady of Star Trek.” Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene’s partner, but also his creative muse. Roddenberry helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death. Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.

Roddenberry succumbed to a short battle with Leukemia at 12:27 AM on December 18 in her Bel-Air home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son Rod Roddenberry and family friends. She is survived by her only son Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry Jr. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the CARE Organization or Precious Paws both of which share Roddenberry’s love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.

Precious Paws
18034 Ventura Blvd., #430
Encino, CA 91316
preciouspaws.org
(818) 304-5595

C.A.R.E.
P.O. Box 56631
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
care4pets.org
(818) 685-9980

Funeral details are pending and a public memorial will be scheduled sometime after Christmas or in early 2009.

Click here for the Majel Barrett Roddenberry Dedication Page
Click here to share your memories and feelings in the Posting Forum dedicated to the loving memory of Majel Barrett Roddenberry: The First Lady of Star Trek.

Clone Wars Catch-Up Marathon Anchors Holiday Star Wars Fun

from StarWars.com:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Duel of the Droids"

Although the final original episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars have aired for the remainder of 2008, there’s no dearth of Clone Wars fun available at StarWars.com to keep fans busy until Jan. 2, including the first-ever online “marathon,” which begins on Monday.

Starting Dec. 22, all 10 episodes of the hit Cartoon Network series that have aired to date will be available online at the official Star Wars website and at CartoonNetwork.com. What’s more, each episode features a video commentary by supervising director Dave Filoni; a web comic; and a detailed episode guide containing concept art and additional insights into Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Destroy Malevolence"

The online marathon ends on Monday, Jan. 5.

And on Friday, Jan. 2, the first new Clone Wars episode of 2009, “Dooku Captured,” debuts at 9 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

Just in case that’s not enough for Star Wars fans, StarWars.com offers three exclusive online games that provide unique, challenging experiences. There’s no hardware required beyond a basic home computer, and the games are accessible via the homepage at starwars.com.

In “Sharpshooter,” players can partake in some clone training, as they try to hit targets that range from holograms of battle droids to rolling destroyer droids. As the levels get progressively harder, “Sharpshooter” throws in some tricks, ranging from blast shields that make it difficult to hit your target to decoys that players need to avoid. It’s classic arcade-style action whose increasingly difficult levels will pose a challenge to gamers of any age.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Destroy Malevolence"

“Live Fire” is a keyboard-based game in which players take on the role of a clone trooper — and can even customize his gear. By finding and collecting datapacks, while avoiding a phalanx of Separatist droids, players can unlock exclusive Clone Wars content, including images, videos and sounds. But beware, because the Separatist droids encountered on these missions to Christophsis and Teth are bent on success.

“Clones vs. Droids” offers the option of playing live against another player — or practicing solo. Squads of droids and clone troopers are pitted against each other, and it’s up to players to strategically prepare for both attack and defense during the game’s 10 rounds.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Shadow of Malevolence"

The Clone Wars experience isn’t just online, of course. In fact, during the holidays Cartoon Network will offer encore showings of Star Wars: The Clone Wars with more opportunities than ever to enjoy the intergalactic adventure.

Here is Cartoon Network’s holiday schedule for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. (Unless noted, all programming is half-hour episodes.)

Monday, Dec. 22 — 10 a.m. (one-hour block), 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 — 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (one-hour block)
Thursday, Dec. 25 — 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26 — 8 a.m., 6 p.m. (one-hour block), 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27 — 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28 — 9 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 29 — 10 a.m. (one-hour block), 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30 — 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (one-hour block)
Wednesday, Dec. 31 — 9 a.m. (one-hour block), 3 p.m.

All times listed are ET/PT.

Don’t forget — the next original episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “Dooku Captured,” airs at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2. Until then… may the Force be with you!

Paramount Pictures’ Star Trek to be Released as IMAX Movie May 8, 2009

from StarTrekMovie.com:

J.J. Abrams’ Vision of the Greatest Space Adventure of All Time to Run in Select IMAX Theatres

Paramount Pictures and IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today announced that Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III, Lost and Alias), will be simultaneously released to both IMAX® and conventional theatres worldwide on May 8, 2009. Star Trek, which chronicles the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members, will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Paramount Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theatres worldwide.

Star Trek is one of the world’s most successful science fiction entertainment series and media franchises. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek phenomenon has led to six television series, ten feature films, dozens of computer and video games, hundreds of novels and fan stories, as well as a themed attraction in Las Vegas. Star Trek has also inspired a following of millions of “Trekkies” of all ages that span across the globe.

“We’re excited to share the enhanced IMAX version of this film with the millions of dedicated fans who have been anticipating this release since production began,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman, Paramount Pictures. “The IMAX Experience adds that extra level of excitement to an already action-packed film, giving moviegoers a premium ‘event’ at the multiplex.”

Added J.J. Abrams, “I’m thrilled that audiences will be able to experience this new, epic world of Star Trek — with an incredible cast and mind-blowing visual effects — on what is, obviously, the most remarkable film format in the world.”

“Star Trek combines top Hollywood story-telling talent with space exploration, and each is very conducive to The IMAX Experience,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “Expanding our relationship with Paramount Pictures to include this film strengthens our 2009 slate, and with the continuing rollout of digital IMAX theatre systems, we will be able to offer the fan-base more locations to experience the epic first journey of the USS Enterprise in the most immersive way.”

“Both Star Trek and IMAX have taken audiences to far away places they would normally not be able to go, and in this case, it’s space — the final frontier,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “J.J. Abrams has created a powerful movie that has fans worldwide feverishly anticipating its release. We are thrilled to partner with Paramount Pictures to bring J.J.’s exciting vision of this incredible space adventure to IMAX screens.”

From director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (Transformers, MI: III) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, Star Trek, featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before. Star Trek explores the early Starfleet careers of future Enterprise officers Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Amanda Grayson (Winona Ryder), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), McCoy (Karl Urban), Sulu (John Cho), and Chekhov (Anton Yelchin). A Romulan, Nero (Eric Bana), and a much older Spock (Leonard Nimoy) are influences, as well as Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood), the first captain of the USS Enterprise.

IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX® 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company’s groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX’s renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world’s biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2008, there were 320 IMAX theatres operating in 42 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, IMAX®, MPX®, and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at imax.com.

Shout! Factory Unleashes Four More Unreleased MST3K Episodes in a Collectible 4-DVD Box Set

from Shout! Factory:

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIV

Featuring MST3K Film Episodes Mad Monster, Manhunt in Space, Soultaker and Final Justice, Limited-Edition Mini-Posters, and All-New Bonus Content

In Stores Nationwide February 3, 2009, from Shout! Factory

From 1988 to 1999, the hilarious and widely beloved space travelers on The Satellite of Love from Mystery Science Theater 3000 skewered B-movies and in the process made them masterworks of comedy. Hot on the heels of the recent Mystery Science Theater 3000: 20th Anniversary celebration, Shout! Factory in association with Best Brains, Inc. proudly present the Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIV 4-DVD box set on February 3, 2009. Poised to satisfy the appetite of fans for ritual viewing, as well as a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for pop culture geeks, the awe-inspiring 14th collection of the side-splitting Mystery Science Theater 3000 features the show’s never-before-released film episodes Mad Monster, Manhunt in Space, Soultaker and Final Justice, 4 limited-edition mini-posters, along with a wealth of new bonus content, including a brand-new interview with Soultaker star and MSTie favorite Joe Estevez; a new interview with Final Justice writer/director Greydon Clark; Mike Nelson, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot on ESPN’s Cheap Seats without Ron Parker; and original trailers. Join the banter as Joel Hodgson, Mike Nelson, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot supply their own playful brand of commentaries on some of cinema’s most misunderstood “masterpieces” in Shout! Factory’s Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIV. This collectible 4-DVD box set is priced to own at $59.99.

Mad Monster
Obsessed with getting revenge on those responsible for the demise of his career, Dr. Lorenzo Cameron concocts a serum that transforms his unsuspecting gardener into a deadly wolf-man. Join hosts Joel Hodgson, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot as they send up the very best revenge-fueled-wolf-monster-created-by-a-mad-scientist film of 1942! This memorable episode of MST3K also includes the short Commando Cody & The Radar Men from the Moon.

Manhunt in Space
Launched into space with the mission of rescuing the lovely Vena from a gang of notorious space pirates, Rocky and his copilot Winky are once again ready to fight evil to the very end — even if it takes them to the furthest edge of the galaxy! Composed of reassembled episodes from the short-lived 1950s television series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger, Manhunt in Space is unable to escape the cinematic critique of Joel and the ’bots of the Satellite of Love. Also includes the short General Hospital, segment 1!

Soultaker
After four youths are involved in a serious car accident, a mysterious man in black is sent to claim their souls — but these feisty teens aren’t yet ready to pass into the afterlife. Now they must return to their hospital-bound bodies before their parents decide to pull the plug or, worse yet, the Soultaker catches them. Starring MSTie faves Joe Estevez and Robert Z’Dar, Soultaker is perfect fodder for the sarcastic wit and wisdom of Mike, Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo aboard the Satellite of Love.

Final Justice
When tough-as-nails Texas Deputy Sheriff Thomas Jefferson Geronimo captures a member of the Italian mob, only he can successfully get his prisoner back to Italy to stand trial. But the Mafia declares war on Geronimo. That was their last mistake. The hard-hitting crew of the Satellite of Love — Mike, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot — pulls absolutely no punches when riffing on Final Justice (starring legendary Mystery Science Theater 3000 antagonist Joe Don Baker), making this one of MST3K’s most beloved episodes of all time.

Help Dr. Horrible Win a People’s Choice Award

from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog:

Dr. Horrible Newsletter, Issue #3

Dear Horrible Fans, Hammer Groupies, Penny-Savers, Bad Ponies, Fake Thomas Jefferson’s Axe of Congress and of course the Towelettes,

It has been brought to our attention that some of you have been using your powers for good. This we can not forgive! Your fierce and effluvia-removing punishment can only be forestalled by quick and decisive action: Vote for Dr. Horrible on the People’s Choice awards site (under “Favorite Online Sensation”). Every day. This is the kind of exposure that will allow the doctor to continue his reign of hummable terror. The time is now! Actually, the time is always now. Like, right now — still now. Hmmm. Neat.

Fear us! Vote! Kisses! –Team Horrible.

The Legend of Neil on IMDb

from The Legend of Neil:

Woot! The Legend of Neil has finally been legitimized with its presence on the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB.com). Now I’ve got to figure out how to get all the episodes brokendown up there. But this is definitely a good start!

Also re-watch episode 4. Why this has less than 100,000 views is beyond me… we’re so close to a million over all! Keep spreadin it!

Jedi Master Kit Fisto Explores the Heart of Evil in “Lair of Grievous” on Star Wars: The Clone Wars

from StarWars.com:

The many faces of evil are on display, all with the visage of General Grievous, in "Lair of Grievous," an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Dec. 12, on Cartoon Network
The many faces of evil are on display, all with the visage of General Grievous, in "Lair of Grievous," an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Dec. 12, on Cartoon Network

Jedi Master Kit Fisto steps from the shadows of the live-action films and into a Separatist trap in “Lair of Grievous,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Dec. 12, on Cartoon Network.

In the episode, General Grievous must prove himself worthy of the Separatists after repeatedly being defeated by the Jedi. As a test for his cyborg subordinate, Count Dooku lures Jedi Master Kit Fisto and Fisto’s former Padawan, Nahdar Vebb, to Grievous’ enclave as deadly sport for the Separatist general.

Episode writer Henry Gilroy says he’s always been intrigued by the concept of “where evil actually lives,” and this tale of attempted redemption for General Grievous presented the perfect opportunity to explore the idea.

“I went back to the old serials of the 1930s and looked at the terrible old places they used to create for the villains,” Gilroy says. “They were houses full of booby traps and monsters, with eyes knocked out of the paintings so the villain could look through and spy. It was fun to explore the home of the bad guy, to create a place so terrible that even the hero doesn’t want to be in there.

“It’s a great set-up because when the Jedi arrive, they’re expecting to find Nute Gunray — they don’t realize they’re in the lair of Grievous. From that point on, once they’re inside and realize they can’t get out, it’s basically a struggle to survive.”

The episode also provided the perfect vehicle for the series introduction of Kit Fisto, a popular Jedi Master who appears in both Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Like many other Jedi, his character was relegated to the background in the films — but is now more deeply realized through animation in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“Kit isn’t one of the most serious Jedi. He tends to be more jovial,” Gilroy says. “To put him in a dire, life-or-death situation makes for a fun adventure because he tends to look on the more positive, naturally humorous side. Dread kind of rolls off him.”

“Kit is great for this episode,” says supervising director Dave Filoni. “He has an excellent fight with Grievous, and the episode is brilliantly directed by Atsushi Takeuchi. While we had quite the challenge deciding what Kit Fisto’s voice would actually sound like, once it was determined he would have a bit of a Jamaican accent, Phil LaMarr really made it his own.”