Convergence Saturday

John Rogers confirms what I thought I remembered him saying awhile back that LEVERAGE uses the Sony EX-1 for a lot of their shots. The same camera we discuss here for low budget moviemaking. Hmmm... pro-quality tools in the financial reach of the masses. Wonder what's going to come of that?

Michael Patrick Sullivan is a dirty, filthy little MASTERMIND.

Cousin Trevor points us to this little digi-novel project here which I will have to dissect at a later point. A mashup of this, that and the other designed to tell a story in different ways. Kind of what I'm conceiving with DEAD MAN'S PARTY.

Chris Mills talks about his new CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT comic... pretty plane!

(Chris - more aero-porn please! Thank you)

Geekerati is coming back! Sunday nights at 6pm.

Read this from New TeeVee and Trent Reznor. We will discuss (rant, dissect, take your pick) this in an upcoming Pulp Legion Electrogram. If you aren't subscribed then you miss out. Go to the sidebar and sign up>>>>> It's free!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go work.

Tune in Tonight!

Tonight on Geekerati we will be talking with Ron Fortier of Airship 27 and Wayne Skiver of Age of Adventure regarding their new ventures in the world of new pulp publishing!

Geekerati can be found here. Tune in at 7pm PST.

Don't be late!

The Friday Update: 2-20-09

Trying to clear off my desk to get some writing done.

I have received a communication from the Purchase Bros. and we are trying to negotiate a time for them to come on Geekerati. More as this develops. Put your questions in the comments.

The Season Finale to LEVERAGE is this coming Tuesday:



The Oscars are this weekend. I will be at a party with friends.

More later AFTER I finish my writing...

Tonight on Geekerati: Marc Bernardin

Same Geek time.
Same Geek channel.

The Geekerati crew will be hosting EW Editor and comic book writer-guy Marc Bernardin and discussing his new comic book promotional series PUSH timed for release with the upcoming movie.

And I will probably be ranting (as well as dropping a few bits of cool gossip) in the aftershow, so you'll want to download the podcast.

Tonight on Geekerati: Bones of the Dragon

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman—the bestselling fantasy co-authors of all time and creators of the Gaming Fiction literary genre. First there was Dragonlance™, the role-playing game-based novels that begat a fantasy empire. Then there was Darksword, an original foray into the genre of Tolkien, Donaldson, and Brooks. The Death Gate Cycle soon followed; each novel a bestseller. Now, Weis and Hickman, the creative minds behind these incredible worlds, have teamed up again to write an epic new fantasy saga. BONES OF THE DRAGON (Tor Books; $24.95; National On-Sale Date: January 6, 2009) is the first book in the Dragonships of Vindras series—and an introduction to a new world, a new cast of heroes and heroines, and a new adventure.

Renowned for their extraordinary world-building infused with cultural lore and rich characterizations, Weis and Hickman published their first novel in the Dragonlance™ Chronicles, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, in 1984. Twenty-five years later, this dynamic writing duo has five New York Times bestselling fantasy series. Combined, they have written or co-authored over 100 novels and short story collections. Together, they have collaborated on more than thirty.

Weis and Hickman's action-packed, utterly riveting BONES OF THE DRAGON brilliantly launches the Dragonships of Vindras saga, an epic six-book adventure in which individual mortals will face tests of faith and character, and both gods and dragons will aid, abet, and battle as they see fit—to ensure their own survival…

To prep for the show you can watch the teaser trailer for this fantastic new book series. here.

Same Geek time, same Geek station.

Tonight on Geekerati !

A reminder that the rest of the Geekerati crew (Hi Shawna , Christian!) and I will be hosting Eric Nylund author of the HALO books and discussing his new urban fantasy novel, MORTAL COILS.

As a special offer from our friends at Tor Forge you can download the opening chapters of the novel
here.

The show will be live tonight at 7pm Pacific.
(and comes complete with a chat room)

While you're at it, you can browse through some of the Geekerati Archives. (featuring the first official announcement of that LEVERAGE show you may have heard about).

Just in Case You Get Tired of Reading My Rants...

Not that it would EVAR happen, but you can hear them on Geekerati -- our show on Blog Talk Radio.

• Film and Television writer John Rogers discussing the writer strike, LEVERAGE, and comic books.
• Dave Goetsch (Co-Executive Producer on Big Bang Theory)
• Television writer/producer Tim Minear (Angel/Firefly) discussing the writer strike.
• Television writer/producer Rob Long(Cheers) discussing the writer strike.
• Variety editors David S. Cohen and Peter Debruge discussing film animation and this year's crop of films, including the remarkable 3D animation on BEOWULF.
• Game Designer and Author Matt Forbeck.
• Science Fiction author Susan Palwick who discussed her excellent novel "Shelter"
• Comic Writer/Reporter Marc Bernardin discussing his Highwaymen comic book.
• Film Critics Luke Y. Thompson (The OC Weekly) and David Chute (The LA Weekly and Premiere.com)
• Wold Newton Historian Win Eckert discussing pulps and the Wold Newton Universe.
• Comic Book editor and author Jeff Mariotte
• Game Designer James Lowder.
• Many others, including Shelly Mazzanoble (Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress)

And we plan to have an even better 2009! Tune in.


Hat tip to Shawna, Christian and Eric.

From the Fever Dreams of Michael Alan Nelson: Hexed

Mike hinted at this series on our Geekerati Podcast.
We're glad to see it come to fruition.


BOOM! Studios announced today its exciting new mini-series HEXED, written by horror sensation Michael Alan Nelson (FALL OF CTHULHU) with art by Emma Rios and colors by Cris Peter.

"This is, honestly, everything I look for in a series and in a first issue," said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "Michael's got his craft down better than just about anyone, and his ideas are terrific. Weird and chilling and compellingly disturbing, but terrific. Okay, actually, the boy clearly needs therapy. But HEXED is great."

HEXED follows nineteen-year-old Luci Neves, a.k.a. "Lucifer," a Brazilian thief who specializes in the otherworldy and the enchanted. Ordinary crooks can rob banks. Lucifer's the girl you call when you need someone to steal a demon's collar, a feather from an angel's wings, or the hinges off the gates of Hell itself. Luci's life has been plagued by macabre adventures and ethereal encounters, and now that an ill-satisfied client from her past has come back to haunt her...well, there may be no place in any dimension left for her to run!

HEXED, the brand-new series by Michael Alan Nelson (the critically acclaimed author of FALL OF CTHULHU) and hot new art talent Emma Rios, delivers a whole new take on the supernatural detective thriller!

Best-known for his work on FALL OF CTHLUHU, Michael Nelson has also written DOMINION and SECOND WAVE as well as the upcoming series LAST REIGN and the forthcoming FALL OF CTHULHU: APOCALYPSE. BOOM! has given Nelson almost unprecedented creative autonomy to bring his ideas to life, and he has yet to falter in his ascent within the comics industry.

"I think a great story needs more than flashy gimmicks and a couple of neat concepts", said HEXED writer Michael Alan Nelson. "You absolutely must have a compelling story and fleshed-out characters before you can start throwing labyrinthine plots into the mix. I look for chilling conflicts, then find ways to make them as unsettling and riveting as possible."

"And wait until you see the art in the first issue," said Nelson. "Emma is a phenom and will be turning some heads when this issue hits the stands."

"I'm really proud of this series," said HEXED series editor Matt Gagnon. "Getting new pages from Emma, with sensational colors by Cris Peter, makes every day like Christmas morning. These two women are extremely talented. And working with the masterful Mr. Nelson is always a pleasure. We're all having a blast."

HEXED #1 features two variant covers by Emma Rios and Joe Pekar, with Diamond Order Codes of OCT083924 and OCT083925 respectively.

About BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." Founded by the creator of the TV show EUREKA, Andrew Cosby, and his partner Ross Richie, BOOM! Studios continues to be on the leading edge of comic and graphic novel publishing.

SDCC 2008 - Blazing Updates Sent Directly to Your Brain

www.twitter.com/geekerati

www.geekeratimedia.blogspot.com

I had a lovely ride down to the Con this morning as Shawna, Julie and Eric braved the filthy masses (and yes, I'm being polite) to learn all things geek...

Things will only get weirder as we go to the G4 and Boom Studios parties tonight...

With video cameras...

And laptops...

And hopefully a strong internet connection.

SDCC 2008: A GEEKERATI ANNOUNCEMENT

Plans have been hatched.
Resources and supply lines have been moved into place.
Now is the time to unleash hell.

The Geekerati crew - Shawna, Sister Julie, Eric and myself will be at Comic Con starting Thursday morning bright and early (You hear that Shawna and Julie? Bright and early). Christian will be manning the Geekerati HQ here in Los Angeles as we feed him and you with all sorts of cool geek details - interviews, profiles, messages, video (canned and live stream). How are we going to do that?

That my friends is where the wonderful world-wide-web comes in, bringing you closer to your fellow geeks:

Got to www.Twitter.com/geekerati and sign up to follow the feed. We will be giving you minute by minute updates from all sorts of panels. Want to know what's up with Whedon's DOLLHOUSE and DR. HORRIBLE ? Want to know about the Tori Amos comic ? How about Mistress Malice - the After Dark Horrorfest Scream Queen? And let's not forget THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, UNDERWORLD 3, SPORE, DEAD SPACE, and many other must see events.

Want to talk to comic / Hollywood creators at the Boom Studios party ?

It will be like YOU ARE THERE (too old a reference for you kids? Gawd, I'm a geezer).

Video will be posted at the Geekerati Blog and hosted by YouTube so if you search all you will have to type in is: GEEKERATI SDCC 2008.

We will be testing the live stream tonight/tomorrow and we'll let you know when it will be on.

Regular podcasts will be at the end of the day -- every day -- except Saturday night, where we will delay the podcast until Sunday morning breakfast.

(Breakfast with the Bastard....hmmm... Regis better watch out)

Tonight's show will be with Comics2film.com creator/developer Rob Worley as we appropriately enough discuss the recent flood of comicbook movies and how things have changed since Rob started the site 10 yrs. ago. We will also discuss Rob's pulp comic THE REVENANT , coming out as a graphic novel at Comic Con.

Con-firmed...

Yes - I am going to the San Diego Comic Con. The Con confirmed me this morning.

No- I don't know how I'm going to pay for it all and where exactly I'm going to sleep. (each year it gets more and more expensive, harder to get in and harder to get a room. It be the full wheel of crazy cheese).

I may have a few things up on the auction block to finance the trip - more later as I poke through the Mad Pulp Archives... hmmmm.....Stand by for bargains!

What I do know is that 3/4 of the Geekerati crew will be down there and we will be the multi-new-media crew of tomorrow:

1. We will be podcasting.
2. I will be videotaping short interviews and cameos and uploading them to YouTube .
Christian will be embedding them on the Geekerati blog.
3. Shawna will be Twittering up a storm. Her "SisterCritic" Julie will be with her.
4. Eric -- well let me say that I have plans for Eric....

What I need to know from you all is:

Who do you want to hear and see from in Comics, TV, Gaming,
Movies, Pulp and New Media?

(And don't be afraid to shout out names like Joss Whedon, Kate Beckinsale, et al because seriously -- I wouldn't mind some face time with either one)

(and yes, plans are afoot to get as many of the costumed ones on video as possible. It would not be Nerd Prom without them, now would it?)

Log On Tonight!!!!

And help us relive the memories of how master creator Dave Stevens touched our lives.

Same Geek Time. Same Geek channel.

Lee Goldberg - Mensch

If you go to the sidebar and activate the player you can listen to our wonderful conversation last night with author/screenwriter/man about Europe Lee Goldberg on Geekerati. It was like sitting down for coffee with a buddy and having a good time. Lee was honest, interesting and illuminating -- just like his blog.

Drop him a note to convince him to do a .357 VIGILANTE compendium edition. My paperback copies died a disintegrating death awhile back and we need new pulp for the library.

Tune In Tonight...

Or is that Log On Tonight?

Hmmm...either way, The Geekerati crew will be talking with Lee Goldberg, television writer (and book author) of the MONK series, DIAGNOSIS MURDER and of course, SHE-WOLF of LONDON.

Lee has been working on a TV Movie over in Germany and I hope to discuss with him first hand some of the insights he's gleaned from working on an international project and his pulpy alter-ego, Ian Ludlow, author of the .357 VIGILANTE paperback novels.

Before I Forget...

We had a wonderful time chatting with comic book, TV, animation and video game writer Christy Marx on last night's Geekerati podcast.

However you won't hear my scratchy voice on the podcast as I took my place in the chat room and directed my questions from there. Christy was an excellent guest and her comment regarding the fact she has written so many different sorts of media because she needed to make a living was verrry pulpy.

Go listen to Christian, Shawna and Eric chat with Christy, and learn somethin' will ya?

[Just imagine I'm there in the background, swilling whiskey and stuffing bills down g-strings as I type on my laptop. The truth is far sadder, but I have some sort of rep to maintain ]

Leverage This!

Had an exceptionally interesting (and exclusive!) talk with John Rogers last night on Geekerati where he spilled his guts about his new television show for TNT -- LEVERAGE. If you want to learn what it's like independently setting up a cable series in this era of "new television" then you'll want to tune in to the show player in my right sidebar. >>>>>>>

(It actually didn't take as long as I imagined it would as we had him under the hot lamp and he was singing like a canary in no time. I didn't even have to use the cattle prod or "big bertha.")

John talks about the 20 million or so other things he's doing as well. Give it a listen.

No, Emily It Was NOT Worms...

But it sure felt like it at times as I disgusted even myself (a feat to be sure).

I am now well-rested and ready to meet James Moran tomorrow over at the Gallifrey One convention taking place here at the LAX Marriott.

James and I have corresponded from the early days of the blogosphere as he has gone from his pulpy debut, SEVERANCE to writing TORCHWOOD and PRIMEVAL.

In other, it's-a-small-world news, the Geekerati crew will be talking to John Rogers on monday night at 7pm. You can tune in here for details. I am already assembling a ton of questions for John about his new television series, Blue Beetle, and other pulpy items of interest that he hints at occasionally. I also want to get into what it is like writing for these different media.

I ran to the comic shop yesterday and picked up this:

I would suggest you do the same to see the wonderful B&W artwork of Joe Kubert. There's some early (read amateurish) stuff in there by other artists, but Kubert and John Severin show them how it's done when it comes to War Comics. I would like to see more Kubert stuff in these B&W Showcase editions. They are affordable (Yeah!) and allow artists and fans a look at the "raw" material. I get just as much entertainment out of reading these stories in this form as I do in color - maybe moreso - because I can read a lot of the story at once. So let's see Kubert's TARZAN, Azzarello and Risso's 100 BULLETS, and any other stuff you can think of in this format.

It works.

The Geekerati Year In Review

Christian Johnson, my esteemed colleague at Geekerati has given us a Year's Best List of our Geekerati Podcasts.

I just want to say it has been my extreme pleasure to work with Christian, Shawna Benson and Eric Lytle on these podcasts and I hope our enthusiasm shows through. I believe two of our personal bests have been the shows with Win Eckert and with Tim Minear.

But please, check them all out.

In 2008 I am going to solicit other members of the blogosphere to be on the show so if you have any suggestions as to who you'd like to actually HEAR from now's the time to do it.

Post Tryptophan Hangover...

So, still feeling stuffed after the big bird blowout yesterday. Now as the serotonin levels in my brain begin to lower I am left with a desire to get to work on some projects that I've been juggling lately, and yet here I am blogging...and here you are reading.


(You enablers! Damn you all)


The holidays are now officially in full swing and we will be addressing this in an upcoming Geekerati podcast with our "What I want for Christmas this year" episode. I am taking suggestions now.


John Rogers (who is experiencing the cold up north for the first time in a long time I wager) has a discussion about short online fiction and the death of the anthology following a post by Warren Ellis on the same subject. I'm also wondering what happened to our series paperback characters that seemed to dominate the drug store spinner racks when I was a kid. Does anyone here besides me remember the Richard Blade series of books?


Warren Ellis reminded me the other day about Createspace - a division of Amazon - where you can publish on demand and videopost on demand and monetize the whole thing - including selling DVDs on demand. This is an excellent step toward self-sufficiency for filmmakers. It's possible that there could be a shift toward "regionalism" with something like this set up. Imagine a group of mediamakers who aren't in LA, New York or Chicago who have their own local programs and "stars" and are able to create content for a local market that pays the bills. Possibly similar to where Quebec is in the Canadian market - separate and distinct, but accesible to those who look for that programming. Then, as an afterthought the rights to the programming is sold elsewhere as added revenue not necessary for financial solvency.


(Yes, these are the things that run through my head as the serotonin dips)


Congrats to Denis McGrath whose THE BORDER premiered in Canada last night. I will be searching the webs for it.

I've been searching the web looking for a new blog template that reflects my pulp, movie-making and new media sensibilities. If anyone has a suggestion that seems to fit the bill, please send me a link. The template must be compatible with Blogger, easily adaptable and rockin'. I'm going to be breaking things up into better categories for navigation's sake as well as providing links to my other digital shadows - message boards, networks, business related matters.

I set aside my short story for Astonishing for a week so I can go back to it over the holidays and polish it up. I wrote down a lot of notes and put the file away so I can read it with fresh eyes right before I polish it. The twist doesn't work yet as I haven't set it up properly in the story. It has to be obvious when it happens, but not so obvious that the reader gets it before I give it to him in the story. A delicate touch to be sure and I'm a freakin' sledgehammer...

Later...

"Drive!" He said...

DRIVE, FIREFLY, BUFFY and ANGEL scribe and all around media mensch TIM MINEAR will be our guest in a special podisode of the GEEKERATI PODCAST this friday evening at 7pm PST. The subject of our discussion?

Fans4writers.com and how the fans have come out to support the WGA writer's strike.

.

Have a question for Tim? Have an issue you want to see covered ? Then post your questions in the comments and we'll try to cover it. Can't guarantee anything, as our time will be limited, but we'll be putting the show outline together and we want your input.