Tuesday, December 30, 2008

More Arcade Marquee Display


I've started working on some new box displays for my old Arcade Marquees. This time for Joust, Defender and Stargate.

I still have Cliff Hanger, Star Castle, Gyruss, UN Squadron & Golden Axe too.


Friday, December 19, 2008

AV Stand for Christmas

Years ago I bought a TV stand and a Audio Video component stand from Circuit City. I don't remember what the set was called and I haven't seen it around since then. We've needed a new stand for the Audio/Video equipment in the living room, so I've decided to try and duplicate my A/V stand using my amateur woodworking skills.

The Christmas break should give me plenty of time to put it together.


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Hyperion Gunblade Plans

I realized that in my videos I said the plans I'm using to create the Hyperion Gunblade would be available here, but I hadn't posted them yet.

This is the main blade plan, I'll prepare and post the rest of the plans tomorrow.

Hyperion Gunblade Main Blade


Sunday, December 14, 2008

Quartet Display

I use to play this game for hours with my friends.



"Destroy the Boss, Only the Key Opens the Door, Open the Door!"


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Sinistar Display

Finished a lightbox to display this old Sinistar arcade marquee.


"Beware, I... light up?"


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Anime Los Angeles

I've submitted Baccano Swing! to the Anime Los Angeles 2009 AMV Contest. Not sure when finalists will be announced, but I think the contest is the night of January 2nd.


Sunday, December 7, 2008

Transporter 3

I saw the third in Jason Stathom's Transporter series of movies. I enjoyed the movie, but something about the female lead... I really couldn't stand the character. I think my inability to feel sympathetic for her made it difficult for me to get into this film.

I really liked the first one, the second was good, but suffered by some bad story points in some places.

The third movie had a lot of good points, although it had its fare share of weak story points. But thanks to the female lead, I'm not sure I want to see this one again.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

AMV Process WorkFlow Step One

"Rip" The Video Footage

I'm not sure what the best word is for this is, but the first step is to get the video footage I'm going to use onto the computer. Nearly all of the video footage I use is from DVDs. Occasionally I'll use LaserDisc or VHS tape, but that is pretty rare.

For DVDs, I start with a program called Mac the Ripper. I rip the disc in its entirety. This program removes the copy protection from the DVD's files, it doesn't reprocess or recompress the footage like Handbrake and other software does. I have used other software for DVD ripping in the past including YadeX (which is no longer supported) and OSeX (which produced results I wasn't very happy with).



Tuesday, December 2, 2008

"Music" AMV (from the 3rd DDR Project)

My video "Music" is up on YouTube. I first created this video back in 2004 for the third DDR AMV Project organized by Brad Demoss.





Saturday, November 15, 2008

Quantum of Solace

Went to see the new Bond flick, "Quantum of Solace" on opening night. If you enjoyed Casino Royale, I think you'll like Quantum. This movie picked up almost to the moment of the last, and Daniel Craig continues his intense and focused version of James Bond.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Hyperion Gunblade Tutorial Video Part 2

I've posted the second in a series of videos on YouTube that is part of a series demonstrating the techniques I use in creating my various prop weapons. For this episode we will continue working on the base blade.



I produced this with the assistance of my friend Nick. (he's behind the camera)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Max Payne

I went to see Mark Whalberg's new film, Max Payne, this past weekend. The basic plot is a fanciful cop drama, decent enough, but much like my friend Jason said, it really wasn't much better than the cop dramas you can see on TV. Episodes of The Shield were more intense and better acted than this movie. It wasn't bad, but it seemed like there were special effects thrown in on the top to try to make the movie stand out.

Also, I didn't see much similarity between the original video game and this movie, besides the main character's name and occupation.



Monday, October 27, 2008

Halloween 2008 Lightshow

This Halloween themed synchronized light show was created by my friend Ric. Dominating the front yard of his home, it combines computer controlled lights with the song "Grey Matter" by Oingo Boingo. The song plays both outside (very quietly) and broadcast on FM for those passing by in their cars.





You can check out his YouTube channel for more displays.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Return from Blizzcon 2008

Back from BlizzCon, loaded with pictures and merchandise.

The general photos are in this Flickr set, and a smaller set has all the Cosplay Pics.


Friday, October 10, 2008

Blizzcon 2008

I am off to Blizzcon 2008, leaving now for Anaheim. I'll be posting pictures to my flickr site.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Burn After Reading

Another solid movie from the Coen Brothers, I saw Burn After Reading just before this weekend. I really enjoyed it, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? is still my favorite but Burn ranks up there with that and Fargo. No Country for Old Men really isn't in the same class as their comedies. I think George Clooney is one of my favorite actors.

I suspect that when Brad Pitt is to old to play leading men, he's going to easily slide into more comedy.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Hyperion Gunblade Tutorial Video Part 1

I've posted a video on YouTube that is the first part of what should become a multi-part series demonstrating the techniques I use in creating my various prop weapons. For this project I'll be building a new Hyperion Gunblade from Final Fantasy Eight.


I produced this with the assistance of my friend Nick. (he's behind the camera)

Baccano Swing! at AWA

I received word that Baccano Swing! won Best Action at Anime Weekend Atlanata's Pro AMV contest.



Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Benihime Update

I've received a lot of feedback on my Benihime tutorial. Most ask how I created the raised trim around the edge of the hilt. I realized I don't have a picture of what I did, so I just finished adding a diagram of how the hilt is assembled as well as two cut sheets, showing what needs to be cut from what type of wood.




Monday, September 15, 2008

Rightous Kill

Since I posted about Bangkok Dangerous I thought I should mention Righteous Kill. I saw it last night. There was a lot of hype over this film, the first Robert De Niro/Al Pacino film where they really acted together. Overall I'd say the hype played out, it was a well done cop drama, and in a world where there are tons of cop drama movies, this one stands out pretty solidly.

I'm not a De Niro or Pacino fanboy, but this was one of those movies where you understand why they are actors of such high reguard.

And once again John Leguizamo proves my theory that I think he can play almost any role.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Bangkok Dangerous

I went and saw the new Nicholas Cage movie Bangkok Dangerous last night. Directed by the Pang brothers, it turns out this movie is a remake of their 1999 movie of the same name. I enjoyed the film, it tried to be something more than just a run of the mill hitman film and often succeeded. It wasn't the best film, but I liked it better than this year's X-Files movie.

As far as Nick Cage movies go, its on par with the National Treasure movies, rather than a Ghost Rider.


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Monday, September 8, 2008

Studio Hybrid Site Refresh

I've updated my Studio Hybrid Anime Music Video site, removing the news section since this site will replace it. The original site will still cover my AMVs as well as cosplay and other anime fandom related topics.

I did this for two reasons, the first is that the site is just hard coded html, so I wasn't taking advantage of the more modern blogging tools and updating was a chore. Secondly, with the release of Dell's Studio Hybrid computer platform, my site doesn't pop up immediatly when searching.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Back from Dragon*Con

Dragon*Con was a blast, both fun and informative at the same time. Friendly people, tons of great costumes, and panels covering an amazing breath of subjects. Where else could you sit in on a panel about science based medicine, the impending doom of our planet (Phil Plaite's new book), cosplay costuming tips and Anime Music Video creation?

Baccano Swing didn't make it into the AMV Contest, not sure what criteria the judges used in their process. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

How Early?!?

Taking the shuttle down to LAX to catch the flight at 8am. Since you're supposed to arrive at the Airport two hours before your flight leaves, the shuttle is picking us up at 3:50am.

That is just to early.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Dragoncon 2008

This weekend my friend Nick and I will be journeying across the country to the fair city of Atlanta GA for DragonCon 2008. This convention has a sizable collection of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Science and Skeptical panels that should keep us pretty busy the entire time.

I've shipped my Hyperion Gunblade via FedEx so that I'll be able to wear my Seifer costume at some point. I didn't want to try to carry a 4 foot gun/sword on an airplane.

I'll be hosting a panel about Anime Music Video creation at 7pm on Sunday, August 31st. My AMV "Baccano Swing!" will be in the AMV Contest as well.