The Resurrection of Magic

Part One: Skin Hunger
Part Two: Sacred Scars

Several years ago at Dragon*Con, I met a young adult author named Kathleen Duey in the Hyatt Regency at the top of an escalator. I believe, and I might be wrong about this, I nearly knocked her down. Regardless, she was charming and polite and I promised to read her new novel “Skin Hunger.”

I never read young adult fiction as a child, going straight from non-fiction and Marvel comics to Leon Uris, Frank Herbert, and Ann McCaffery at age 11 or 12. I discovered young adult literature before starting college when I encountered a A Wrinkle in Time and the works of C.S. Lewis. I have made it through the Harry Potter books and the folks tales of Laurence Yep. I tried to read Twilight, I swear I tried. It didn’t go well.

Recently I ordered both of Kathleen Duey’s resurrection of magic books on Audible.com and prepared myself for an urban fantasy similar to Vampire Diaries. The setting could not have been more different, instead of a modern world, the tale was starts out in ren-fest/Tolkien world of magic and market places. I was honestly disappointed with how mundane and cookie-cutter this world seemed to be. I continued to listen. Within a few chapters I realized that this world was not like any I had ever encountered in literature, and that story I was reading was not going directly from point “A” to point “Z” and that the Resurrection of Magic would have very, very dark and bloody consequences.

The single defining feature of the books is actually their duality. The initial tales feature the live of the young girl Sadima as she discovers her magic ability to hear animals, finds that her skills might contribute to the restoration of magic overall, falls in love with a young Magician, Franklin, and deals with the mysterious and questionable Somiss, another magician. The other story covers Hahp as he attends a school of magic, suffers frightening horrors, and is the student of a magician, Franklin, and deals with the mysterious and questionable Somiss, another magician.

There is no clear sense of time early in either story, and it is difficult to tell immediately how Franklin and Somiss can be in both stories though the tales appear to be centuries apart.  This mystery works it way through both tales and they descend into pain, suffering, and loss. These two stories are tired very closely.

Skin Hunger, and its sequel Sacred Scars are both highly recommended for their vivid storytelling and incredible characters and struggles.  The one warning I give to he reader…have Sacred Scars on hand to immediately start digging in when Skin Hunger dies.

NOTE: Space Gypsies has had the chance to read this amazing Steampunk Bedtime Story!  It is amazing and our official review will be out this week. We endorse Her Majesty’s Explorer and recommend you buy it TODAY, February 28, 2012 and help be part of Steampunk Publishing History! 

Her Majesty’s Explorer: a Steampunk bedtime story LAUNCHES Tuesday!

Blurbs and reviews are rolling in to Coal City Stories for  its first publication Her Majesty’s Explorer: a Steampunk bedtime story, which is to launch TODAY February 28^th, 2012.

According to the official press release from Coal City,

Praise is rolling in from around the Steampunk community for a first of its kind Steampunk children’s book.  Her Majesty’s Explorer: a Steampunk bedtime story, featuring a bonus story, “Three Cheers for Steamduck,” was written by Steampunk novelist Emilie P. Bush and illustrated by William Kevin Petty. Amazon.com exclusively has the book at a special discounted price on Tuesday ONLY. The link to the book is HERE: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-bedtime/dp/0984902805/

The tale is receiving glowing from illustrators, authors, bloggers and publishing organizations inside and out of the Steampunk Community. Here is what some early reviewers are saying:

For more information, see these links: 

THE BOOK LINK to AMAZON.COM. The book will be available on the 28th – for a special discounted price!http://www.amazon.com/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-bedtime/dp/0984902805/

The Launch Page:  http://www.facebook.com/events/347525985265865/

The Her Majesty’s Explorer Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/HerMajestysExplorer

The blog: http://coalcitysteam.wordpress.com/

The Video Book trailer: http://youtu.be/kHb3Wpe3F2o

The Tease Read by Captain Robert of Abney Park: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2931604900935

Chenda and the Airship Brofman: http://www.amazon.com/Chenda-Airship-Brofman-Emilie-Bush/dp/1449542549

The Gospel According to Verdu : http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Verdu-Book-Brofman/dp/1461026466/

AMAZON UK Kindle link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-ebook/dp/B007AV8LVC/

AMAZON GERMANY Kindle Link: http://www.amazon.de/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-ebook/dp/B007AV8LVC/

Amazon Italy Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.it/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-ebook/dp/B007AV8LVC/

Amazon France Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.fr/Her-Majestys-Explorer-Steampunk-ebook/dp/B007AV8LVC/

Remnant is the creative brain child of Penny Dreadful Productions and a collaborative effort of Atlanta’s creative community. Remnant made its debut as a line of steampunk inspired costumes at Dragon*Con 2011. The costumes, displayed beautifully in the photography of Dim Horizon Studio, were an instant hit among fans and Atlanta’s thriving independent film community took notice. Drawing inspiration from the intricate costumes, rich back story and Amy Houser’s fabulous poster art with logo by Jim Ware, PDP are setting out to create a multi-platform experience that includes costumes, films and live entertainment.

Space Gypsies recently met with Matt Young to talk about Remnant.  Matt and his brother Jared form the production company The Brothers Young. Space Gypsies readers might remember The Brother’s Young from the astounding “Galactic Perry’s Learning Starship.”

What drew you first to Remnant?

I first saw the costumes at Dragon Con when PDP debuted them.  Jared and I were immediately drawn to the world that PDP was starting to create.  We really felt like we could bring the costumes to life through the medium of film.  Jared and I wrote a short film for each costume, 6 total.  The goal was to tell the story of an individual character.  Each video is a glimpse into that characters life on the eve of a battle.

You are known for children’s television and parody/comedy works such as Doritos commercials and Galactic Perry, how was the Remnant experience different? How much fun was it and why?

Remnant is a very fun world to play in from a storyteller’s perspective.  We did not feel the need to be funny, which immediately relieves a large amount of stress.  Jared and I love visuals and we felt like our history with our past productions benefited us in Remnant.  The combination of incredible costuming from PDP, make fx from Andre Freitas at AFX, Film production from Owen Smith at Kalon Media and some Brilliant co-directing by our buddy Chance White really made for a great end product.

 Tell me about the location shots?

Many of the sets were constructed at our Studios in Marietta, Ga, including all green screen shots.  We also had the benefit of using Afterlight Pictures’ office space.   We shot on location 2 out of the 6 production days.  We shot at the Duluth Train Museum, which is an incredibly rich and diverse environment and we shot at The Old Roswell Mill machine shop which sit next to the covered bridge.  We felt like both these locations were a great combination of old and new, modern and historic.

And green screen was used?

There are a handful of CGI shots in Remnant.  Chance White and friends will be doing a good bit of post to bring these shots to life.

What do you see as the next natural step for Remnant? 

Remnant has such wonderful potential.  The opportunities for stories are endless.  We are planning an interactive live show in the coming months and we would love to start building support for a feature film.

How did the concept translate to film?

I think the concept is going to translate very well to film.  You always to be careful, it is easy to film something that looks cool.  But what is your story?  We are always focusing on building a compelling story that people will want to be a part of.

How amazing were the special effects?  What else do you want to say about them?

We were blessed to have two creatures designed by Andre Freitas.  I think everyone will see that they bring some extra artistic production value to an already fantastically rich world created by PDP.

Any word of moving forward with Perry Con II?

Haha, shockingly enough Perry is not dead.  Our friends at School of Humans Productions are working diligently at securing us some more funds to bring the next episodes to life.

PDP’s Remnant: More Information!

Photography - Dim Horizon Studios

Penny Dreadful Productions - Penny Dreadful Facebook

Remnant - Remnant

Production - Brothers Young Production

Makeup Special FX - AFX Studios

Cineprov Carries on the Tradition of MST3K

Jennifer's Body: Somewhere on the hot/crazy scale is awful.

Recently two SpaceGypsies had a chance to take in a local Atlanta impov tradition,  Cineprov.  Cineprov carries on the practice of RIFFING, most famously practiced by the folks at Mystery Science Theater 3000.  Riffing, for those who aren’t aware, is the practice of watching a movie while making fun of it.  We all do it, but the best riffers do it in public.

With nearly a dozen seasoned riffers, Cineprov rotates the pain through the riffers.  This improv troupe was founded by Larry Johnson. They have found a patient and accepting location at the Relapse Theater, close to the Georgia Tech campus. The evening we tramped down Larry was joined by Pat and Don.  The movie for the evening? “Jennifer’s Body.”  The movie was chosen by Pat specifically for the Jennifer and Nity (pronounced Needy) kissing. Pat was able to choose because it was his birthday.

Did I mention that unlike MST3K, Cineprov is not family friendly? No? Okay…it is not family friendly. Not at all.  It is a dirty, dirty, hilarious evening of mockery.

So…we have a movie that is nearly soft-core porn, three men covering a variety of adult ages, and beer…lots of beer.  Did I mention the bar? Much like Watching MST3K at home, Cineprov comes with a full bar in the basement.  Also … during the show the wait staff from the basement come up to take orders.  The staff also give out popcorn and cookies for most show, but for Pat’s birthday we had cupcakes.  Cupcakes and Fat Tires.  Not a bad snack.

There is not a lot of point in reviewing the movie…it was awful and was skewered.  Basically, I will watch anything with Amanda Seyfried…but this movie really bends that rule.  (Note: I am a dude and therefore I have never seen “Mama Mia.” That doesn’t count.) But, it was a great night for me and my traveling companion, who continued to discuss both the comedy and the flaws in “Jennifer’s Body” at Glady Knight’s Chicken ‘N’ Waffles.

If you missed “Jennifer’s Body” at Cineprov, do not panic…they ridicule films every Friday night.  On the agenda for the next few months are William Castle’s “House on Haunted Hill,” “Days of Thunder,” and “300.”  They are also showing “The Room,” though I find it difficult to believe this is even worth the effort…but I am intrigued.  I am also sad I will not be able to see “House on Haunted Hill”…which Rifftrax Live recently riffed.

Call for reservations (and check out the details on their website).

Star Wars – Once  Month

I have saved the geekiest point of Cineprov for the end! On the first Saturday of every month from January through June Cineprov will be riffing on Star Wars Episodes I – IV.  It is too late to enjoy The Phantom Menace…in fact, I think it’s been too late to enjoy the Phantom Menace since 1999.  But, that aside…Attack of the Clones will be shown on February 4, 2012.  I will be there for that show, by the grace of God.

SpaceGypsy traveling keeps me on the road…

For more information see:

http://cineprov.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Cineprov

Relapse Theatre
380 14th Street NW
Atlanta, Ga 30318
404-246-3805
Every Friday! First Saturday Each Month! Doors and Bar at 7:00 PM Show Starts at 8:00 PM
cineprov@gmail.com

Penny Dreadful Productions (PDP), of Duluth GA, has an international reputation for amazing costuming, theatrical and film special effects, and art direction.  Under the guidance of founder Matt Silva, this cooperative group of artists and artisans have given the world amazing creations. In most corners of the Geek World, PDP’s work is well known. But nothing they have done so far compares to the scope and ambition of The Remnant.  Remnant is a multi-layered concept in imagination and collaboration that includes world class costuming, independently produced short films, novels, short stories, and a collaborative world of creativity.

The Brother’s Young, of Marietta GA, have been creating children’s entertainment, advertising, and experimental programming for many years. Matthew and Jared Young are probably most widely known in the Geek World for Galactic Perry’s Learning Starship.  Now they  have joined forces with PDP to move this costuming idea onto film, through a series of short vignettes that reveal the depth and breath of the world of The Remnant world using state of the art green screen technology to bring this saga to life.

The First Actual Screen Capture from REMNANT

So what is Remnant? Remnant is a costuming concept representing a post-apocalyptic dystopia where society is segmented into twisted social statuses that embody the cruelty of the absolute leadership and mindlessness of the controlled masses. There are those trying to break free from tyranny and reclaim human dignity.  Originally debuted at Dragon*Con 2011, PDP’s vision for the costuming is to produce an easily reproduced costuming line that is tied to films, graphic novels, gaming, and other media.

SpaceGypsies has been invited to a unique behind the scenes view of Remnant production and will be presenting a series of articles that interview key players, explain the social dynamic of the world of Remnant, and present hints about the future of Remnant.

So why does Remnant need you?  The answers will be revealed.  And with it…you will learn that you need Remnant.