Game Of Thrones: November 2011

Warm-Up Drawing OTD: The Lizard

Slashfilm posted some concept art of The Lizard from Marc Webb's upcoming Amazing Spider-Man, which got me thinking about how I would design the creature.

The design needs work, but I think it's heading in the right direction. I posted the warm-up challenge on Twitter, here's what folks came up with:

Everett Downing

Chris Fraser

Dr. Connors???

Maggie Gevers

He's just lonely is all.

Luke Baker

25 days...

Second Book Week: Title Redacted

Wow! Can't believe it's already second book time! So excited to read about all my fellow bloggers next books and I'm really looking forward to telling you every single thing I can about my next book.

Unfortunately, every single thing I can tell you is....nothing.

I'm currently under strict orders to keep it all a big secret, including the title. So how to do a post about a book I can't talk about? Well, mostly I'm going to be irritatingly mysterious.What I thought I'd do is share a few of the inspirations for the book in hopes that they might give you a taste for what it is.

First, there's this quote by Stephen jay Gould that was probably the single biggest early influence on the book.

"No..conflict should exist because each subject (science and religion) has a legitimate magisterium, or domain of teaching authority—and these magisteria do not overlap..."

Next, a wikipedia entry.

And now a few significant locations where the book takes place.

The main character has one of her last happy memories floating late at night in a place just like this.

This is what all the characters spend alot of time looking at.

This is where one character gets down on his knees and begs for forgiveness.

This is a major character in the book who's not entirely what he seems.

Other thank this I can tell you this is a much bigger book that The Eleventh Plague. More characters. A bigger world. It's also more on the side of a fantasy/adventure story with a little sci-fi thrown in.

I can't wait to tell you all more!

Veja detalhes da versão americana do box de DVD/Blu-Ray de "Game of Thrones" [ATUALIZADO]

A HBO divulgou (via WiC.net) a belíssima arte da versão americana do box de DVD/Blu-Ray da primeira temporada de "Game of Thrones". A caixa tem 5 discos, trazendo os 10 episódios da temporada e vários extras, além de um guia de episódios e personagens. Veja:

O box será lançado nos EUA em 6 de março. A Warner Bros. (que distribui as séries da HBO) ainda não divulgou a arte ou data de lançamento da versão brasileira.

[ATUALIZADO] Foram divulgados detalhes dos extras do box americano, que você confere logo depois do pulo:

A versão em DVD virá com os 10 episódios mais os seguintes extras:

Guia Completo para Westeros
"Um compêndio interativo das casas nobres e terras apresentadas na primeira temporada."

Criando Game of Thrones
"Um featurette exclusivo de 30 minutos, incluindo imagens do set nunca vistas antes e entrevistas do elenco e da equipe."

Perfis dos Personagens
"Perfis de 15 dos personagens principais, descritos pelos atores que os interpretam."

Criando a Abertura da Série
"Uma visita por dentro da criação da seqüência de abertura vencedora do Emmy de Game of Thrones."

Do Livro para a Tela
"Os produtores executivos David Benioff e D.B. Weiss, e o autor George RR Martin falam sobre os desafios de trazer o romance de fantasia épica de Martin à vida na HBO."

Patrulha da Noite
"Uma visão profunda na ordem original dos homens que patrulham e protegem a Muralha, uma estrutura de 700 metros de gelo que separa os Sete Reinos da escuridão além."

Criando o Idioma Dothraki
"Um olhar perspicaz sobre a abrangente língua criada para o povo Dothraki em Game of Thrones".

Comentários em Áudio
"Sete comentários em áudio com elenco e equipe, incluindo David Benioff, DB Weiss, George RR Martin, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, e muito mais."

O Blu-ray virá com os 10 episódios, todos os extras listados acima, e mais:

Guia Completo para Westeros
"Um compêndio interativo das casas nobres e terras apresentadas na primeira temporada, mais 24 histórias exclusivas dos Sete Reinos contadas pelos próprios personagens."

Guia pelos Episódios
"Um recurso que fornece informações básicas sobre os personagens, locais e histórias relevantes, enquanto cada episódio é exibido."

Anatomia de um Episódio
"Uma experiência pelo episódio que explora as mentes criativas e o esforço colossal por trás do sexto episódio, 'A Golden Crown'."

Ovos de Dragão Escondidos
"Encontre os ovos de dragão escondidos para descobrir ainda mais conteúdos nunca antes vistos."

Não há cenas excluídas da série em si - os produtores usaram quase tudo o que foi filmado. O making-of deve agradar aos fãs de longa data das "Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo" à procura de mais detalhes, enquanto os perfis dos personagens e compêndio das casas principais são úteis para os recém-chegados que podem usar as descrições para ajudar a acompanhar a complexa série.

Veja abaixo algumas fotos dos extras e dos menus dos discos, e clique AQUI para ver um vídeo do making of do sexto episódio:

The PIA Mook: 25 Years of Pixar Animation

Every year, the Japanese magazine PIA Mook invites us to contribute art to a special Pixar issue.

Last year's issue was an inside look at Toy Story 3. This year is an all-inclusive 25th Anniversary Issue, featuring interviews with Dice Tsutsumi and Sonoko Konishi (who makes the world's most amazing Halloween costumes!).

I'm not sure what they wrote above my name. My friend Mach says it's either the phonetic spelling of my name, "O-sutin Madison", or "man with very odd obsessions".

Unfortunately, the issue is only available in Japan. So write to your local congressman and demand cooler industry mags here in the states!

26 days...

Second Book Week: Truth

Wow! Has it been a year already? I'm so excited for Truth to be coming out!

Nina Oberon’s life has changed enormously in the last few months. When her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council–ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all sixteen-year-old girls have. The one that announces to the world that she is easy prey to predators. But Nina won’t be anyone’s stereotype. And when she joins an organization of girls working within the Resistance, she knows that they can put an end to one of the most terrifying secret programs the GC has ever conceived. Because the truth always comes out...and the consequences can be deadly.

Details: Published by: Puffin/Speak, Release date: January 19, 2012, ISBN 0142417726 (ISBN13:978-0142417720)
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | BAM
Book Bloggers! If you are interested in a copy of TRUTH for review on your blog, please contact Penguin at:

yrmarketing@us.penguingroup.com

with your name, address, and blog information in order to request a galley. Due to the volume of email they receive, you may not get a response, but your request will be read, logged, and galleys will be distributed at Penguin’s discretion.

Duas novas fotos do set da 2ª temporada de "Game of Thrones"

Como eu postei aqui, o jornalista James Hibberd, da revista Entertainment Weekly, visitou o set de gravações da segunda temporada de "Game of Thrones" e publicou duas novas fotos: a primeira mostra os portões de Qarth, protegidos por diversos guardas armados com lanças; a segunda, um cavalo carregando três cestas, onde serão mantidos Drogon, Viserion e Rhaegal, os dragões de Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). Confira:

(Clique nas imagens para ampliar)

Earl Grey

My doppleganger, Zack Keller (co-creator of Dick Figures), informed me that my Dick Figures character, Earl Grey, has his own wikipage. I noticed the trivia section on this character is a little sparse, so let me shed some light on this monochromatic mastermind:

-He spells "grey" with an "E" for the same reason he spells "colour" with a "U": because he's not a knuckle-dragging commoner.

-Earl Grey is the mixed-race sire of two royal families, Black and White.

-This supervillain does not move objects through telekinesis. Rather, he "elevates" objects from their working class to a higher station in space/time.

-Aside from high concentrations of colour, Earl Grey's one other vulnerability is a weakness for Twiglets and Pickle.

-Earl Grey has a similar affliction as his cousin and fellow land-holding title-bearer, Lord Tourettes. He suffers from narcolepsy, and must constantly imbibe tea or else pass into a deep REM state.

-And finally: in Season Four, Earl Grey may or may not make an appearance in a Christmas episode entitled "Dickens Figures."

I hope that slakes the wiki admins' thirst for Earl Grey.

27 days...

Second Book Week: A MILLION SUNS

All this week we're celebrating our member's second books! It's crazy (for me at least) to think of how we're already onto our second books....whew!

Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It’s been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He’s finally free to enact his vision – no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that’s growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

Details:

Published by: Penguin/Razorbill

Released: January 10, 2012

ISBN 159514398X (ISBN13: 978-1595143983)

Advanced Praise:

“Revis’ interweaving of science fiction, romance,and action is deft—an especially impressive feat given the condensed time line under which this story operates. …Revis just might make straight-up sci-fi cool again.”
–Booklist, December 1, 2011

Buying Information:

Would you like a signed copy? ContactFireside Bookstore.
Indie Bound
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
The Book Depository

Chades Challenge LXII: Muppet Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!...it certainly will be for Gonzo the Great if he seals the deal with his lovely turkey friend. If you have any Thanksgiving Muppet designs, let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise, you can join us December 9th for...

Chades Challenge LXIII: Explosive Stockings!

Jeff "Gravy Boat" McGuire

Colleen "Mahna Mahna" Madden

Tim "Brought To You By The Letters J and H" Luecke

Sean "Ain't Easy Being Jolly Green" Taylor

32 days...

Whiteboard Drawings

I teach an animation class at the Academy of Art University. At the end of each class, I like to leave a drawing up on the white board, under the projection screen for the next class that uses our room.

The unsuspecting professor goes to raise his projector screen...

...when he is met by a dry-erase masterpiece!

I always expect a thank you written on the white board, or at least a return drawing. So far, no dice.

0 days...The Muppets Are Here!!!

Qarth é revelada em nova foto do set de "Game of Thrones"

James Hibberd, jornalista da Entertainment Weekly, teve a chance de visitar o set de "Game of Thrones" em Dubrovnik algumas semanas atrás. Agora, ele postou em seu Twitter uma foto dele e Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), que revela uma parte dos portões de Qarth (a parte verde atrás dos portões será substituída por um cenário digital na pós-produção). Confira:

(Clique na imagem para ampliar)

The Electrician

A card for my brother, Andy, who just graduated from electrician school. He now has complete mastery over electricity!!! Or at least, that's how I understand it.

In case you haven't met him, this is my brother, Andy. This year was his first Comic Con/Trickster. He took something like 300 pictures. Mostly of cosplay girls. Goooood times.

Congraduations, bra!

2 days...

Assista ao vídeo dos bastidores da 2ª temporada de "Game of Thrones"

A HBO acaba de divulgar um vídeo que traz os bastidores da produção da segunda temporada de "Game of Thrones", com vislumbres de cenas inéditas e vários novos personagens, como Stannis, Melisandre, Davos e Margaery. Assista:

Theme Week: An Ending Is Just A New Beginning

I've thought about this in real life before, but it's never really translated to reading or writing. But the whole mantra of when one thing ends, another begins is really true in storytelling.

I'm a firm believer that stories don't need to be completely closed to be satisfying. Yes, I need the drama to be wrapped up and the conflict resolved, but I don't need to know what happens five years after the book ends or anything like that. (Jeff touched on this earlier this week. I loved THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE for exactly this reason. I could imagine what else happened based on the superb storytelling Jeff had already done.)

I adored everything about Harry Potter except the fact that we know exactly what happens 19 years later. I wanted to imagine what I wanted for Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione and their kids/lives.

I think the best storytellers weave the elements of the story so tightly with the elements of character that the reader can formulate that perfect ending in their head after the main conflict is resolved.

Those are the kind of endings that create new beginnings for me. Those are the kind of endings I enjoy reading. Those are the kind of endings I try to write.

What do you think? Do you like the author to tell you exactly what happens, or would you rather construct that for yourself?

Theme Week: Twist Endings

I love the Twilight Zone—and all well executed twisty stories—but, let’s face it, the very title of the show has become synonymous with cliché and trope. That’s not to say you can’t write a great twist ending anymore. (Or enjoy a good TZ marathon.) Films such as the Usual Suspects and Memento are classic because of their twists.

But for a twist to work, it has to happen because it’s what needs to happen. That is, the ending needs to be organic to the story. The twist should add another layer of meaning, but at the very least it can’t be just for the sake of the gotcha.

And you have to play fair with the reader. Lay the groundwork for the twist in your story, but don’t make it too obvious. Don’t make all the characters too idiotic to figure out what’s going on. Don’t deliberately hide a fact just to prevent the reader from figuring it out until the very end. Don’t have a character wake up and find it’s all been a dream (or virtual reality or a book). The reader doesn’t want to feel fooled or tricked—or feel like you cheated. (Or didn’t know what you were doing.)

Some readers, though, are gonna hate the twist no matter what. Just like some people hate ambiguous endings or cliffhangers. But plenty of us like all three—as long as they’re well done. SyFy still runs a Twilight Zone marathon every New Years (and at least one other time a year). I can’t be the only one watching it!

How do you guys feel about twists? Any favorites (or not)?

"Game of Thrones" escala seu Senhor dos Ossos

"Game of Thrones" encontrou seu Senhor dos Ossos: o ator Edward Dogliani foi escalado para interpretar o selvagem, segundo o The Hollywood Reporter.

O praticamente novato Dogliani tem em seu currículo alguns curta-metragens e uma participação como ele mesmo no documentário da BBC "The Zebras of Jack Tizard". O Senhor dos Ossos, também conhecido como Camisa de Chocalho por causa de sua barulhenta armadura feita de ossos, confronta Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) em sua viagem para além da Muralha.

O escritor George R.R. Martin foi quem deu a notícia da escalação de Dogliani em seu blog, dando boas-vindas ao ator em Westeros. "Estou ansioso para vê-lo em sua armadura de ossos", escreveu ele.

As filmagens da segunda temporada de "Game of Thrones" em Belfast, Irlanda do Norte, terminam esta semana. Semana que vem, elenco e equipe irão para a Islândia, onde serão filmadas as cenas do outro lado da Muralha.

Alba gu bràth

The new trailer's out for another little film I'm working on...

This is why we wear kilts every Friday.

While I'm on the subject, remember not to miss Angus MacLane's Small Fry, which will premiers next Wednesday in front of The Muppets.

7 days...

Endings Week: New Beginnings

Was thinking about endings and ran across this list of the 50 best movie endings. It's a fun list and I generally agree with their choices. My personal favorites are ones like Say Anything, Casablanca and The Silence of the Lambs.

It struck me that each of these movies actually has a similar ending, in that they each end with a beginning. Lloyd and Diane boarding a plane into the unknown. Rick and Louis embarking on a beautiful friendship. Hannibal Lector free and getting ready to have an old friend for dinner.

In each case, the story is complete in a satisfying way but the ending makes it clear that life goes on, these characters are still out there, still having adventures. I think it makes for a powerful ending, allowing the characters to live on in our imaginations.

And now that I think about it that's actually what I was trying to do with the ending to The Eleventh Plague. The world has completed one transformation and that has opened the door to a new world for the main characters. (Being just slightly vague for any of you that haven't read it) People have mixed feelings about it to be sure. By far the most frequent question I get in emails is along the lines of "But what happens next?!" and "Will there be a sequel where you tell us what happens next?"

I think people naturally want to have things tied up and all questions answered and can be a little frustrated when they don't get exactly what what they want, or all that they want. As a writer though you're sometimes in the position of, hopefully, giving them something that might be more satisfying in the long run.

What do you guys think? Any endings that frustrated you initially but you later realized worked really well?

Theme Week: Endings, really?

I was recently talking about endings on my other blog, and a friend commented that when they were younger (12-ish) they wanted everything wrapped up neatly. They needed to know that it all worked out - even if it wasn't necessarily happy (Old Yeller, anyone?) But, she noted that as she grew older that became less and less important. And, now she prefers some mystery, some loose ends, some unanswered questions in her endings.

Well, I've been thinking about this - cause I tend to write endings with loose ends and unanswered questions. And, one of the things that hit me was - of course - I like life! And, life is one sort of frayed, raveled blanket that has no neat, tidy end.

That's it you know... I like books that remind me of the mysteries of life. There are no absolute answers - no one knows anything really for sure. Certain episodes of life have endings - or beginnings if you will. Falling in love might end in marriage - and then that's a beginning. Then there's a baby - and that's an end of a couple and a beginning of a family. Then the baby grows and leaves home and that's an end - and a beginning... and so goes life. There's birth and death - beginnings and endings - but honestly, who's to say which is which?

Before I get too esoteric... let me just say - I like my endings real - and that doesn't necessarily mean they will be neat and tidy. Life sure isn't!

What do you like?

Hawaiian Vacation

Aloha!

Last week I went to Hawaii for a friend's wedding. The trip also turned out to be a bit of a research trip for a new film of mine. Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my tropical skullduggery.