Photographer Interview: MICHAEL ZINN by Dave Wolff

Interview with MICHAEL ZINN
(WOMEN OF ARMAGEDDON)

Describe the initial concept and storyline you thought up for your calendar project Women Of Armageddon, inspired by 2012 doomsday prophecies. In what ways were you inspired to come up with a post-apocalyptic concept?

Initially the Women of Armageddon was a one-off spoof, meant to be a joke. It was inspired by doomsday prophecies; it was simply this, if the world is going to end, what will the Sports Illustrated swimwear calendar look like? I am a visual artist so immediately visions of Mad Max mixed with Victoria’s Secret danced in my head. My girlfriend at the time was a makeup artist who loved special effects and when I joked with her about the idea she said “let’s do it!” She was friends with a lot of the Haunted House actresses and we wrangled up a crew and made it happen! All in a month’s time! It was amazing how the concept came to life and became its own entity!

Mad Max was and is an influential post-apocalypse movie. What appealed to you about it and why do you think this movie is still attracting new fans today?

I think the idea of a post-apocalyptic scenario is very relevant and probably in the backs of most people’s minds. I think the costumes and settings appeal to me because they seem realistic. Scavenged items, repurposed. Dusty, desolate ruins. I mean, it’s exactly how I would imagine it. I think it has become a huge influence in media and movies, videogames and literature.... that’s why its appeal will always attract new fans.

What do you think of the most recent Mad Max movie that was released a year or so ago? How does it stack up alongside the classic trilogy? 

What a visual treat! The landscapes and the costumes were all on point. I have no complaints! I think it fits right in there. Times change, things change, but the choice to do a lot of the effects practically instead of CGI was an awesome way to keep it real. I love all that stuff! I used to dream about it when I was a kid! Of course now, I’m all out of shape and wouldn’t last a week.

Did you read Heavy Metal magazine around the time you were a fan of Mad Max? That publication had tons of post-apocalyptic stories, including Morbus Gravis.

YES! I loved Heavy Metal magazine! They had a lot of female characters and showed a sexy side of things. I also enjoyed some of the off the wall – out of the box - pieces they had. I had a calendar of Boris Vallejo's work, which is a serious influence in my head of the original W.O.A. Concept.

What other movies by John Carpenter are you a fan of? Do you prefer movies with more CGI or physical sets, and why?

Probably Escape From New York was a favorite, and Big Trouble In Little China. I thought it was so cool that he did his own music. I guess practical is always better in my eyes if it’s done well. Or done stylistically. Good CGI can be barely detectable. So I guess I really don’t have a preference. As long as it’s appropriate. It could be seamless or it could be stylistically over the top.

Were there movies or History Channel documentaries about doomsday prophecies that helped inspire you?

I guess Nostradamus is the most popular one. It always fascinated me how some predictions seemed so accurate, but I think it’s more about intelligence and observation than paranormal.... I was actually also inspired by a “fake reality show” called “Siberia” which was about a group of people on a more realistic “Survivor” type show. Another great post-apocalyptic “fake reality show” I really enjoyed was “The Colony.”

Siberia and The Colony are two shows I haven't heard of. Describe their plots and storylines?

Siberia was a twist on “Survivor”. It had elements of “Lost” but was presented as a genuine reality show with a host and all. Some people believed it WAS real. The Colony was another “fake reality show” but presented the scenario of surviving in a post-apocalyptic environment. The “contestants” (actors) had to find water and food sources. Build fire and protect their home from the elements. They were both great shows, and were believable as reality TV. It’s not running but you can find it online. It’s not ACTUALLY reality TV, it’s a show with actors... but it’s actually a great show about reality TV.

When you envisioned Mad Max meeting Sports Illustrated, how did you make it a reality?

It was very organic. I did a Google search and found a few images, some from Mad Max, and started to share them with the models and makeup artist/stylist Janine Maloney. Immediately everyone got it, and was very excited. Janine started coming up with characters and some great props and ideas for costumes. The original idea had a very “Sucker Punch” feel to it so it was mostly shot on a green screen; some were outdoors in the woods. There was a lot of Google involved in the first calendar, finding images of destroyed environments and locations that felt right. There are urban feeling images as well as rural in the first calendar. One of my favorite images from the first calendar almost feels like “The Hills Have Eyes” or “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” which I must say is also an inspirational source. I love Horror movies.

Did you find nearby locations to photograph through Google? Which one of them had an ambiance similar to “The Hills Have Eyes” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”?

I had a few locations in mind and friends suggested some cool places. The Kings Park Psych Center became a favorite place as well as the Bluff at Kings Park. This last year, I got involved with The New York Zombie Apocalypse, an interactive laser tag experience in Deer Park. They have an amazing facility and superb weaponry. It was a natural collaboration. The Bluff at Kings Park for sure. A lot of the MEN OF ARMAGEDDON calendar was shot there.

Is the Kings Park Psych Center reputed to be haunted? There are several areas in Long Island known for paranormal activity; is this one of them?

People have told me stories about the things that went on there when it was operational.... lobotomies and electro-shock therapy, that kind of thing. So there is definitely an eerie air about the place. Especially when you go in some of the buildings. It’s really an odd feeling, and it certainly lent itself to the post-apocalyptic feel I look for with the calendar. Over the years we've gotten some great stuff.

Was your girlfriend working for a special effects company or working independently?

Actually, she was working the makeup counter at the mall for Bloomingdales. She hated it, but loved makeup. She is a magician when it comes to making someone look like whatever it is you want. A real visionary. What’s pretty cool is that this project was the catalyst for her to get involved in film and photography production. She quit her job, and eventually moved to New Mexico, a thriving filmmaking community. She has been working in movies and television ever since, and this year went to Sundance as part of the team that produced “The Eyes Of My Mother”, a film that is receiving critical acclaim!

If you’ve seen The Eyes Of My Mother, tell the readers what it’s about and your girlfriend’s involvement. What other movies and TV programs has she worked on?

I have not seen it yet, though I am dying to. I hear it is the kind of film experience that leaves you uncomfortable. Janine did the makeup effects. I believe she was involved with the Breaking Bad show, but I cannot verify.

How much press has The Eyes Of My Mother received? Was it released to theaters or on DVD?

Tons! SO many reviews on so many blogs and film sites. It got so much attention that it got a distribution deal. I don't know what the terms are, but you should be able to find it soon.

Describe the haunted house you mentioned and how many actresses were involved in that project. How did you go about seeking models from the Haunted House actresses?

The Chamber Of Horrors is an interactive haunted house. It’s an attraction that you enter and navigate through a series of rooms, that are set up like a horror movie set. As you navigate you are confronted with zombies, ghouls, demons, killer clowns, whatever it might be. We basically just reached out to as many girls as we could, about half were from the haunted house. We needed twelve girls for the calendar... and what was cool was that being a musician, I also recruited some female musician friends from local bands! The diverse group of girls also makes it interesting. I try to involve women who are independent and have their own following for one reason or another, and that becomes another avenue for exposure. In previous calendars I have a Texas state champion bodybuilder (Tara Rickert), a world class electric violinist (Bridgid Bibbens) and a rock and roll singer (Balckey Deathproof of Midnight Mob). This year I have a radio DJ (Niki Ro), an upcoming singer/songwriter (Cait Fazio), two nationally published tattoo models (Kay Possible and Leila Rose), a top Comic Con model (Shelly Scarlet) and more!

Where is the Chamber Of Horrors located and how much work went into making it look like the set of a horror film?

Chamber of Horrors is in Happague and it’s AMAZING. A lot of work by some dedicated and passionate fans went into it a lot like the NY Zombie Apocalypse facility where the 2016 calendar was shot.

How did you go about auditioning models from all those different backgrounds?

It’s not usually much of a process. It’s more about how much enthusiasm to the project is evident. The models aren’t paid, it’s a volunteer thing, and the concept is just so unique that I want anyone involved to bring forward their character. It all has been very organic. Some girls have waited a few years and ended up doing it.

Do your models undergo interviews or produce demos for your consideration?

Usually I get a few photos for a general feel. This year, I was going for a bit sexier feel, but in previous years, I have used women of all shapes and sizes. It is after all about survival.

Has shooting women of different sizes contributed to breaking expectations of how models should look?

Yes I think so. The first calendar was very much friends, who had not really done this sort of thing before, modeling for a calendar. Obviously the Chamber Of Horrors girls were used to getting into costume.

Which of your models have been easiest to work with from the time you started the calendar?

Oh every single one! They are all so amazing and we have a great family bond between a lot of them that frequently make appearances at conventions and events. We were asked to be presenters at this years Macabre Film Festival! It was awesome! I have a few who I am very close with and work with on other projects, Melissa Anne, Kristina Amato, Cait Fazio, Shelly Scarlet... I would not want to name them as favorites because I do love them all, but these are the girls who I feel like enjoy working with me as much... I hope!

How many Women Of Armageddon calendars have you released to date?

Let’s see... 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 had Men AND Women and now 2016. There are six different calendars! And two decks of cards. Countless posters and stickers. It’s a merchandisers dream. The best response to the first calendar that I got was this: We took it to a comic book trader’s show, looking for an Illustrator. I was thinking it was a great idea for a comic book and I could get someone interested. I ran into a gentleman named Chris Notarile. He was the Illustrator for TV Guide for twenty years. He held the calendar and looked at me and said... What is this? A Movie? A Show? I said it’s a calendar. It’s a concept. I think it would make a great comic book! He said it was GOLD. You have an original concept AND an original presentation. You should do a PhotoGraphic Novel. The lights went on and it has been in my hands ever since. I have concepted out a basic storyline and have been working on it slowly, but I have finally found a writer I like and has been pushing me with some great ideas, that evolve the story a little at a time. We should be shooting something pretty cool on the next weeks!

What can you reveal about the storyline for the photographic novel you're developing?

Well the storyline will be more like an “origin” story to set up the whole Women of Armageddon universe. So the idea is these beautiful women all survived the apocalypse and are surviving together, but how did they get that way? The Women of Armageddon to me is very much like “Planet of the Apes” where we will be able to follow the adventures of these women in episodic fashion. I don’t want to reveal too much, but I think it will mix cinematic styles of Quentin Tarantino meets Blair Witch meets any of the Marvel movies. I can only reveal that it’s about a group of women who, based on their circumstance, survive an apocalyptic event.

Who is the writer you are working with and what ideas has he contributed?

The writers name is Lee Kolinski. I met him on the set of a film he wrote called Junkie Heaven. He’s been helping me with dialogue, and creating a unique presentation format. I think the Calendar will evolve into a digital media format. Like a calendar app that will reveal new content daily but act like your Google Calendar or Icalendar.

What is the plot and storyline of Junkie Heaven? Was it released to theaters or can it be viewed on the web?

Junkie Heaven is an interesting short film about a heroin addict who overdoses, but is greeted in the afterlife by a supernatural force that grants him another chance, but of course, conditionally. It was an original concept directed by a friend of mine Steve Sage who introduced me to Lee. I think the film is still making its festival rounds, but should be available online next year.

How soon do you expect to release Women Of Armageddon on digital format? Will you still release physical copies of the calendar or making a complete transition?

I’m hoping to start filming some initial segments this month! Doing some auditions and polishing up the presentation of it all. I’m really hoping to grow it slowly and organically as it has been, but with more focus on story. It’s been all visuals up until now. I think when people see there’s something behind it will flourish some more as well. It’s always been somewhat about the nostalgia as well. That has always been a big influence, so there’s a genuine aspect to it when I release a calendar. I like to believe that people still like to hold the artwork in their hands, turn the pages, and look at it over and over.

Women Of Armageddon

-Dave Wolff

Interview with filmmaker PAIGE JOY by Dave Wolff

Interview with filmmaker PAIGE JOY

You are currently working on a fan film based on Nightmare on Elm St. Is there anything you want to let the readers know about this new project while it’s in development?

We are currently in production of a fan film. Don't Fall Asleep is the untold story of Nancy Thompson. The biggest question most fans want to know is where Nancy was in Nightmare On Elm Street 2. To me and my circle of friends that was what we wanted to explore.

What gave you the idea to do a film on where Nancy was during the events in the second Nightmare On Elm Street movie?

I have wanted to make a horror film since I was in the sixth grade. I never had the right story to tell. Last summer my friend Nathan Thomas Milliner premiered his fan film The Confession of Fred Krueger. Seeing how well his was done pushed me to want to make my own. We started tossing around some ideas, and then the script exploded and we realized we were sitting on a story that needed to be told.

How many different ideas did you have to exchange before settling on a working script?

We went through several rewrites. We joke that we had 900 copies, but it was more like three or four. We wanted our story to be as perfect as it could be. We know Nancy inside and out, so we wanted to make sure her story came across and was true to her character.

Describe the storyline of The Confession of Fred Krueger and what you most appreciated about this fan made movie?

The storyline is before the first Nightmare, before he was burned. It's right when they first caught him. He confesses that's he's the Spring Wood Slasher. It goes into Freddy's back story a way that the other films don't. It was beautifully shot, written, and Kevin Roach's performance was AMAZING.

How long have you known Nathan Thomas Milliner? Have you ever considered collaborating on a film project with him?

I met Nathan through one of my best friends, Diandra Lazor. They are good friends and he used her image of Nancy for a poster that he was doing. From there we became Facebook friends. I think my goal is to just get through this film first. Don't Fall Asleep is my main focus. So there is no intent to collab with anyone other than my producers at the moment. But he's amazing and I would be honored to work with him if I ever got the chance.

Who are the actors appearing in Don’t Fall Asleep and how did you go about casting for the fan film?

Right now we have announced Diandra as the role of Nancy Thompson and William Adams in the role of Freddy Krueger. All further announcements will be on our Facebook community page, Don't Fall Asleep Fan Film. Our film is cast and ready to go; we’re just waiting on our start date of filming.

How do you plan to develop the character of Nancy Thompson in the screenplay? Will the fan film have any original ideas about Freddy Kruger’s character?

I can't say much because we want to keep things under wraps. Nancy has gone through some shit, but still has that core value of strength in her. While Freddy is in our film, it explores Nancy and what happens to her. I will say we are sticking with keeping Freddy evil.

Where was Don’t Fall Asleep filmed and what sets did you have to operate in?

I can't reveal the sets, but they are amazing. We are filming in Ohio. We are filming at several location but our main location is an actual soundstage with amazing sets.

Is there an active website where people can read up to date information about Don’t Fall Asleep?

We are almost at 2,000 likes (in only a week’s time since we announced) on our Facebook. We have a Twitter where we regularly update things as well as an Instagram.

Have you been promoting the impending release of Don’t Fall Asleep at local conventions? How soon do you expect the film to come out?

We haven't hit the convention circuit yet, though our Freddy is going to be at Horror Hound Cincinnati and I know he's gonna be bombarded with questions. But he's under a strict gag order.

Are there many fan made movies you know of based on Nightmare and other horror movies of the 80s?

I feel like everyone with an iPhone attempts to make one these days, and that's a great thing. It keeps the genre and characters alive. But as for actual fan films that receive attention or stick out? There are a couple; Confessions is the main one I think. There's Krueger staring Roberto Lombardi and then there is Freddy's Return: A Nightmare Reborn. All great and worth watching. As far as Friday The 13th or Scream I haven't seen any fan films.

There are good and bad fan films, just as there are good and bad Hollywood movies, and if a movie is made with CGI doesn’t automatically mean it’s better than a movie with physical sets. Do you prefer computer graphics or physical sets in horror?

A couple years ago CGI was taking over and it was putting a lot of makeup artists out of work. It was easier to edit things in during post. But the quality wasn't the best; it just didn't look real. And then Cabin In The Woods came out, and shows like American Horror Story, all of which have physical effects by the amazing AFX Studio in California. And that almost made a resurgence in the physical effect in horror. I think shows like The Walking Dead and American Horror Story wouldn't be what they are if they relied on CGI. And as a special FX artist I prefer physical effects. It just looks better and you get a true reaction from the actor.

So do you see physical effects making a comeback in the near future?

I think they are making a huge comeback as we speak. So many horror writers are wanting to produce their own films, they are tired of fighting with the studios. There are some really good horror movies out there that are filmed on an independent budget. You can't have a small budget and CGI; it’s just not impossible. Our film is going to have several physical effects. I can't talk too much about what they are, but the fans are going to love what we are doing.

How long have you been a fan of horror cinema, and what were the first movies you were exposed to when younger? What first attracted you to Nightmare On Elm Street?

I have been a fan since I was four years old. My dad sat me in front of HBO to babysit me and Nightmare 3: Dream Warriors came on and I fell in love with Freddy. The thing that attracted me to nightmare was Nancy Thompson. She was stunningly beautiful, smart, and courageous. I looked at her character as everything I wanted to be when I grew up. Growing up I would always think about what she would do in certain situations.

What aspects of Freddy Kruger’s character and the concept devised for him resonated with you?

To be honest Freddy was more of a background character; he stood for something more than just a "psycho killer" and was something the main character had to survive from. The symbolism alone on that could be twisted into anyone's everyday life. We are all trying to survive something. So I felt more connected with the heroines of the franchise. Nancy, Kristen, Alice, even Jesse from part 2 (even though he is male). To me the films are about survival. Nathan's film explored his background in a way that wasn't comical like they did in the later films. You really see what made Freddy, Freddy. And he is pure evil, not this Jay Leno standup comedian they make him out to be in the later sequels.

What do you think of Nightmare being remade with another actor portraying Freddy? Do you think horror classics in general should be remade or left alone? Or does it depend on the remake?

Remakes are lazy. Hollywood is dead with original ideas, so they feel the need to recycle. When I think of Nightmare, I think of Robert. It’s a testament because thirtysomething years later we are still talking about him and what Wes Craven did, and that remake is long in the dust.

What is your view of how women have been portrayed in horror from the early eighties to the present?

I think it's mixed on how they've been portrayed, some women are just the background, the fluff, others they are the star, and maybe that's why I like nightmare so much. Other films rely on the sexualization of women, and nightmare doesn’t. Wes wanted a strong female character who wasn't a big boobed blonde. Even looking at Sydney Prescott in Scream, she was smart and powerful. I think through the years the female voice in horror has changed itself, with so many women producing films now, we have a voice. These over-sexualized themes are now disappearing.

After you discovered the Nightmare On Elm Street series, what were some of the other film series you came across?

I loved the Scream series, Poltergeist, and of course Hellraiser and Hellraiser 2: Hellbound. Scream came out when I was in 6th grade, and it just struck a chord with me. Yet again another brunette girl next door who had to fight to survive, but I loved how it has that play on almost ripping on horror films, all while being incredibly scary. Poltergeist was just scary. Anything with ghosts or demons freaks me out! Hellraiser is a rather new one for me. I love the story and I love the special effects in it.

I recently heard will be a new Hellraiser movie. What do you think of that idea? Do you think franchises can be overdone?

I have heard they are making a new Hellraiser, I don't know much of what is out there about it but I can't wait to see what it’s going to be. Obviously I don't think they are over done if I am making a film that is part of a franchise, even if it’s a fan film. I think remakes are over done, but if it’s a continuation of the story, keeps honor to the original, and helps progress the story along, then I am all for it.

When Don’t Fall Asleep is released, will it be available for streaming on the net as well as released to theaters or shown at local conventions?

Our goal is to show it as a big premiere at a convention. That is still in the works. We are not sure which one will be the right fit. After that we will release it online and then hopefully enter it in some horror festivals and maybe another convention.

Will there be a DVD release of Don’t Fall Asleep when it’s out? How do you plan to promote the film upon its release?

There has been talk about a possible DVD release filled with bonuses, but we wouldn't sell it. We would instead give it away at conventions or if people wanted it, we would just have them pay for shipping. This is a fan film so there will be no profit whatsoever from anything we do. We are actually losing money on it because we are self-funding it. We chose not to do a Kickstarter or anything like that. This is our love letter to the fans. As far as promoting, we have an amazing promotional team who is going to handle all of that, so I'm not quite sure their plan. I know we will have behind the scenes stuff posted regularly.

-Dave Wolff

Artist Interview: AZRAEL PAUL DAMIEN by Dave Wolff

Interview with AZRAEL PAUL DAMIEN

When I interviewed you for Autoeroticasphyxium issue #20 you were involved in some writing projects. Recall some of them and explain why you went from writing to computer artwork.

I just felt the call to a new medium of expression, writing just didn't give the utter sense of fulfillment that I got when I continued to write. I love CGI because it gives me a chance to see with my own eyes what was once veiled in the clouds of my imagination. Beforehand I wrote the short story Mr. Tinkerton and the published novel Convict Grade. I started to feel unsatisfied by my work and wished for something more visceral so I started making little Youtube videos and one day inspiration hit me that it would look better with CGI. Thus started my new mission to learn all I could about the medium and try to craft out images that people might want to see.

When your interview was published, did anyone discover you by reading it?

I am not sure, I certainly got more friend requests and more interest in what I was doing but as far as solid sales I never really kept track of them.

How much of a response had Convict Grade gotten after you published it? Were you getting a lot of orders for it or was it the lack of a response that made you want to pursue other interests?

Convict Grade started off strong but after the book tour I didn't feel like publishing the second (Tears Of The Fallen was written but never published). I am kind of a Renaissance man; once I feel reasonably accomplished in one area I move on to the next thing that catches my interest. I still get royalties from Amazon so I would assume it is still selling somewhat. I love my readers but I just can’t toss out crap for the almighty dollar. I would rather release a work of passion and interest or not release it.

Did you receive feedback for Convict Grade? Would you release a revised version of Tears Of The Fallen if you had a chance to? How much  do you think you would have to revise?

In fact annoyingly so. My Canadian fans are my best and most loyal I must say. One day I will release the second book though probably only on Kindle. When I do finally release Tears I hope to revise it quite a lot. I was in a pretty dark place when I wrote it and quite frankly tortured my poor characters. Going back I would ease up quite a lot on Tigg; he got it pretty good (laughs). I think the base story would remain the same but I wasn't a fan of my own writing style. It felt needlessly heartless to the plight of my characters.

What was your short story Mr. Tinkerton about? Was this story published in print or on the net?

Mr.Tinkerton was a short story printed in Arcanum Axiom magazine (I think). I haven't heard much on Arcanum Axiom since I dropped off the scene. Mr. Tinkerton was about a handicapped kid at school who was bullied and disliked with a harelip. A series of mysterious murders involving a cannibalistic clown named Mr. Tinkerton began to occur in his high school. A frightened cheerleader took up his friendship for strength in numbers. The ending had her hiding out in a hotel room with him as the killer was apprehended. The twist ending was when the handicapped kid pulled out his false teeth revealing shark type teeth, wiping off his makeup he revealed himself to be a demon with clown-like face, It ended with the line "The real question is, can you say Mr. Tinkerton?" and the laughter echoed into the night.

Had you been writing a lot of short stories around the time you penned Mr. Tinkerton and your published novels?

When I wrote Mr. Tinkerton I was actually in writer’s block hell, so I started writing some short stories just to get the process moving again. I just needed to take a step outside of the characters to get a fresh feel for the second novel. Sad to say it didn't work but that's how it goes I guess. In that time I had some great short stories about demons that grow inside your head slowly driving you mad until they "hatch". The idea was just that maybe a tumor and insanity is more than science will allow us to believe.

That story about demons growing inside your head, what was the title and storyline?

The story was called "Why Do The Voices Call?" It was about a guy who was hearing voices being told by one "expert" after another that it was, this mental condition or that. Eventually the demon began to grow and cat scans showed it to be a tumor of unknown origin. As the story closed out we find out that not only was he possessed but it was growing like a baby in a womb waiting to be born. I won’t spoil the end in case one day I send it to you for your readers.

Have you been thinking up any ideas for new fiction pieces of late?

All of my artwork is fiction as are my videos, but yes I have. I have actually been considering a CG graphic novel type deal, done by many different artists though the idea is still very much in the concept phase.

Where did you seek information about CGI upon deciding to do computer graphic art? Which of the sources you looked for turned out to be the most helpful?

My brother works for a company called DAZ studios. He was showing everybody what CGI was all about I was terribly fascinated by what I saw. It had a rather steep learning curve but I was addicted right out of the gate. I found that I could make things that I had only dreamed about: faeries, vampires, out of this world stuff. I mean you are really limited only by your imagination. I personally like the animation aspect the most. But a good still is also rewarding. I just want to make something that makes people step back and go ‘wow this can be done on a 20 dollar budget that is amazing!’ (The actual budget of my Youtube show is about 20 dollars an episode). If I were to suggest a good place to start it would be DAZ. It’s free and takes about ten minutes to learn but impossible to master as the world of CGI is ever evolving. For example my meridian dance video The Way Things Stay is now obsolete. I have learned so much since then I am like ‘wow Meridian looked like shit back then’. This stuff isn't cheap; it requires wicked hardware if you want to get anything animated. I had have a system built specifically for this, and I am upgrading to a second tower that is solely for rendering!

What hardware are you working with at present, and how well is it doing the job for you? What hardware do you want to work with as your show progresses?

I am running currently an MSI motherboard with an AMD black CPU and 2 GeForce 970 NVidia cards and 32 gigs of ddr3 ripjaw ram. I had it built specifically to use the after effects software before I realized I would eventually venture into CGI territory. I would like to get duel NVidia Gforce 970's.

You told me you recently figured out how to work with green screen effects. What materials do you use for green screen effects and how has that been working out?

For green screen I currently use a ten by twenty muslin screen (x3) and I have found them to be really fun. It’s like being able to put yourself anywhere at any time period. I live in the middle of nowhere and have very limited access to filming locations so I create CGI backgrounds (I used to use photos) and just put us wherever we want to be. Every single one of our episodes were filmed almost entirely in a little 20 by 20 space. The only exception is the Halloween episode which was filmed in my house.

Describe your video The Way Things Stay and explain how much your work had developed up to then?

The video is based on the theme song for our show "Zep and Zen". It was written by a talented man named M.B. Jones, a math teacher most of the time. I got to listening to it one day and thought ‘this is a really danceable toon, but I can’t dance for shit’ (as evidenced by our previous video for Footloose) so I thought maybe I can make Meridian dance. Through much trial and error I learned to use an app within DAZ called Puppeteer to make her move. It was a very tedious project and failed many times before I finally "struck gold" and even now I hate the way her fingers curl back. It’s always a learning process. My current project "The Souls Of The Star Tear" is a piano derivation played by Zep of the song "Star Tear" combined with another song I can’t remember off the top of my head. It will be the most difficult animation piece I have done to date involving ballet dancing, moon faeries, waltzing ghosts, an airship flying through space and a woman swinging from the crescent moon. The second of my current projects is a commissioned animation piece for Moonda Tee for her song Lulla-Bye, a darker piece featuring a vampiress dancing; a combination of mixed martial arts and a sexy type dance. Both of these are pretty heavy projects and with any luck my best projects to date. My goal on Youtube and when working with clients is to try to create something that no one has seen before on a shoe string budget (here is the concept for the Lulla-Bye character).

Internet TV has been gaining popularity over the last five years or so, as more people are developing their own independent channels where they have complete creative control of their work. Do you see this continuing in the years to come?

I think that as far as Youtube goes at least, something has to give. The term fair use is being thrown around a lot with regards to review shows and comedies using copyrighted material. Well as you can imagine Hollywood is getting quite upset with the whole situation. Even moderately large channels like Channel Awesome are feeling the pain of this. A brief explanation of fair use is: “a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. It is one type of limitation and exception to the exclusive rights copyright law grants to the author of a creative work. Examples of fair use in United States copyright law include commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship. It provides for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.” A perfect example of this is how I just ripped off that definition from Wikipedia (ironic grin). The point of it is that these reviews and such that we enjoy every day are in danger of being destroyed by Hollywood because they aren't making their cut. The last people on earth who want Youtube to replace cable TV are the overpaid content producers of the major networks and Hollywood. there is currently a battle going on with Youtube’s content ID system (the computerized system used to root out copyrighted material and ban the videos) called #WTFU (I know what you’re probably thinking but it stands for “where’s the fair use”) where content creators (people like me) are battling for our basic entertainment right to parody things. So the outcome of all these fair use battles will really determine the outcome of future entertainment. So if you want to get involved in protecting our rights to entertain you check out #WTFU.

It seems odd the sites being targeted are fan run, especially those that post movie reviews. It’s as if the majors don’t want fans to base their opinions on fan reviews. Do you think the majors feel threatened?

It’s like with independent film, we will use the 90's live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as an example of this, No one wanted to fund the movie; they believed it would flop so the movie was made independently. AFTER Hollywood saw its appeal they swooped in, purchased it, slapped their logos on it and made it their own. With Youtube sometimes, the reviews such as those from the Nostalgia Critic are better than the movie it’s mocking. So the question becomes why see this Hollywood bowel movement after the critic said it sucked? The answer that Hollywood can’t seem to grasp is because we want to see for ourselves how bad it is. It’s like when your friend is like "this smells horrible" you owe him a "courtesy sniff" so when these critics pan the movie we owe them a "courtesy sniff" so we too can say it was awful. If Hollywood can’t take its share or feels like a kid bullied on the playground they fight back and in the case of the turtles, became the bullies.

If Hollywood is that confident, they shouldn’t worry about taking it on the chin from a smaller independent channel. But it seems that Hollywood wants everyone to be unanimous about their movies.

The problem is that independent artists are more of a threat now than they ever were. Why go to a theatre and get shot when I can watch it at home on my 72 inch plasma, and why waste two hours of my time when a review is only twenty minutes and condenses the whole overbloated feature into an easily palatable soundbyte; there is some truth in that. But the paranoia that that will become the norm is ridiculous. To know where you are going you must first know where you started from. The mass word of mouth has always been Hollywood’s biggest promoter, but now that they are simply two-hour long commercials for products as opposed to well thought out fiction. They try to hide the opinions of reviews and only bring to light the positive influence of sheep.

Kevin Smith had a successful film career beginning with Clerks and now does his own podcast (Smodcast) which he promotes independently. So far he hasn’t come under fire. Do independent talk shows pose an equal threat?

I have seen Kevin’s show. The more stars that move to this format, the more challenge they pose to mainstream media. I really do think it will impact television to the point where something has to give. TV is like 100 bucks a month and Youtube is free; the math doesn't lie

Besides Channel Awesome and Nostalgia Critic, are there any other review channels you would recommend?

You can’t go wrong with Cinema Sins, and as far as gaming goes Angry Video Game Nerd. I actually really love the AVGN movie and The Christmas special where he spoofs the Grinch. The song kills me How The Nerd Stole Christmas - Angry Video Game Nerd - Episode 97. And Cinema Sins’ Everything Wrong With Transformers: Age of Extinction Part 1.

Do you post any movie reviews at your Youtube profile? What new movies would you most like to review?

Due to the whole copyright fiasco going on on Youtube today we try to steer clear of reviewing anything except maybe retro gaming.

How long has the Zep And Zen Show been active and where on the internet can it be viewed? Present some information about the concept of this show?

The Zep And Zen Show was kind of a brainchild of me and John Jones (sounds like a fake name but isn't) I watched a lot of Youtube and decided that it would be cool to go inside a movie. After much talking I thought of the idea of using a time machine. Ultimately John decided it should be a Tardis. To avoid copyright infringement we called it the "Re-Tardis". The next question was material. First the concept was comparing new to old, but companies get butthurt over copyright so we decided on parody. Horror movies lend themselves well to this genre so they are naturally the ones we do the most. One day we realized there were not enough actors to effectively do the storyline since there was only me, our props guy Dave Farrell and John, so I got this brilliant Idea to do CGI. The problem was I had to learn to do it. Before Meridians debut I had ONE WEEK to learn it! Now we continue to do parodies as well as music videos, and a new show coming soon called Brain Fluff. It’s a fact based show about whatever facts I feel like talking about, with my cohost the CGI character Meridian. We also do a gaming segment called Get Your Game On where we play old retro games. The last one was Friday The 13th on the NES. Even though I tried to leave horror, for some reason everything is still horror themed.

Tell the readers some more about your Friday The 13th episode? How many episodes of the show have you made altogether?

The Friday the 13th episode (laughs) is the one where you get to see me drink my own pee laced with ketamine... that was one of my absolute favorites to make. That episode was where Meridian (our CGI girl) really came into her own. The idea kind of came to me one day when I was watching Freddy vs Jason. I thought wow what would I Zen do if he were in that situation... short answer... use his inferior intellect to get through it. Essentially all of the Zep and Zen episodes are interconnected going all the way back to Footloose. We have six episodes of Zep and Zen, two episodes of Get Your Game On and one episode of the offbeat shows like the music videos. Sadly due to medical issues I am late in starting this season of the show but we are working on Star Wars. The Friday episode allowed me a lot more leeway in what I could do with my limited knowledge of producing a show. I tried new techniques that worked out pretty well considering our budget. Short catch up Zen is a reject from the 80's that was quickly approaching the end of an era and just didn't fit in with the world anymore. So one night while drinking outside of a gas station he is abducted by the mysterious Dr. what and taken away in the Retardis time machine. Something goes wrong and he ends up in 2015 where he meets Zep, a broken corporate cog who no longer sees the humor in life. Zep ends up stuck with what and Zep as they travel through movies just trying to find a place where they really fit in.

What ideas do you have for the Star Wars episode of your show? When it comes to Star Wars, do you prefer the first trilogy or the prequels? What are your thoughts on the new movie?

The Star Wars episode will start with the original film "A New Hope" and it will chronicle Zep and Zen bumbling through becoming Jedis with Luke Skywalker. Whether we will do all the films comes down to the popularity of the episode. I actually really liked the new Star Wars but the way she was just a Jedi with zero training was a bit annoying, but l prefer the originals by far.

Describe what your Halloween episode was like. Anything particularly outlandish you devised for that episode?

The Halloween episode was amazing to film, it was the first introduction of CGI into our show. I had finally figured out how to add Meridian into real life without a background so it was really the first time we were "in the same room" as the Meridian character. it was challenging because this was before we were used to working with someone who wasn't there so many times I'm looking in the wrong place for her and her perspective was off so she looked two-dimensional. Another funny part was when I was running down the stairs and hit the wall I had actually overshot the bottom stair the first time we filmed it to hilarious result. One problem... the cameraman burst out laughing so I had to do it again and again I was so sore by the end of it. I also came up with the Meridian system on the spot. I thought she was kind of evil to Zen so I wanted the system to have a name that reflected that so we came up with P.M.S. or Portable Meridian Service.

Do you have episodes posted that are based on other holidays? If not, which holiday do you plan to cover next?

We actually thought of doing our own original Christmas special musical. We try to hit most of the holidays. We missed Christmas and New Year’s due to illness but we will have something up for Easter.

How actively have you been promoting the Zep and Zen show on social media sites?

We haven't really done any promotion since I have been recovering from surgery and I still have one more on my jaw but we are making our triumphant return this month sometime. To tell you the truth I could really use some help in learning how to promote the book if I had a marketing team, Zep and Zen has just me and I suck rocks at promoting my own stuff.

I noticed the Zep And Zen Show can be viewed at Youtube; is it available for viewing at other video sites? How many hits has it gotten at Youtube and what do you think you could do to promote it more widely?

The show is currently only on Youtube though we are considering our own website in the future. We are currently at 48 subscribers but hope to see that number grow as our videos do the same. The one thing I would say to our subscribers if they are reading this, is thank you, from the bottom of my weasely black heart I thank you. We love to entertain and we hope that we can continue to do so for many seasons. Right now I am in the middle of a series of dental surgeries so bear with us as talking in front of a camera is a little rough on me at the moment. By the way I play Zen.

Are you considering working with a live actress for the Meridian character?

Meridian is actually voiced by me with several voice filters... what happened was, we couldn't find an actress that was willing to work for free in our area so I had the brilliant CGI idea but then one practical problem arose.... no voice! I recorded myself saying her lines and played around with all the settings in Adobe Audition pro, until it sounded distinctly female. Once I had the female sound I talked with a bit of a drawl and Meridian was born... sorry guys she isn't real!

You have said Meridian was also partly based on the character of Number Six from Battlestar Galactica. Why did you choose this character?

I must say I have always had a thing for Tricia Helfer but beyond just that I also thought if I was going to use a cyber character why not a beautiful woman like Caprica 6 the Cylon? So the more I shaped her the more I thought of Tricia Helfer including one that looked like her to the point of copyright infringement so I had to dial it back. When Meridian returns the resemblance will be more than passing as I have just upgraded my system today. (I got the GTX 970 cards x2) so rendering a better looking image should be easier.

Tell the readers some more about the character of Lulla-Bye and the other characters featured on the show?

For Moonda’s Lulla-Bye she wanted a character that resembled her so I developed a vampire gamer type girl that somehow evolved into a vampyress. She is one of my favorite creations honestly, and as far as the show goes we have only one main recurring CGI character. Meridian is a Genesis 2 female, with various clothing options. Moonda the CGI is a Genesis 3 female with various head and body morphs applied to make her look more like her real life counterpart. Making the characters unique has become the norm for me and I try to keep them looking special and unique for every CGI model.

Are there any new characters you are developing as regulars on the show? How often do you consider new ideas in that department?

We are ALWAYS open for new ideas and characters as well as collaborations. It’s just kind of a process really. If I happen to create a character I really like in CG they will probably end up staying with the show. As far as human actors go it’s not likely that we will hire anyone new because humans tend to want more than they have earned. Youtube especially makes for some prima donnas. I think it’s something about seeing yourself on TV that does it to people.

Do you eventually plan to build an official website for the Zep and Zen show? If you decided to build an official site, what software would you want to use and what would you post there for people to view?

I know nothing of how to build a website I hope to build one sometime this year I am not sure how though. I suppose in the end I will just hire someone to do it. But I would love to have a "marketplace" for my work I would like to start selling custom jobs as well as prints of my currently completed work. Right now if someone would like to purchase a CGI still using their features, an animation for a video, or any other custom job using CGI I can be reached at my Facebook page. We are always open for new jobs and yes I am willing to create nudes (first question everyone asks) but they are a little more expensive. A matted signed print of my already completed work is 15$. A custom job is 30 to 200$ depending on size content and difficulty. I can go all the way up to poster sized. And animations range from 50$ to 1500$ depending again on content and difficulty.

You are currently doing some graphic work from contacts you met through social media. Do you want to discuss these?

I can’t say the clients’ names at will but I can discuss the projects. I have two music videos on the horizon a few fliers and what not and we do work on custom jobs on request. I believe we already covered pricing so Ill detail the things for sale any of the photos of my work can be purchased in an eight-by-ten glossy for twenty bucks or two for thirty. Custom is of course more money but you get exactly what you want!

What other new ideas are you thinking up for the Zep and Zen show and how do you expect them to come to fruition? Would you like to see the show aired on cable access TV or cable TV in the future?

Zep and Zen have many more adventures planed for them including a trip to Hoggy Woggy Hogwarts and many more.

Azrael Paul Damien on Facebook

-Dave Wolff

CD Review: BATTLE CREEK Hate Injection (Independent) by Sarah McKellar

BATTLE CREEK

Hate Injection

Independent

http://www.facebook.com/BattlecreekThrash

"Dealing Death commences "Hate Injection" with the melodic acoustic beginning opening to a melodic heavy metal riff before exploding into a savage thrash attack. Complete with grinding guitars, tight drum lines and gutturally aggressive vocals thoroughly fitting and characteristic of the thrash genre, this is an incredibly strong track and an excellent opening track. The riffs are worthy of mention- as is the sheer speed of the drum work.

"Redneck Riot" opens to the aural assault of the drumwork and once again is very consistent of the polished thrash stylings appearing to be consistent in Battle Creek's musical approach. This track increases the ante with sheer balls and aggression and leaves you eagerly awaiting the next track.

"Kill or be killed" is a thrash metaller's dream commencing with a strong opening riff. This track then shifts up into the next gear into the thrashing yet polished sound I now know as characteristic of Battle Creek. The screaming riffs and vocals combines with the aggressive yet melodic riffs make this track very captivating and pleasing to the ear.

Full on thrash metal combined with exceptional drumming and catchy riffs- you do gain the expectation that Battle Creek are a band that consider failure not to be an option. Their passion and dedication is obvious by their polished sound and faultless delivery. They are a band for the thrash inclined to keep watch on- and I will confess to looking forward to hearing the full release of "Hate Injection" after thoroughly enjoying the first three tracks. -Sarah McKellar

Track list:
1. Dealing Death
2. Redneck Riot
3. Kill or Be Killed
4. Hate Injection
5. Blood for the President
6. Fuck the Demon
7. Hell in a Cell
8. Dädldi Dädldi Dä
9. Nodeng of Darkness

CD Review: EXHORTATION Oracle Of Bones (Independent) by Sarah McKellar

EXHORTATION

Oracle Of Bones

Independent

http://www.facebook.com/exhortationband

"The Human Condition" commences "Oracle of Bones" with an opening of pensive keyboard work combined with selective reflective samples. The overall result comes across as chaotic and reflective- a slightly off-putting yet intriguing starting track.

"Toxic Disembowelment" is a powerful wave of sound that defines this track and Exhortation's ability to change styles quickly and masterfully. It stands out purely for the initial heaviness; only to switch seamlessly into a slow heavy metal sound and back again as faultlessly. The drum line is particularly worth attention, as is the consistent versatility of the vocalist- something to be appreciated. An excellent introduction to Exhortation as a whole.

"The Husk of the Pit" commences with a groove-laden baseline before presenting the riffs and overtones of the guitar work. Thoroughly enjoyable in the track's precise delivery of on-point drumming, in combination with a wickedly catchy guitar line; "Husk of the Pit" is closely impossible not to like and resonates with my musical tastes perfectly.

Opening with a sample overshadowed by soothing guitar riffs- "For every Goliath, there is a stone" is one of the slower songs on the release but does reveal the clean vocal and harmonizing talent in the vocals and the heavy metal style emanated by Exhortation. There is a clear influence of old school Heavy Metal in this track which is both enjoyable and energizing.

"Blood of the Chosen Ones" commences with a leading riff accentuated by understated supporting music- a pared back approach proving effective. Cue a tempo shift- this track shifts up a notch into a diverse mix of clean and growling vocals. Consistently tight musicology and cadence shifts show the diversity of the musicians as well as their ability to interchange styles effectively.

"Oracle of Bones" follows on in the energy and diversity I've come to expect from Exhortation. With sweeping riffs, catchy drum lines and upbeat tempos. Interchanged with samples and instrumentals ensure that this track does catch your attention. The bass-lines in this track are a factor to pay attention to.

"The Oracle of the Bones" is a diverse, style-switching experience from the screaming guitars to the continually changing vocals- a thoroughly enjoyable EP and definitely worth a listen for seeing what Exhortation can present musically. -Sarah McKellar

Track list:
1. The Human Condition
2. Toxic Disembowelment
3. Husk of the Pit
4. For Every Goliath There Is a Stone
5. Blood of the Chosen One
6. Oracle of Bones

CD Review: REANIMATOR Horns Up (Independent) by Sarah McKellar

REANIMATOR

Horns Up

Independent

http://www.facebook.com/reanimatormtl

Switching from the thrash groove and admirable drum lines of "Electric Circle Pit" combined with powerfully aggressive vocals commences "Horns Up" and gathers your interest, leaving you awaiting more. "Run for the Mosh" definitely doesn't disappoint- kicking up into a faster and more hectic tempo which displays Reanimator's ability- the riffs particularly stand out in this track. Other noteworthy tracks include "The Mosh Master" for sheer speed and energy resonating from this track. "Still Sick" shows a great deal of diversity and tempo shifts, in combination with the riffs and the practiced sound consistent with Reanimator's Style has definitely made this track stand out. "Horns up" is ballsy and unashamed to be so. In particular, the tracks contained within this release show the diversity of the band and "Thrash and Roll" and it's obvious by the slamming riffs and sheer aggressive approach to their music that there is a great deal of dedication and passion for their music. I'm genuinely looking forward to hearing more. -Sarah McKellar

Track list:
1. Electric Circle Pit
2. Rush for the Mosh
3. Tempted by Deviance
4. Thieves of Society
5. The Abominautor
6. The Mosh Master
7. Still Sick
8. Off with Their Heads
9. Mock a Mockingbird

CD Review: SANKTUARY Something Fierce (STM Records) by Sarah McKellar

SANKTUARY

Something Fierce

STM Records

http://www.facebook.com/sanktuarymetal

Commencing with an instrumental opening track in the form of "Deadly Prey" packed with soaring guitar riffs and strong drum lines prepares you for the inevitable Thrash assault that is "Heat Lightning" One of the most notable qualities is the drum work which is incredibly tight and consistent- ensuring that Sanktuary, as a consequence, sound extremely cohesive. It's obvious that many hours of time and dedication has been put into their tracks. "Hail The Villain" is personal standout track- simply because of riffs and technique displayed throughout as a whole. Another diverse and enjoyable track was "Beyond the walls" - an instrumental with resonant melodic overtones. The vocals show excellent range and it's a pleasure to see versatility consistently through "Something Fierce" I am definitely looking forward to hearing more of Sanktuary's material. -Sarah McKellar

Track list:
1. Deadly Prey
2. Heat Lightning
3. Hail the Villain
4. Thrill of the Kill
5. Screeching for Vengeance
6. Fire in the Sky
7. Beyond the Wall
8. Midnite Mass
9. Raise the Flag

Article: Can I Play With Madness? by Alan Lisanti

Can I Play With Madness?

Article by Alan Lisanti

I don't watch John Oliver's Show regularly. I don't go out of my way to seek out news or media coverage based on which way it leans (Right or Left). This is not to say I prefer to bury my head in a hole, and hope that "ignorance is bliss" is as true of a concept as it's made out to be. I just like to form my own opinions, draw my own conclusions, and think for myself. I happened to land on the channel just as John Oliver was tearing down Trump, and I couldn't look away. I was just glad somebody finally decided to get real about the allure of Trump and say something other than: "Well...he does have charisma", and "he's not afraid to speak his mind" for a change. If you can watch the whole thing and still somehow justify the insane notion that Trump should be anywhere near public office or even made it this far into it, then maybe Trump is not the only considerably psychotic entity in this equation. You won't watch it because it might blow the lid of the whole charade though, and then you would have to admit just how fucking crazy it is. In the meantime, let's watch this asshole continue to lie through his teeth, and hopefully he can make up his mind at some point as to whether he wants that KKK vote. If you have any semblance of intelligence in your skull and can still sit here and ignore all of the obvious signs that even at his best he us still just a wealthy guy without a clue, no poise, no tact, no plan, no experience, no clue...nothing to offer except a sound bite and idle threats. But you know, he's a "successful" business man. Not a sociopathic bullshit artist with no clue how to run a country. All these people keep saying: "but he tells it like it is." Does he? Does he really?? Not at all. So he has the gonads to run his mouth? This somehow translates to him "calling people out on their bullshit". Who is calling Trump out on his bullshit?! When are you going to use those same eyes to look objectively back in the same direction? You can not cherry pick truth and then call for reality only when it's convenient for you. You might as well be voting for Oswald fucking Cobblepot you fucking idiots. Trump did nothing more than invest in himself. Then he told you that he's self funded and you ate the polished turd with a wink and a smile. So is the joke on Trump or is the joke on you? Or is the joke on all of us, and the fact that anybody could be eating this steaming pile of crap up, let alone be taking him seriously. How shitty of a human being to you have to be to identify with a billionaire with a bad attitude, serious ego and self-image issues, and nothing to offer the world but a bad haircut, a bad attitude, and a thinly veiled promise of "making America great again" as if anything this guy has proposed actually has the intent or the means behind it to alter anything besides Trump McDucks inflated bank account (according to him)...which is probably more bullshit...seeing as the guy can't seem to do shit business wise other than maintain the illusion that his brand (key word brand) retains any actual value to it while he plummets into debt. Such a good business man that he sells steaks at The Sharper Image. Such a great "builder" only he doesn't build shit. Like everything out of his mouth, it is all predicated on the strength of the illusion he is projecting. The shit I can't understand is how some people can't see through it even if you gave them x-ray glasses...which is seriously odd, and borderline disturbing considering how transparent the whole rouse seems to me. And that's all I got to say about that. But keep giving credit to the king of blowing smoke up people's asses for pulling the curtain back on the whole operation, as if we needed some jackass like Trump to come along and tell us to finally decide to open our eyes. News flash...nothing he supposedly has "exposed" due to his "unorthodox" tactics was anything that wasnt glaringly apparent either. Let's not call a bullshit artist a revealer of truth when the man himself is allergic to the notion of actuality. I don't care if you disagree either. Feel free to find some other way to convince yourself Trump is a good idea. Delusion is the practice of the weak. You can dress delusion up in gold robes but it's still nothing more than a blatant crock of shit. I don't hate Trump because he's wealthy. I don't hate him because he runs his mouth, or because he's successful in his business ventures (or not). Sometimes you have to strip away all the fluff, all the pomp and circumstance, all the masquerading, all your own personal biases, or what side of the line your beliefs fall on. Sometimes you just need to look at things clearly without the distraction of all of these variables. I can't help but conjure up any conclusion where either Trump is crazy, his supporters are crazy, or the whole world is just officially out of its mind. Maybe you think Oswald Cobblepot is what this country needs right now, but do you really want to grant that much power to a one dimensional comic book character? Where is the substance? Where is the plan? Where is the knowledge? The experience? The vision? It takes more than a 4 word slogan to change things. It takes more than a name, or an attitude, or insults. Where is the candidate that can shake things up as they need to be shaken that has the mind to get things done, not just the gall to be brash, or the charisma to seduce the sedated? Don't we need a more complete package? Maybe the whole Trump thing is just a symptom or a side effect of a larger issue. How fucked does the world have to be for this to be our actual reality? I guess its pretty clear things aren't looking to good out here, but I'm just not convinced that you can stop the world from burning by pouring more gas on the flames.