Tuesday, Jul. 1st, 2008 -- Where the Hell did I go???
So, wow, I've been gone for a really long time on this one. My sincerest apologies, folks, but I'll have you know, I can explain!
For starters I've finally started working again! Working for Square-Enix, even as a temp, might just be the most appropriate job I've ever had. Is it still a grind? Sure - any job is, but I don't hate myself at the end of the day - in fact, I feel awesome! The people are great, the title is fun, and the hours seem to work well for my sleeping pattern - in short, I hope to stay with them for a long time.
But THAT's not all! I mentioned in my last post that I've been training with the Upright Citizens Brigade, and I still am. I'm now in their third level of improv classes and I just finished their first level of sketch writing classes. I'm at the theater at least three times a week, and I've also been interning for one of their monthly sketch shows. I've even started jamming with a couple of groups, and it seems like one of them might turn into a real team soon. Basically, when I'm not at Square, I'm at improv, and when I'm not doing that stuff, I'm writing, drawing, coding, or studying (yes, I study just about everything for improv now - gotta fill that tank!)... and when I'm not doing that, I'm passed out from exhaustion!
Even though my life is busier than ever, I've been working on what I hope will be the best redesign for shadow64.net ever! It will include content for all sections, and look as good (if not better!) than airplanekittybasketball.com. Hey, I said that it would be done by August, I've still got time!
Well, that's all the news for now, but trust me, I'm not just sitting around. For once, I'm working my ass off around the clock - and it's AWESOME!
Keywords: Upright Citizens Brigade, UCB, Improv, and Square Enix.- Shadow "Big Booty, Number Ten!" 64
Saturday, Mar. 22nd, 2008 -- Danny's Right, Upright Citizens, and Square Enix!
So it's been well over a month since my last entry, but I have a good excuse - I've been busy doing awesome things!
First, I'll start off by saying that I know that there are certain parts of this site that have never had any content. My goal over the months of March through August is to change that. I want this site to be fully loaded! No, not that Fully Loaded... NO, NOT that Fully Loaded! Yes, THAT fully loaded!
Over the past month or so, I've returned to my roots - videogames. I started gaming heavily again and even went so far as to go back to VERGE and start making a Phoenix Wright clone game called "Danny's Right - Ace This Guy." Thus, the gaming section finally has (minimal) content. I will post screenshots and demos all too soon, but for the moment all that stands is a simple look at the title screen that I made. PLEASE refrain from judging me for the lens flare. I know, I know. I will make my own pixel lens flare later, but it was like 4AM at that point and lens flares are stupid anyway. Deal with it. In case you didn't get this, all of the art, music, story, code are done by me - it's fun, but taxing. I spent something like 4 hours doing a single frame of a sprite yesterday - I think my brain fell out. In any case, I'm proud of the work that I'm doing on it, and hopefully it will be a fun game to play (even if the majority of the first case is heavily shrouded in inside jokes from when I worked at Sony).
Next on the list! I'm not only rooted in videogames, but I've been a fan/performer of improv comedy for years and finally I'm getting the chance to follow a lifelong dream and study at The Upright Citizens Brigade theater in Los Angeles. My time there so far has been amazing. I'm currently studying under Johnny Meeks which couldn't have been a better choice for me. The classes move at a solid pace and I find myself really getting something out of class each week. One of the coolest things about taking classes there is the free shows for students and the people you meet. I have met so many of the performers now, people that I've seen on television hundreds of times, and they have all for the most part been the nicest people you could ever meet - and they're hysterical to watch on stage! You always think that when you meet your heroes (or at least people you respect) that they're going to turn out to be selfish, arrogant jerks, but these people couldn't be cooler. It's fantastic!
As if this wasn't enough, I've written a pilot for a sitcom and I'm hoping to get some people together to film it soon. I can't say what it's about, but I can say that I'm pleased with the way the script turned out and I've been given really good feedback from those who have read it. If/when it is finally filmed, you will definitely see it appear in the film section. (It shouldn't be too long before that happens - I hope)
Top ALL of this off with the unbelievable fact that I've been hired at Square Enix as a tester. I'm so excited! I've wanted to work for Square since I was probably nine years old and now the dream is finally coming true. They unfortunately don't have a project for me to work on right now, so I'm sitting tight until June or July, but I DO have the job. Thanks to all of you who wished me luck in this endeavor it really paid off!
That's all for now, I think. I don't want to run on forever. I should mention that Clyde's been updating airplanekittybasketball.com (the site has been completely redesigned!) and there should be a few new reviews in the coming days. I know he's been meaning to post his review of Juno for a while and he may even be dropping a couple of game reviews finally. Check it out!
Keywords: Danny's Right, Videogames, Upright Citizens Brigade, UCB, Improv, Square Enix, airplanekittybasketball.com, and akb.- Shadow "Life's a game! I DRINK IT UP!" 64
Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 2008 -- Those Aren't Muskets Goes Huge - Meanwhile You Still Suck.
Hey everyone!
Remember way back in September(!!!) when I told you about that awesome online Sketch Comedy Group "Those Aren't Muskets"? Remember how I told you they were "a young group" who was "just starting", but you should watch their shit?
Well what do you know?
It turns out that recently TAM has hit it huge! It started just a couple weeks ago when Cracked.com featured one of their videos ("Internet Party") on their website. The video hit it big with the YouTube community and quickly climbed to the coveted #1 spot! The video which currently boasts the most hits for any TAM-made video (over 500,000) can be seen here or at The Official Those Aren't Muskets website.
If you missed "Internet Party" you may have caught another of their popular videos on G4. Recently G4 (the prime gamer/technology-oriented network) did a story on "Clitter!" (a faux commercial created by TAM) during their news program. If you don't have G4 or didn't catch the report, you can check it out here.
The fact of the matter is that these guys are only going to get bigger. The videos just keep getting better, the comedy tighter, and the vaginas brighter. So get on board, TAM is waiting for you! Subscribe and get constant updates!
And if that's not enough, you can still friend them on MySpace or become one of their facebook fans!
Keywords: Those Arent Muskets, Sketch Comedy, Video, YouTube, Awesome, and Funny.- Shadow "WATCH ALREADY!" 64
Thursday, Jan. 31st, 2008 -- Still Alive
Hello! Yes it's true. I'm still alive. After a small hiatus, I'm back and trying to be more on point as usual. Lately, I've been trying to get work in the acting world and with the WGA strike seemingly coming to a close, that may just happen yet.
I would also like to mention that I've signed up for classes at the Upright Citizen's Brigade theater in LA. I'll definitely be posting about my work there as time goes by and keep an eye out for my final class. Hopefully some of you can come check it out.
In other news I've been writing a lot more, and I've been getting some good feedback so hopefully I'll have some stuff for you to read soon.
When I haven't been writing I've been enjoying the new season of The Wire and playing The Orange Box on my PS3. Portal is amazing and if you haven't played it yet, you should. If you have played it, here's a little treat for you. It's not cake, but it just might do for now.
Okay! I'm off to create some more stimulating content! Oh, and if you haven't seen it already, there's an article I wrote about Guitar Hero 3, Rock Band, and this whole Harmonix/Activision fiasco in the thoughts section! Bye!
Keywords: Shadow64.net, and Portal.- Shadow "So Delicious and Moist" 64
Thursday, Jan. 3rd, 2008 -- Holy Hell or Closed on Account of Rain - Literally
So I know that I said that things would be coming out a lot quicker, but unfortunately the holidays got the best of me. Despite my attempts to leave Northern California, I am currently stuck here until next Monday due to an incoming rainstorm. Because of this it is difficult if not completely impossible for me to get any work done. As a result, I've been trying to do some long overdue reading and some photography, but I can only do so much post-production on the photos without being at my desk in LA. That being said, sadly I have to report that I don't have any real news this time around.
I suppose that the only thing that I can tell you is that 2008 is off to a fantastic start. I received my first rejection letter from McSweeney's online webzine, and hopefully it's the first of many - they were very polite and I plan to resubmit when I have something more fitting their style. I've also been working on a book which I plan to finish in the coming months - it's been going fairly smoothly and hopefully it will continue to do so.
Other than that, I recently completed my first corporate website for the wonderful folks over at Castro & Associates in Los Angeles. You can view the website at http://www.defectlaw.com and hopefully if you ever need the services of a construction defect attorney, you'll go there. I can speak from experience, these guys know their stuff.
A couple more weeks of nothing here while I set up some other websites (yay design work!) and settle back in to LA life for a bit. I know it's not what I said would happen, but it's a new year yet, so let's try to keep on good terms.
Keywords: shadow64.net, defectlaw.com, web design, and new year's.- Shadow "There's a storm a comin'." 64