@ Best Destiny

Call for Entries! Ottawa International Animation Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:33:00 +0000

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is pleased to announce its worldwide call for entries for its 2012 festival, taking place September 19 to 23 in Canada’s National Capital Region -- Ottawa!

Animators are invited to submit their recent work into five major categories including: Independent short films, feature films, commissioned films (TV series, commercials, music videos and video game animation) student films and films made for children.

The OIAF is recognized as one of the world’s most competitive film festivals, receiving more than 2,000 entries annually. The Festival’s selection committee chooses approximately 150 films for competition and out-of-competition showcase screenings.

The Festival’s international jury: Barry Purves (England), Hisko Hulsing (Holland), Izabela Rieben (Switzerland), Mike Fallows (Canada), J.J. Sedelmaier (USA) and Sarah Muller (England) will review films in competition. Jury members will join the audience during screenings throughout the Festival and present the final awards at the closing ceremonies.

The OIAF is also introducing a new category for Non-Gameplay Animation, the first of its kind at any animation festival. Examples of non-gameplay animation include cinematic cut scenes that help advance a game's plot and trailers previewing an upcoming release.

"Since the mid-1990s, we've been trying to find a way to seamlessly integrate videogame animation into OIAF competitions, ” says Festival artistic director Chris Robinson. “We found that the best way for us to acknowledge the outstanding work being done in gameplay animation was by encouraging the submission of non-game play components.”

A new award for Best Canadian Student Animation Film, celebrating the work of emerging filmmakers and the wealth of up-and-coming Canadian talent, will also be introduced. Canadian student films in competition and showcase will be eligible for this award.

All online entry forms for this year’s competition must be received by May 18. The deadline for preview DVDs is June 1. There is no entry fee.

For more information about this year’s Festival, as well as the online entry form, visit the OIAF website at www.animationfestival.ca. Questions about submitting a film may be sent to entries@animationfestival.ca or made by telephone at 613-232-8769.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub and attracting more than 28,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.

For more information, visit the OIAF website at: www.animationfestival.ca.

Happy New Year from Janet Hetherington & Ronn Sutton

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:38:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

It was a busy year in 2011. Janet Hetherington was working on new screenplays, taking screenwriting courses with Screenwriters Online, and seeing the her short script the House on Arch Lane come to life from Germany's StoneHope Entertainment.

Speaking of the House on Arch Lane, please take the time to vote in support of this film with your "like" so it can make the cut for the Fear Fête Horror Film Festival in Baton Rouge, Lousiana in October 2012.

But Janet hasn't forgotten her comic book creative roots. Artist Ronn Sutton is busy drawing the new Honey West / Kolchak The Night Stalker crossover event book for Moonstone Publications. The script is by Janet, who had a blast writing this story featuring two iconic TV characters.

Set in the 1970s, Honey is a seasoned private investigator while Kolchak is still earning his reporter chops, and the two are forced to team up to solve the mystery of a missing girl. When they discover a cult is involved, Kolchak’s radar picks up hints of the supernatural – but Kolchak is not quite willing to believe it. Ronn is pencilling and inking the book, which is due out in 2012.

Meanwhile, Ronn’s issue of Honey West #5 (the wrap-up to the "Murder on Mars" three-issue storyline by Elaine Lee) has been resolicited and will be coming out in early 2012. Get your comic shop to order one!

Also look for a new art from Ronn in the 1000 Ways to Die graphic novel trade paperback from Zenescope (based on the popular Spike TV television show).

Ronn illustrated a short story for the anthology (due out in 2012). Talk to your comic shop to order or check here for the Amazon listing

Happy Holidays from Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 01:22:00 +0000

Wishing you a happy and creative holiday!

Season's Greetings from Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington

The top art is Honey West by Ronn Sutton.

The middle art is Elvira by Ronn Sutton.

The bottom art is Destine from Eternal Romance by Janet Hetherington.

Click, Vote, Support the Canadian Toy Testing Council Aviva Fund application

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:07:00 +0000

Can you please help an important cause with the click of a mouse?

The Canadian Toy Testing Council is in critical need for funding. It is participating in the Aviva Fund challenge and needs to get as many votes (mouse clicks) as possible from now till Nov. 30 (inclusive) to make the semi-finals and qualify for funding.

Here's the link: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf13268

Please vote today, tomorrow and Wednesday. You can register separately to vote or through Facebook.

Thanks,

Janet

The Canadian Toy Testing Council needs your help!

"Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child." -- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Convention on the Rights of the Child. General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989.

Every year dedicated volunteers at the Canadian Toy Testing Council test hundreds of toys and books to help you, the Canadian public, choose toys to promote healthy development. We give the experts - our kids - the opportunity to tell you what toys have lasting play and what does not. Our award winning toys point Canadians directly to a short list of toys that have been winners with our kid testers, who have played with these toys in their own homes, for several weeks. There's something for everybody in our Children's Choice and Best Bet toys! www.toy-testing.org

The CTTC also provides invaluable feedback to manufacturers. We tell the manufacturers what kids and parents want and don't want. At the CTTC we believe we can affect POSITIVE CHANGE in the marketplace.

Due to funding constraints, the CTTC is dangerously close to closing its doors, just one year shy of its 60 year anniversary! We are appealing to the Aviva Community Fund to give the CTTC a boost to get us through the next year and give us precious time to secure a long-term funding partner to continue with the important work we do.

Now we need your help! In order to be considered for this fund, we need your VOTES! Only the top 30 ideas will move on to the semi-finals!

Here's what we need you to do:

1) Register on the Aviva Community Fund web site
Go to: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/search/list
Click on "Register" on the right hand side of the page, you can either register through Facebook or provide your email and a password. You will get an email almost immediately with a link.
Click on the link in your email and sign in.

2) VOTE, VOTE, VOTE for the CTTC:
Do a search for CTTC (on the right of the page)
And click "VOTE NOW".

You get one vote per day per idea and voting closes on Wednesday, November 30. So, make your vote count - vote EACH DAY!
To make it to the top 30 ideas in this round, we need to appeal to as many people as possible, so please reach out to others. The more people you reach, the more your voice counts!

A Giant Thanks to you for helping the Canadian Toy Testing Council celebrate its 60th anniversary!

Toys! Canadian Toy Testing Council Fall Sale November 20

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:38:00 +0000

Shop for great bargains on toys November 20

From my friends at the Canadian Toy Testing Council:

TOY SALE!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The Canadian Toy Testing Council is holding its annual fall Toy Sale on Sunday, November 20, 2011, from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Innovation Room, 3045 Baseline Road.
Entrance just beside Emergency at Tim Hortons.

Toys for children ranging from 0 months to 16 years. Up to 50% off, plus a chance to purchase this year’s award-winning toys.

Free parking located at the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre.

CASH & CARRY – CASH, VISA & MASTERCARD ONLY (NO INTERAC).

You are responsible to transport all toys purchased.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILDREN. You can surprise them later!

Canadian Toy Testing Council announces 2012 award-winning toys

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:36:00 +0000

On November 8, 2011, the Canadian Toy Testing Council announced its 2012 Children's Choice and Best Bet award-winning toys. These award winners are selected from the best of the top-rated three-star toys that the Council has tested. Each toy is evaluated in a home environment by volunteer families -- kids -- and they know what they like!

The CTTC is a non-profit, charitable organization. Make a donation today to keep the toy program running. You can visit the website at http://www.toy-testing.org/ or send directly via PayPal to: toyappeal@gmail.com.

Children's Choice (presented by age):

Play ’n Scoot Pirate Ship, Little Tikes, 1.5-3 years
Dr. Seuss – What’s in the Cat’s Hat, I Can Do That! Games, 3+ years
Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel, Educational Insights, 3+ years
LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet, LeapFrog, 4-9 years
Saila, Maplelea Girl & accessories, Avonlea Traditions, 6+ years
Jewelry Boutique, Crayola, 6+ years
Glow Book, Crayola, 6+ years
Snap Circuits Jr., Elenco Electronics, 8+ years
Nerf DART TAG Swarmfire, Hasbro, 8+ years
Mythbusters Hit the Target! Trivia Game, ZimZala Games, 10+ years

Best Bet (presented by age):

Northern Lights Soother, Lamaze, 0+ years
Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo, Fisher-Price, 18 months – 5 years
Wheelies Play ’n Go Construction Site (Little People), Fisher-Price, 1.5–3.5 years
Count & Scan Shopper, LeapFrog, 2+ years
Remote Racer Smart Car, VTech, 2-5 years
Chuggington Double Decker Roundhouse plus two trains, Learning Curve, 3+ years
Chuggington Over & Under Starter Set (with Clock Tower), Learning Curve, 3+ years
Richard Scarry’s Busytown Busy, Busy Airport, I Can Do That! Games, 4+ years
KidiZoom Camera, VTech, 3-8 years
Brilliant Creations Genius Junior, VTech, 4-7 years
Leapster Explorer, LeapFrog, 4–9 years
Littlest Pet Shop Magic Motion Tree House, Hasbro Canada, 4+ years
Buck, Buck, Moose! Educational Insights, 4+ years
uKloo Early Reader Treasure Hunt Game, uKloo Kids Inc., 4+ years
Perplexus Rookie, Perplexus, LLC (PlaSmart Inc), 5+ years
Galapa Go! MJgames, 5+ years
Golden Gate, Blue Orange Games, 7+ years
Rock Fashion Studio, SmartLab, 7+ years
Interior Design Light Box Studio Set, Fashion Angels, 8+ years
Totally Gross! The Game of Science, University Games, 8+ years
Alien Mothership, Lego, 8-14 years
Star Wars Bounty Hunter Assault Gunship, Lego, 8–14 years
Sketch It! Blue Orange Games, 9+ years
Perplexus Epic, Busy Life LLC, 10+ years
PathWords, ThinkFun, 12+ years

Now go and play!

Canadian Toy Testing Council announces 2012 Great Books awards

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:27:00 +0000

On November 8, 2011, the Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) announced its 2012 Great Books award-winning books. Each book is evaluated by volunteer families -- kids -- in a home environment. The CTTC evaluates both English and French books by Canadian authors and publishers.

The CTTC is a non-profit, charitable organization. Make a donation today to keep the book program running. You can visit the website at http://www.toy-testing.org/ or send directly via PayPal to: toyappeal@gmail.com.

Great Books 2012 (presented by age):

Not a Baby Anymore! Written by Jorge Uzon. Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-88899-986-3. Ages 1+.
The Loud Book, Written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Renata Liwska. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Thomas Allen & Son, 2011. ISBN 978-0-547-39008-6. Ages 2-5.
Le meilleur endroit / Le pire endroit, Written by Andrée Poulin and illustrated by Philippe Beha. Éditions Imagine, 2011. ISBN 978-2-89608-105-9. Ages 2-6.
A Night on the Town, Written and illustrated by Caroline Merola. Tundra Books, 2010. ISBN 978-1-77049-200-4. Ages 3-6.
Merci Mister Dash! Written by Monica Kulling and illustrated by Esperança Melo. Tundra Books, 2011. ISBN 978-0-88776-964-1. Ages 3-6.
Kiss Me! (I’m a Prince!) Written by Heather McLeod and illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan.Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2010. ISBN 978-1-55455-161-3. Ages 3+.
It’s Not About the Apple! Written by Veronika Martenova Charles and illustrated by David Parkins. Tundra Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0-88776-955-9. Ages 5-8.
Magalie : Lance et compte! Written by Yvan DeMuy and illustrated by Claude Thivierge. Éditions Michel Quintin, 2010. ISBN 978-2-89435-495-7. Ages 6-9.
Savais-tu? Les Corneilles, Written by Alain M. Bergeron, Michel Quintin and Sampar and illustrated by Sampar. Éditions Michel Quintin, 2010. ISBN 978-2-8945-453-7. Ages 7+.
Gunner: Hurricane Horse, Written by Judy Anderson and illustrated by David Parkins. Tundra Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0-88776-905-4. Ages 8-10.

Give the gift of reading!

Gotcha by the short scares: Killer 63 on October 22 with The House on Arch Lane

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Ottawa's Killer 63 fear fest is taking place at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa, Canada, on October 22 at 11:30 pm.

One of the films being screened is The House on Arch Lane (with script story credit by Janet Hetherington [me]).

In no particular order, here is the line-up (with an addition or two to come) for the sixth annual Killer 63 event at the Mayfair Theatre:

KILLER63 year VI

Victor Perpetual – Ray Besharah

Employee of the Month – Olivier Beguin

She's Not Gone – Randy Smith

Lone Fish - Zebrasseires music video – Luca F

The Mask of James Henry – Steve Villeneuve

The House on Arch Lane – Alexander Steinhoff / Alexander De Lukowicz
(See the teaser for The House on Arch Lane on YouTube.)

Good Samaritan – Jeff Campbell

Six Minutes – Ralph Gethings

Profile of a Killer – Chris Chitaroni

Happy Fuzzy Things – Matt Fincer

Emily – James Campbell

Games Night – Fiona Noakes / Islam Balbaa

Interestingly enough, I worked with Fiona Noakes on the short SF film M-Theory.

And I was background in her Bitter State video.

Small world!

Come to the Mayfair and see these films... they'll get you by the short scares!

The House on Arch Lane to screen at Killer 63 fest October 22

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Killer news! The Mayfair Theatre screened the teaser for THE HOUSE ON ARCH LANE, my short horror thriller (for which I have script story credit), on October 2, 2011.

Now the Mayfair is going to screen the entire short film on October 22 as part of its KILLER 63 horror fest.

Movie lovers, come to the Mayfair at 11:30 pm and support THE HOUSE ON ARCH LANE and other Ottawa filmmakers.

Halloween thrills are coming early, so get your chills on at the Mayfair on October 22!

October 2 @ Mayfair: Joss Whedon & Janet Hetherington double bill (sort of)

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:47:00 +0000

Fans of Joss Whedon's Firefly call themselves Browncoats, and on October 2, 2011, Ottawa's Mayfair Theatre will be home to a special Ottawa Browncoats charity event and screening of Serenity, the Firefly feature.

As part of this event, Ottawa indie filmmakers have been invited to show their trailers or teasers. The teaser for the short thriller The House on Arch Lane, with script story by Ottawa-based writer Janet Hetherington (me!) and produced by Germany's StoneHope Entertainment, was selected to be one of the trailers to be screened.

How cool is it to have a double bill (sort of) with Joss Whedon? Well, as one t-shirt proclaimed at Montreal Comic-Con this year, "Joss Whedon is my master now!" Also at Montreal Comic-Con, James Marsters of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer fame signed a Spike action figure for me

James Marsters autographs at Montreal Comic-Con

To get your Joss Whedon fix, come to the Mayfair on Sunday and take part in the festivities. Here's a bit more about what's going on:

October 2, 2011
Mayfair Theatre
1074 Bank St. Ottawa, Ontario
Doors open at 12:00 noon – or as close to that as possible!

The afternoon event runs to about 4:30 / 5 p.m. with loads of fun, including:

    * Costume Contest with prizes for Best Female, Best Male, Best Villain
    * Silent auctions for 4 autographed 8x10 prints
    * Silent auction for the Jayne Hat Brigade donated items
    * Screening of the film Serenity
    * Door prizes, raffles, and so much shiny fun you’ll just have to come and see!

$12 advance donation gets you a collectible button that doubles as admission to the event. They will also be available on October 2 for only $15 at the door.

Local Browncoats note their “Let’s be Bad Guys” independent Ottawa Serenity Charity Screening will be an Ottawa-centric event – allowing them to give more to local charity and encourage more local businesses, artists and folks.

This year, the charities are both Equality Now and local charity iSisters Technology Mentoring Inc.

Day Three at Fan Expo Canada: Bananas

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:12:00 +0000

Donkey Kong

Just when you thought it couldn't get any busier at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, Saturday's crowd was bigger than ever. There was talk floating around that Fan Expo is now the second largest convention in North America, behind Comic-Con International in San Diego.

Fear Agent critiques Ronn's art

Fans were out in full force and colourful costumes. Ronn and I were kept at our table doing commissions and chatting with folk, and we got a surprise visit from Fear Agent, a character Ronn drew. Ronn did a sketch of the fellow, who bought an Excerpts sketchbook.

We also got an unexpected visit from Ronn's nephew Daryl and pals. Daryl was amazed at all the character outfits and scored a mint Transformers toy.

Krissy as Wonder Woman

Lots of shopping going on, and I picked up a Big Bang Theory shirt with Sheldon, Leonard, Raj and Howard presented like a Beatles cover. Geeky cool. I also got a "free" G4 T-shirt for becoming G4's friend on Facebook.

Sunday will be a short day for us because we have to catch our Porter flight back to Ottawa. Some come on by at 10 am and say hi!

Day Two at Fan Expo Canada: Networking

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:12:00 +0000

Ronn and Cap

Day 2 at Fan Expo Canada was another busy one, meeting old friends and making new ones. Ronn found a new client in Captain America, aka Scott, who was pleased with his purchase of Honey West comics.

In addition to selling art and copies of ny graphic novel, Eternally Yours: Illustrated Stories of Eternal Romance, I chatted with Lydia from http://www.ottawahorror.com/, who was exhibiting as part of the show's Festival of Fear, as well as Sorcerer's Children creator Alison Williams, who has new editions of her graphic novels out. Visit Alison in artist's alley at the show.

Alison and Ajaye Williams

I also did some interviews with Image creators Sam Sarkar (The Vault), Jeff Cahn (Red Spike), Owen Wiseman and Nam Kim (Samurai's Blood) and Viktor Kalvachev (Blue Estate, Pherone). Watch for the interviews to appear on http://www.popcultureaddict.com/.

After a long day, Ronn and I went to dinner with artists Leonard Kirk and Dave Ross, along with Dave's wife Judi. A full day -- and today (Saturday) promises to be even more bananas!

Be sure to see Ronn and me at PO71AB, along the back wall at Fan Expo Canada. We have some cool stuff to show you.

Day One at Fan Expo Canada: Busy!

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:24:00 +0000

August 25 (Day 1) at Fan Expo Canada proved to be busy for baoth Ronn Sutton and me. This was the first time for an expanded show, and there was brisk, but conmfortable traffic. Lots of people dropped by to chat and book commissions.

Film producer Hope Nicholson requested art of Nelvana of the Northern Lights from both Ronn and me. She is working on a film about untold stories of Canadian superheroes.

Other happy customers included Sam, who got a Nancy Drew commission and original comic art from Ronn, and Kayleigh, who got an original Rogue art commission from Janet.

Now, on to Day 2 of the show!

See Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington at Fan Expo Canada!

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:12:00 +0000

Original Supergirl art by Janet Hetherington

Supergirl would fly there, and so are we!

Ronn Sutton and I are flying Porter Airlines to Toronto for Fan Expo Canada, the big comics, horror, science fiction, gaming and anime mash-up that starts Thursday, August 25 and runs through Sunday, August 28, 2011.

It's taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and Ronn and I are looking forward to seeing you at our table, the delightfully named PO71A and PO71B.

If you visit the website or pick up a program book at the show, there's a map that will lead to treasure... all the great original art at our table!

Excerpts sketchbook

Ronn still has some original Elvira, Mistress of the Dark comic book pages, and comics, as well as new original Honey West comic book pages. And don't forget his brand-new Excerpts sketchbook, which features a different original rough bound into each copy.

Poison Ivy original art by Janet Hetherington

I'll have Eternal Romance comics, t-shirts, mouse pads and new original artwork for this show... like this enticing Poison Ivy.

And remember, Ronn and I do commissions, so book yours and get something really unique. If you have a specific character in mind, please provide reference.

Looking forward to a fun, packed weekend and seeing y'all there!

Women of Wonder Day 2011 means great art for a great cause

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:48:00 +0000

Logo designed and donated by Tom Orzechowski. Special Thanks for Michael Lovitz.

Andy Mangels has refreshed his successful Wonder Woman Day events with this year's Women of Wonder Day 2011, taking place in three US cities on October 30, 2011. The Women of Wonder Day website says that the heroic charity event returns with a new name and an expanded mission.

From 2006-2010, five Wonder Woman Day events raised over $110,000 for domestic violence charity programs. The Women of Wonder Day will do the same in three cities: Portland, Oregon; Flemington, New Jersey; and San Antonio, Texas.

Planned activities include art and collectible auctions, signings by guest creators and costumed characters.

Women of Wonder art will feature different heroic women

Mangels is seeking donations of artwork, collectibles, and autographed items featuring any Women of Wonder, such as Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, She-Hulk, Storm, Michonne from Walking Dead, Witchblade, Leetah from ElfQuest, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ripley from Aliens, Marge Simpson, Princess Leia, Sookie Stackhouse, Hermione Granger, or others. Any heroic woman who protects the innocent is welcome.

Janet Hetherington is contributing artwork for all three venues.

The deadline to contribute is October 1, 2011. For more information and to download a contributor submission form, visit the Women of Wonder website.

100% of all monies raised goes to the 501(c)3 tax deductible charities.

Women of Wonder is a registered trademark of Andy Mangels and is used by these events without cost. All rights reserved.

Brent Anderson (Astro City, Green Lantern) artwork stolen in San Diego

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Artist and animator Scott Shaw reports via Facebook that comic book artist Brent Anderson had original artwork stolen in San Diego this year.

Collectors of original comic art should be aware of and on the lookout for these stolen pages.

Scott writes, "Brent Anderson had a lot of art stolen in San Diego. His car was broken into at the San Diego Zoo and the following original art was stolen: 50 pages from Astro City Vols. 1 & 2 & Local Heroes; AC: Dark Age Books 1 (#s 1-4), 2 (#s 1-4) & 3 (#s 1-4) (50 pages). Green Lantern and Rising Stars artwork was stolen as well. Please share this to as many venues as possible, to get the thief caught and the art returned."

If you become aware of any of Brent Anderson's missing art being offered for sale, call Detective Christopher Tews (619-744-9521) or the San Diego Police Department Central Division (619-744-9500) and tell them you have a lead on case #11-029140. Also, email: kneedeep@sonic.net

For a more complete list of the stolen pages, visit Brent Anderson's website.

Simon Pegg fights A Fantastic Fear of Everything

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:19:00 +0000

Indomina Group Vice Chairman and CEO Jasbinder Singh Mann announced today (July 27, 2011) that The Indomina Group, a U.S. and Dominican Republic-based producer and distributor of film, TV and transmedia content, has acquired North American distribution rights to the comedy A Fantastic Fear of Everything, starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and produced by Keel Films.

A Fantastic Fear of Everything is written and directed by musician-turned-filmmaker Crispian Mills, marking his feature debut. He is joined by co-director and animator Chris Hopewell as part of a collaboration with Collision Films, whose award-winning work includes Radiohead’s There There and The Killers’ Smile Like You Mean It. The film is produced by Geraldine Patten.

In the film, Jack (Simon Pegg) is a children’s author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered. When Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent and a mysterious Hollywood executive takes a sudden and inexplicable interest in his script, what should be his ‘big break’ rapidly turns into his ‘big breakdown,’ as Jack is forced to confront his worst demons--among them his love life, his laundry and the origin of all fear.

Starring Simon Pegg as Jack, and introducing Alan Drake, A Fantastic Fear of Everything also stars Amara Karan (The Darjeeling Limited), Clare Higgins (Hellraiser) and Sheridan Smith (Hysteria).

Currently being shot at Shepperton Studios in London, the film will be released in the U.S. through Indomina’s North American distribution division, Indomina Releasing. Universal Pictures will release the film in the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. Indomina’s international sales division will handle sales for all other territories. Indomina is also providing production financing.

A Fantastic Fear of Everything is the first film to receive backing from Pinewood Films, a new finance initiative for small-budget independent British films by the Pinewood Studios Group.

Torchwood: Miracle Day hits TV screens July 8 & 9

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:25:00 +0000

What would the world be like if nobody dies? STARZ presents the original series premiere of Torchwood: Miracle Day entitled ‘The New World’ in the U.S. on Friday, July 8, 2011, at 10 pm EST/PST. The show premieres on Space in Canada on Saturday, July 9, at 9 pm EST.

The one-hour, 10-part series features Torchwood alumni John Barrowman (Capt. Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) along with Mekhi Phifer (Rex Matheson), Bill Pullman (Oswald Danes) and, in an extended guest role, Lauren Ambrose (Jilly Kitzinger).

Torchwood: Miracle Day begins with a day when nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep aging -- they get hurt and sick -- but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people, resources are finite. It's said that in four month's time, the human race will cease to be viable.

But this can't be a natural occurrence - someone's got to be behind it. It's a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking "What is Torchwood?," he's drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

STARZ’s newest original series is a re-imagining of the U.K. show, which originally debuted in 2006 on BBC One. The show's original creator, writer/producer Russell T Davies, serves as executive producer along with BBC Worldwide Productions' SVP Julie Gardner, with Davies also serving as show-runner. Torchwood: Miracle Day is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for Starz, BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Worldwide.

Follow the link below for more behind-the-scenes footage from Torchwood: Miracle Day:

http://assets.starz.com/starzplayer/play.html?url=rtmp://cp86673.edgefcs.net/ondemand/mp4:flash/flash/26761_what_is_miracle_day_fcp_2398_cf_0617_final_1308379776.mp4

Critters at Hog's Back Park

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:23:00 +0000

Please sir, may I have some more?

Happy Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July to all our friends enjoying the long holiday weekend!

Ronn Sutton and I went to freshly reopened Hog's Back Park in Ottawa on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and a variety of hungry critters came a-running to taste the peanuts we brought.

Mmmmm.... peanuts!

The usual culprits -- chipmunks and squirrels -- made numerous trips to get peanuts. A large crow kept careful watch from an overhead branch. While we didn't see any groundhogs, we did get a visit from a raccoon, who also seemed to like eating peanuts.

This was a surprise for us, because the last time we were at Hog's Back Park, we saw another raccoon. That one mot only refused to eat the peanut we offered, it looked at us with disdain and stomped on it instead. It then proceeded to try to get into a garbage can, Better pickings, I suppose.

Picnic for all at Hogs Back Park

The critters seemed quite happy with the peanuts today!

Evil Farm Children and Gerry Alvarez grease up Ottawa's Clocktower Brew Pub June 25

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:24:00 +0000

Local Ottawa surf/punkabilly/garage-rock deviants Evil Farm Children will be capping off a very busy month with a hometown show on June 25 at the Clocktower Brew Pub, along with a very special guest: Canadian garage rock icon Gerry Alvarez, with The Gerry Alvarez Odyssey (http://www.myspace.com/thegerryalvarezodyssey).

Alvarez, one of the founding members of the legendary 1980s Montreal garage band The Gruesomes, will be performing songs from his latest mid-60s Revolver-era Beatles inspired CD, “Omega Tea Time” (now available on Ricochet Sound Recordings) with his latest solo project, The Gerry Alvarez Odyssey.

Evil Farm Children will be fresh from a series of out-of-town shows throughout the month of June, including shows in Toronto and Hamilton, and a showcase at the prestigious NXNE Festival in Toronto on Friday, June 17 at Mitzi’s Sister on Queen Street.

Greasy, high-octane, nitro-driven rock and roll delivered live with a one two sucker punch.

Evil Farm Children w/ special guests The Gerry Alvarez Odyssey

9:00 PM

Saturday June 25

The Clocktower Brew Pub

575 Bank Street

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

www.sonicbids.com/EvilFarmChildren

www.myspace.com/evilfarmchildren

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2443823692

Down-home hospitality at Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Wonder Woman finds a home with Wonder Girl

The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (June 17, 18, and 19, 2011) proved to be a busy and fun show for me and Ronn Sutton (Honey West, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Fear Agent). We were both kept busy talking, doing commissions and talking about comics, TV and movie to the many fans who passed our tables. And a lot came by!

"The convention was terrific," Ronn agrees, saying, "We were seated in guest area. We each had a table to ourselves and in a bit of terrific synchronicity, Leonard Kirk was seated next to us and David Ross right across from us. Other comics guests included Neal Adams, Michael Golden, Tim Sale, Mike Mignola, Joe Jusko, etc. I had a nice conversation with Bo Hampton, whose work I've always liked. I was pleased to find out he knew some of my art, too. Movie star guests included William Shatner, Jonathan Frakes, Doug Bradley (Pinhead). Guest George Romero had to cancel out until next year."

Calgary luggage handlers

It was our first time attending this comic-con, and our first time in Calgary. We had an inkling that it was going to be an interesting weekend when we got off the plane at the Calgary airport and saw cool model displays at the baggage pick-up featuring realistic dinosaurs ripping up luggage.

Ronn comments about Calgary, "It was funny to see all the police officers walking around wearing cowboy hats as part of their uniform. There were sculptures everywhere. Not abstract stuff either. Lots of sculptures of lifesized cowboys on horses, etc. Great park benches supported with a wagon wheel on each end. I was surprised at the number of large art galleries and performance/dance theatres. Calgary is a big money town (oil)."

As for the show, we heard that the crowd was around 35,000. Maybe it was because it was Father's Day weekend, or maybe it was just Calgary, but there were lots of families (parents and kids) at the show, including a little Wonder Girl who bought a piece of my Wonder Woman art.

Gil is pleased with his Zatanna art

I did many commissions, like female heroines Zatanna and Batgirl. But I also did some fun animal-themed ones like Super-Monkey, My Little Pony (in high-heeled shoes) and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Darren displays his mighty shield

Ronn and I signed lots of souvenir books, but one of the oddest requests for me was to sign a Captain America shield that also boasted (real) celebrities like Jonathan Frakes. It's going to look great handing on the wall.

Ronn says, "The con staff were just terrific. They were constantly coming around handing out bottles of water to guests and bringing food." This was a relief but also very strategic, because it kept us at our tables!

Leonard Kirk and Liana K.

We went out to dinner after the show with friends and fellow comics pros Leonard Kirk (X-Factor), Dave Ross (Star Wars) and Dave's wife Judi. "Saturday night Judi wanted to go to Vietnamese restaurant," Ronn says. "What a comical time. The staff didn't have a clue what they were doing. Everybody was missing half their cutlery, and after they prepared our table half of us had plates and half didn't, including Dave Ross who got a saucer instead. The waiter came to table with dish he identified as "pork chops," which in fact was Judi's order of lemongrass chicken. Man, what a place. The food was good, though. We had a fun time. When we exited we noticed the name of the place was the 'T & A' Restaurant."

Speaking of which, there were plenty of fetching women dressed in costume at the comic-con, including TV personality Liana K., who scandalized Calgary police with her "faux nude" sci-fi gaming character costume.

Our ride back to the airport on Sunday night was also memorable. The convention was kind enough to provide a shuttle service for us -- and that turned out to be an adventure.

Ronn Sutton on the limo bus

"We're taken to the bus and the driver is there," Ronn recalls. "He's dressed in black cowboy hat and black tailored formal cowboy suit looking like a cross between Ronnie Hawkins and Santa Claus, with a big white beard and long white hair and huge rings on every finger. He ushers us on to bus. Holy cow! It's a limo inside! There are long couches, mirrored ceiling, a bar, hardwood floors, and blaring sound system. We sit almost half an hour because he's waiting for more people. Finally he says they've called for a smaller car to take us. As we get off bus, actors Adrienne Barbeau and John Amplas (Dawn of the Dead) show up. So it's back on the bus and he takes us out to airport."

So Calgary put on quite a convention. Lots of down-home hospitality and great people. Thanks, Calgary!

-- Janet Hetherington

Sketchbook by Ronn Sutton ready for Calgary Entertainment Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:27:00 +0000

With Calgary Entertainment Expo coming up June 17-19, Ronn Sutton (artist of Honey West, Elvira, Fear Agent and more) has put together a new souvenir sketchbook called EXCERPTS, featuring a wide variety of artwork.

Each copy of EXCERPTS will have an original art rough by Ronn bound into the sketchbook.

Ronn and I will also have comics and original art available at the show, and we will both be doing commissions. We're always happy to chat and discuss comics, movies and more. Free autographs.

Find us located at tables L09 and L10 at the BMO Centre. For more information on the Expo, visit its website.

Where to get your comics fix in Bermuda

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 15:32:00 +0000

Garan Madeiros and Ronn Sutton at the Comic Stop, Bermuda

Ronn Sutton and I went cruising in May on Holland America's Veendam ship from New York to Bermuda. This was a family cruise, with 14 of us on board. That assembly of relatives resulted in scenes straight out a Chevy Chase Vacation movie, including a land excursion that had us all wearing matching T-shirts sporting the logo "Grandma's Gang." I intend to write all the insanity into an exaggerated comedy screenplay.

Logline: An 80-year-old matriarch books her entire bickering family on a week-long cruise where they are forced to spend quality time together on a ship full of old people.

Sea turtles at an aquarium in St. George's

I do want to say that there were fun times. The food was plentiful and delicious (surf 'n turf, lobster bisque, all-hours pizza for Ronn); we saw sea turtles; I won a karaoke trophy after getting wasted on champagne cocktails; we went on a glass-bottom boat ride; and Ronn and I got our comics fix at the COMIC STOP comic book store in Hamilton, Bermuda.

What was really amazing is that we had met the owner Garan Madeiros before in Toronto, and had actually gone out to dinner with him along with our friend, comic book artist Dave Ross. Garan, who attended the Joe Kubert school, is also the creator of the Contract comic book. I got ahold of copies of those at the store, and Ronn gave Garan an issue of Honey West.

Scenic and sunny Bermuda

Garan frequents Comic-Con in New York, but the best way to meet him is to drop in to the COMIC STOP in Bermuda at the Emporium Building, 69 Front Street, Hamilton.

Tell him Ronn and Janet say "hello"!

First look at Walking Dead season 2 photo, season 1 toys

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:29:00 +0000

This week AMC released a "first look" photo from season 2 of its critically acclaimed original drama, The Walking Dead, based on the popular comic book series created by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore.

The TV show is currently in production in the greater Atlanta area. The hit TV series' second season includes 13 episodes, and premieres this fall.

Executive Producer/Writer/Director Frank Darabont says, "At this moment, I'm standing on a stretch of post-apocalypse interstate in Georgia, littered with abandoned cars and blessing my good luck to be reunited with our amazing cast, and our fantastic directors and crew. Across the board, there are none better. It's great to be shooting again. I think we've embarked on a great season."

For additional information and photos on The Walking Dead season two, visit www.amctv.com.

The AMC website also offers a "first look"at McFarlane Toys' Daryl, Zombie Walker and Zombie Biter action figures. McFarlane Toys is creating four action figures from season 1 of The Walking Dead, which will go on sale this November.

M-Theory May 26 at the Mayfair Ottawa

noreply@blogger.com (Best Destiny) — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:27:00 +0000

The "Tickle Me Ottawa" film Festival is rockin' the Mayfair Theatre (with laughter) at 7 pm tonight (May 26, 2011)!

The audience will pick the winners, so join us at Ottawa's Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.). Tickets are available at the Mayfair Theatre box office ($6 for members, $10 non-members, $7 seniors, $5 for children).
2011 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Slipping Sideways (JF Dufault, Dir.)
Deep-seated secrets are exposed during a typical family Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to a simple bar of soap, pent up emotions are unleashed, but will they be cleansed?

SNIP (Bill Lyle, Dir.)
An immature Paul faces a life changing event as his wife presses him to get a vasectomy. Plagued by fear, Paul's day and night dreams are haunted by the worst case scenarios. Finally, Paul takes a stand against the procedure only to be confronted and blackmailed into it by an unexpected foe.

Buon Giorno Sayonara (Karen Hope, Dir.)
A Japanese couple and an Italian couple witness each others arguments while on holiday at the English seaside. Although they can’t understand what’s being said, it’s clear to the Japanese woman (Kumiko), and the Italian man (Gherardo), that they’re both being taken for granted by their partners, who storm off, leaving Kumiko and Gherardo stranded together.

Labour Laws (James Glen, Dir.)

Labour Laws is a fun short film about a woman who returns to work after winning a court case for wrongful dismissal for being pregnant.

Breath of Fresh Air (Olesia Shewchuk, Dir.)
Travis (Andrew Fraser) wants to air a new side of himself to his flawless girlfriend, Amanda (Jessie Fraser). He's going to take their relationship to the next level… will this act rip them apart? In this cute romantic comedy short film, written by Brad Condon, directed by Olesia Shewchuk, one man's expectations pass through the ultimate test.

Emily's Sketchbook (Colin Gray, Dir.)
In this film within a film, Alex, a young writer, is busy trying to put the finishing touches on his latest romance story, 'Emily's Sketchbook' despite a serious case of writer's block and interruptions from an uncouth housemate. Unfortunately for Alex, Quinn, the leading man in his story has aspirations of being an action hero and continually tries to steer Alex's 'mushy, sissy' plot into an adventure packed melee. Alex must fight hard to keep his innocent love tale from being lost to a horde of pirates, ninjas, zombies, terrorists and irate gourmet chefs. However, the biggest surprise of all comes when leading lady Emily decides to take matters into her own hands.

Bugbaby (Rebecca Lorenne, Dir.)

Sammy Gregory is a 'special needs' infant - special in that he resembles a giant insect, and needs a constant supply of raw meat. His parents (Lara Fisher and Jared Martzell), are understandably at the end of their rope. They invite a social worker (Mink Stole) over to see if their baby can possibly be adopted to a more capable family. But when the social worker reveals herself to be more interested in punishing Sammy's parents than in helping anyone, little Sammy proves that he might be a valued member of the family after all.

The New Suited (Niels Beekes, Dir.)

is a pilot for a series about 'Suited'. Suited, along with Sarah and the E.R.I.C, are spies fighting the more modern criminals. Suited is chosen for this job because of his Lucky Hero Gene. This episode they take on Eugene. Eugene is a fantasy game addict that receives his powers in the real world and becomes crazed with it.

M-Theory

M-Theory (Lloyd Deane, Dir.)

Meet Neil Mundus. He’s a smooth talking, self-confident, chick magnet with a skyrocketing academic career and seems destined for greatness. Well...maybe in some parallel universe. The Neil Mundus who occupies this universe is a little more, err, challenged. But when pushed into a corner, even the worm turns. Just when this universe seems to be conspiring against him, Neil finds a way to turn the situation around. But making choices can have some unusual consequences in the realm of extra dimensions and M-Theory.