SD Comic Con - The Guild, Dr Horrible and Shenanigans!

San Diego Comic Con is on this week!

And once again I will be attending via the Internet. Sure, some people might say that stalking all the people I know who are going is a poor substitute for actually being there, but at least this way I don't have many scheduling nightmares and the kids get to eat this month! Last year I blogged on Whedonage about all the people I would queue up to see if I were there Part 1 and Part 2. The list hasn't changed that much, with a few additions, perhaps.

For all us unfortunates not able to be there here are some resources that might help:

Websites:

Tubefilter: a guide to all the webseries at SDCC including The Guild and Dr Horrible

Whedonage: all the Whedon-related happenings this year

The Guild: their guide to everything Guild-related

Guildies: Comic-Con'd!: Set up by Dani (@maxsummers), a collection of Guildies will be posting their reports from SDCC (I'm really excited about this!)

Twitterers:

@Crixlee Cricket Lee: co-presenter of A Fangirl's Guide podcast, girl gamer and Guild extra will be at CC, collecting interviews and giving away stickers

@egspoony Edgar Garcia: The Guild and Felicia's webmaster extraordinaire

@maxsummers Dani will be posting on the Guildies' site (can't wait for her to meet with Felicia!) and tweeting (I hope!)

@seanbecker some dude

@jaredhoy Chief Lighting Technician on The Guild and co-presenter of A Fangirl's Guide podcast will be interviewing and video blogging

@nathantamayo Guildie who will also be blogging on the Guildies' site

@FannishInc: Interviewer extraordinaire will be there

@danregal: expect more pics than you can wave a stick at!

@RobinInSeoul: a Whedonite of distinction!

@CapricaSeven: Jane Espenson, who will be there for the BSG panel

EDIT: @theguild: They will have a very special announcement for Guildies at CC on Thursday AM, so be sure you're following them (yes, even those of us not there want to know what's going on!)

@jul_weiss: Julianna Weiss, Editor of Pink Raygun is at CC and will be getting scoop on lots of geektastical wonders!

Video reporting

The lovely Jared Hoy has started a video blog about SDCC. Despite some misgivings about his co-host (and you'll understand why when you see who that is) I have high hopes for this:

If you know of anyone else or other sites that have SDCC information on them please let me know and I'll add them.

EDIT:

Jessica Stover (@JSto) will be representing Artemis Eternal at SDCC but in a different form to last year. All the details are on the Artemis Eternal website.

Shenanigans!

So what's all that about, then? Well, I have discovered some shocking news. News so shocking that it could set the Internet alight like hasn't been seen since the news of Guild Deficiency Syndrome broke or that loser Sean Becker was apparently sacked by the wonderful Felicia Day. It's so potentially devastating that I can barely bring myself to blog about it. But I know my duty. Stay tuned - the truth is out there!!!

The Guild plus IFightDragons: four videos and a podcast!

Sometimes the Internet is like a bus...

You wait for ages then four great videos arrive at once! Oh, wait - that's not really like a bus, is it? Unless it's a geek bus...Anyway! This morning on Twitter (I happening to have it open, it's not like I was looking to be distracted - stop judging me!) there was a series of wonderful events, the upshot of which was the watching of four new videos.

New 'Behind the Scenes' videos from The Guild Season 2

@geekyfanboy tweeted this morning that there were two new videos out: 'Meet the Characters' and 'Meet the Extras'. And he should know since he since he edited the 'Meet the Extras' video! They are available from MSN video and Xbox marketplace. Or you could watch them from here:

The Guild Meet the Characters 

The Guild Meet the Extras 

Both are excellent and the 'Extras' video hosts a plethora of familiar names whom you can follow on Twitter: @Crixlee @DerekHousman @ZackFinfrock @Ryon_D @BrettRegister@lawrencedenes @egspoony @Hygena @nikhaiku

A new Guild Fan Vid!

And then Kenny (@geekyfanboy) did it again and linked to a new Fan Vid by Jared Cicon (@JaredCicon) in which he....well watch and find out! It's very funny!

And then...another fan vid, but this time for IFightDragons

My good friend, Dani (@maxsummers), is a dab hand at editing and she has created a fan video for the new Internet sensations IFightDragons (@IFightDragons, naturally enough!). Their brand of guitar-based greatness that is "Heads up, Hearts down" has been wonderfully animated. Enjoy!

And finally - a podcast! Or two....

I'm sure you're already subscribed to the 'Knights of The Guild' podcast (if not - why not?). They have interviews, news and the inside track on all the cast and crew of The Guild. Another great feature is that they interview fans - and I'm going to be interviewed for the next show! I'm really pleased to have been asked and I'm really looking forward to it - thank you for asking me :)

Or two...

And I have some news. Yes, I've not been blogging here much. This is a temporary hiatus because I've been even more super-busy than normal, and I have an announcement. Next Monday I'll be launching  a podcast of my own! Whooo! Seriously - I'm so stoked about this. I've been vigorously editing my book, 'Turning Left at Albuquerque'. I had toyed with the idea of podcasting like Scott Sigler and Sethharwood and all the other great podcaster/writers. So, you'll be able to hear the first five chapters over the next 5 weeks, with an omnibus at the end. The feedback we've had so far has been really good and I hope you'll enjoy it. I've put up a promo on the podcast website. Expect more content there soon! But I wanted to share it (couldn't keep a lid on it anymore!) with you now. So then....Comments? Questions?

Do you want to talk to Zaboo?

Of course you do!

Well it's your lucky today because Sandeep Parikh (creator of the Streamy-nominated Legend of Neil, who also plays Zaboo in The Guild) and Tony Janning (who plays Neil in the Legend of Neil) are both guests in the new online radio show "Fangirl's Guide to..." TONIGHT!

And your hosts are....

Cricket Lee and Jared Hoy, two wonderful Guildies. The new show is going to cover all manner of fandom but they kick off tonight with a great opportunity to ask those searching questions you've always wanted to ask. Like how much of a zombie is Zaboo, did Neil ever play Zelda, and if he did how much did he enjoy the 'graphics', and how weird is it to direct Felicia Day? This show is LIVE on LATalkRadio.com. You can be part of it by sending in questions via Twitter to @FanGirlsGuide and using Skype 'LATalkRadio' or calling (323) 203 - 0815. I'll see you there!

Cricket Lee, Felicia Day, The Streamys and Whedonage

Firstly: did you meet Cricket yet?

Cricket Lee was kind enough to let me interview her about her experiences as an extra on The Guild set. I have posted the edited version of this on Whedonage along with some background biography. (It was especially kind of her because this was the second time. I had mucho trouble with the first one because iMovie would not import it correctly - so thank you Cricket!). I first met Cricket on the WatchTheGuild.com community site after the Dr Horrible screening last year and she shared her experiences about that on another blog post. But it was brilliant actually talking to her via Skype. Because YouTube only allows videos of 100 megs/less than 10 mins I had to edit it down quite a bit. But if you'd like to hear some more then Cricket has uploaded another part of it where she talks about Joss at the Dr Horrible screening - it's a funny story!

The 'People's Choice' Streamys are announced...

...and my blog post about my choices was a 'very Honorable Runner-up'. Cool! Unfortunately I didn't win the tickets for the Awards Ceremony (that honour goes to Ben Shult from St. Timmy Productions) but it's good to know that my hit rate of 4/10 (The Guild, Dr Horrible, After Judgement and Legend of Neil) and wasn't too bad. And now - have you voted today yet? You can vote once every day up until the 28th March for your favourite so if you love more than one special webseries you can alternate your votes. Just remember to vote every day! Even though I won't be there at the Awards, I'll be watching the Live Feed. To me, this is much more exciting than the Oscars! I've followed many of these people for a while now and to see them honoured in the Streamys Awards is a huge thrill.

Felicia Day: new media guru?

After appearing at the SXSW 2009 and then in Improv again last night, where else might you find Felicia this year? She blogged recently about her appearances in 2009 and the fact they are going to be limited this year due to the heavy commitments she has. But she and The Guild will be at San Diego Comic Con in July and Felicia will also be at the Starfury Con in England in April. And what is she doing in the meantime? Writing Season 3 of The Guild, working on other projects such as an upcoming Machinima production and making guest speaker appearances such as the one she will be making at the 'Future of Television West'. It is heartening to see that Felicia is being asked to speak at such events because it shows that web shows, and the people who create them, are being taken seriously. 

Dr Horrible, The Guild and Contagious

I'm sure you know this already but just in case... 

The Dr Horrible DVD is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com. And the great news is that there have been so many pre-orders already that the price has been reduced twice and is now $9.99. Please use this link to Amazon.com because if you do, Joss and co get a referral fee. You will also be able to view the original trailer and a sneaky-peek of the extras in the form of Neil Patrick Harris talking about Dr Horrible. And the even better news is that the CD is also available for pre-order at Amazon.com. Looks like it's going to be a Horrible Christmas...

The Guild Season 2 finishes filming

...very soon. As Felicia said in her recent interview (!) they are five days of filming to finish up Season 2. They have up to Episode 7 in the bag already and now they are completing the season. they started yesterday and they have had some special visitors to the set. Cricket Lee, who kindly gave us the great interview after she went to the Dr Horrible/The Guild Whedonopolis Halloween event, and Edgar Garcia, the 'Edgar of all trades' who is also Webmaster for WatchTheGuild.com and Felicia's website. Cricket is going to be an extra and hopefully we are going to see Edgar on the screen as well. With any luck, we will hear more from Cricket soon!

Soma, from the WatchTheGuild.com Community site, set up a group campaigning for Edgar to be on The Guild. Felicia has said how important Edgar is a number of times (although don't spread that around - his ego doesn't need to get any bigger) so this is a brilliant example of how doing something good can be rewarded. Not that Edgar asked for a reward, but it gives you a warm feeling to know that people appreciate what you do. I may have teared up when I realised he was going to be there...yes, I am soppy, so sue me!

News from the set

Well one thing is certain - no spoilers are going to be posted around! This is for two reasons: Felicia has said that she doesn't want any spoilers released and no-one wants to upset Felicia (remember my Kim Evey interview? You don't want to get on the wrong side of Felicia...). Seriously, though, I am very happy about this and I'm sure that the reason we haven't heard any rumours are that people respect what Felicia is doing and do not want to ruin it. In this cynical world that's a great thing. But we do know that Sandeep had an action-packed day yesterday. And we also know that Felicia, generous soul that she is, has passed her cold on. You might say she was Contagious...

News from the Sigler

And as if to help me with linking this eclectic post together, Scott Sigler has posted Episode 1 of 'Contagious' as a podcast today. Contagious is the follow-up to the supremely horrible 'Infected'. And by that I mean that 'Infected' was gory, suspenseful and full of horror. Contagious is due for release on December but, as with 'Infected', Scott is giving it all away, bit by delicious bit. But you'll be buying the book. Believe me, you'll be buying the book! Mr Sigler is a very fluffy bunny of a person (he loves people referring to him like that) and gets his kicks knowing that he is doing good works. Which is the only explanation that works when you consider that he is giving it all away on his site this Christmas! Yes, you can make your own deliciously spine-tingly gifts  courtesy of the Future Dark Overlord (tm). Get your arts-and-crafts hats on because here is all you need to create a DVD for your friends containing over 50 hours of unabridged audiobooks in MP3 format:

• EARTHCORE
• ANCESTOR
• THE ROOKIE
• NOCTURNAL Episodes 1-5
• BLOODCAST SEASON #1

How cool is that?! Go to his website and there are instructions and even a DVD insert and label designs (yes, you need to supply your own gluestick and blank DVDs, don't be a cheapskate!).

Whedonopolis presents: Dr Horrible and The Guild

Trick or Treat?

That’s what I was doing last night with my little one, and we had lots of fun (and candy). A few (hundred) miles away in LA there was a different kind of Halloween going on. Whedonopolis staged a charity of screening of both Dr Horrible and The Guild – and there were a few surprise guests in attendance! There is an account of the night by Hollywood Jane and there is a video on YouTube that is a little shaky but you can hear what’s being said and is well worth a watch.

Special report from Cricket Lee

I was lucky enough to meet someone online in The Guild chat today that was at the event last night. Cricket Lee is the writer/editor of the show "Can I Nail It" for a live streaming internet network called thestream.tv   She has uploaded some great event pictures to her profile on The Guild Community site which include descriptions and items from the goodie bags! Cricket also very kindly answered some questions about the night for all of us not able to attend:

[WoH] How did you get your ticket?

[CL] I had bought tickets a couple weeks ago but my friend Sean Becker (who is currently directing season 2 of The Guild) gave me his, so I donated mine to charity

[WoH] What was the buzz like before? 

[CL] People were excited and ready to go! When the first Dr Horrible episode came out for free, I went to iTunes asap, bought a season pass, and when the album came out I bought that, too. And there's just so much about The Guild that I love...I don't play WoW (more of a video game girl) but I dated a guy who did so I loved the veiled references and the keyboard speak.

[WoH] Did you see any of the stars of The Guild or Dr Horrible there? 

[CL] I DID! I saw Jeff Lewis, Felicia Day, Joss Whedon, and Nathan Fillion! Felicia came in disguise as a Luchador and Fillion as Ninja Ropes guy.

[WoH] Did you get to speak to any of them? 

[CL] NO, dang it. I stood 6 feet away from Jeff and Felicia in the lobby before everyone else was let in and I chickened out. I'm sure they're inundated with people everyday and would usually like a day to themselves. but next time, I'm gonna say hi!

[WoH] What was the high-point for you? 

[CL] EVERYTHING! but if I had to narrow it down I'd say three things:

1) seeing Felicia, Jeff, Joss, and Fillion.

2) knowing that a really good charity is getting some much needed help. all in all I donated about 50 bucks. Wanna check out the charity? www.PATHVentures.org

3) I won a 25 dollar gifty to Golden Apple comics

[WoH] Did people sing along? 

[CL] (They) sang, quoted lines, even hand/facial gestures...myself included! it really could be the new Rocky Horror for the sci-fi/gamer set. If they did it once a month, I'd go everytime. It was so awesome to be among like minded people and we could all be our hip, weird, nerdy selves and no one cared because they were singing/reciting lines just as loud or louder than the next person!

[WoH] Were people dressed up?

[CL]ABSOLUTELY. I came as a Jedi. I saw the Bad Horse Chorus, a girl dressed as Dr Horrible in red, quite a few Dr H's in white, a couple of Penny's, couple Guild members, oh man...SO many costumes! One of the Dr H writers came as Kurt Cobain and was DEAD on.

[WoH] What was in the goodie-bags? 

[CL] It was called Dr Horrible's Sing Along Bag and there were props to be used during the film which included little lace curtains, a penny, and a Bad Horse finger puppet.

You can find out more about Cricket on The Guild Community site and her MySpace account.

Thank you for answering the questions and sharing your pictures Cricket!