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Did I say Balticon? - Update: 02/24/08

We announce the winner of the Swag Contest, and Earl manages to say Balticon eleven times in under 90 seconds, without even trying. It's been a personal goal of his.

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Comments:

themindfantastic says:

To say I am floored by your production of Sacred Cow is to not even come close to the absolute amazement at its performance. It even one upped the original short story. This is definitely something I will be telling not just "One Friend" about. WOW. Thank you thank you thank you for this amazing production. Everything about it was beyond expectation on a logarithmic scale.

Commented on Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:00 PM

Josh says:

Oh my God (no pun intended), one word sums up this podcast in its entirety...Epic!

Commented on Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:00 PM

kvs says:

To be honest, I was disappointed. I waited for this for a month, only to have it delayed for a month. The hype was big about this supposed "big name" podcaster. Turns out he is (and this is not an affront to him) a middling sort of podcaster. But hey, whatever. Then came the big promise of a story by this guy. Okay. I'm stupid, I bite again. The story is interesting enough but it left too much open. Yeah, I know, 30 mins. is a short time to tell a story fully. However, Serling, whom you are obviously (tring) to imitate managed it and I would expect the same of anyone trying to do this. However, you didn't come close. You tried, you failed. Its as simple as that. Sorry to be critical but (and this is only an opinion here) there were several problems with the script and story:

(ED NOTE: Spoiler Warning)

First, the 'board to the head' beginning with the charted explanation left little to the imagination. It should have been left to be revealed in the body of the story, which it later was. But the preemptive strike at the beginning gave the whole work a 3rd grade, flow chart, explain everything mentality.Second, story wise, what was the big deal with the aliens. Yes, we (humanity) had been being duped for a couple of thousand years, but big whoop. Its not like they were a danger to anyone. Did they cause ill effects on the human race? Did people die because of this? Wheres the horror? The threat? What would have been better would be to ask the bigger questions? Were these creatures collectively God? They were asked but left dangling as if to say, " we don't know what it is, its not hurting anyone, lets kill it." What was the reason. Thirdly, more realistic dialog and less preachiness. The purpose for inventions speech was very contrived. The dialog was stiff and struggling at times. People don't talk like text books, genius' don't tend to prattle (they do ramble). I should know, I worked with a number over the years. Now for the filming. Lighting issues. Shakey camera work at times (Oddly well handled part of the time), and some actors who were terrible unsuited. The main priest was good, the second priest too young, Gordo just irritating and weakly acted, as though he were strung out on twinkies and going through puberty. The ending was vague and took no chances and the whole device felt 'stuffed'. I will give you points for effort. You are at least doing something. The effects were truly great. But it all just felt contrived. And I am sorry to be so harsh. But don't promise what you can't deliver or modify what you claim to be. Honesty over vanity, which is what this project seems to be dedicated. I will say this, I have a couple of friends who turned me on to this who really liked it. I too think it has potential. But on this episode, it was squandered and crippled. Better plotted out scripts and a little more in the way of directing and I think you may have something. Otherwise, I will be skeptical, not that it should matter to you. Keep plugging and remember its easy to set on this side, but it can be liberating and freeing to do so. You laid it open for commentary and opinion. Here is just one. Future good fortune. KVS

Commented on Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:00 PM

Rich Sigfrit says:

I have to say, to Earl and Crew, that you guys did a tremendous job on this first ep. The CG was great, the visuals good, and acting was on par. Ive been a fan of Elliot since the first time I saw Fall of a Saga. One thing I really liked about this was that you didn't pander to the lowest common denominator. I felt that this was more a story about faith, then about any kind of scary monster. By not doing the easy story about things that eat people, it took a much more poignant look at the question of faith. How do you know what you believe, and have believed is true. It would've been too simple to make the tale about something that eats the body, but something that feeds on the soul, is not only deeper, but something that you won't see on network television. I guess that's the trouble with having to pander to stockholders who may not be able to realize what should be painfully obvious. I think this is a great way to open the series. No real surprise that this was spawned from the mind attatched to the body that uses Chicken Sissors to shave his head. hahahaha. If this is the bench mark set for Stranger Things, I can't wait for Discontent.

Commented on Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:00 PM

Japester says:

I disagree with kvs. I think it would be churlish to criticize this film too much. The team has done a remarkable job on a small budget.

Scott's take on religion is quite unique from my perspective. It's all about the priest's faith being tested and I had no problems with the actor's portrayal of this. The cultist looked suitably young and impressionable. The simple man really came across as a mindless genius.

My suspension of disbelief was a little tested when I saw the alien. It was a good-looking alien but I think something half seen as in Alien would have worked better. When I heard Scott Sigler's story podcast in audio, in my mind the aliens were mysterious and shadowy creatures, and for some reason I had the idea that they were outside the Earth's atmosphere, otherwise an aircraft might have bumped into one by now and they might have been discovered.

I was thrown by the text cards before the film, which read like a trailer or preview. Given that I was about to watch the film, it would have been better without this.

Technically, very nice. Very little in the way of jaggies. I watched it through my 5.5-Gen iPod on my TV.

I think it's a remarkable achievement and a great start to what is a groundbreaking podcasting venture. Well done guys!