Anyone who knows my politics knows that I’m a progressive Republican, and knows that I hope that Jon Huntsman becomes the 2012 Republican Presidential Nominee.  But, even though I like what Governor Huntsman stands for, and I do support his candidacy, I don’t like everything about him.  There are some things that I absolutely choke back tears after hearing: mainly, his speeches.

Ever since I watched Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing I have wanted to be a speechwriter, given the opportunity.  Of course, Aaron Sorkin wrote most, if not all, of Seaborn’s beautiful prose, but it’s that sort of language that I would bring to a speech.  I understand, of course, that half of all great speeches begin with a great orator and Martin Sheen’s Josiah Bartlett was an amazing orator.  Governor Huntsman I believe, can match, if not exceed that, given the right opportunity.

I had the unfortunate opportunity to read Governor Huntsman’s prepared remarks (read from his website) as delivered to the National Press Club.  It was fettered with phrases such as “most fundamental” to clauses and ideas that caused me to repeatedly put my head down against my desk/iPad (don’t worry, my iPad is fine).

Thus, I am endeavoring to rewrite most, if not all, of Governor Huntsman’s speeches.  If one of the Governor’s speechwriters is reading this, I’m sorry if this is offensive to you, but I can’t stand by and let one of my favorite politicians be repeatedly put towards the lower end of oratory greatness due to your lack of writing ability.  Toby Ziegler and Sam Seaborn would be sad to read some of what you’ve written.

Below will be links to the posts, after they’ve been written.

But recently I learned of the wonder of comic books.  I picked up a few issues of Hellboy: The Fury, and quickly delved into comic books with my iPad, buying a lot of X-Men, B.P.R.D, and others.  It wasn’t until I learned that Marvel had decided to “relaunch” Uncanny X-Men as well start a sister comic Wolverine and the X-Men, that I decided it may be a good time to buy all this wonderful adventure goodness in actual print form.

There will be posts in the future about what I believe about print and the future of digital publishing.  As anyone who has friended me on FaceBook will know, I used to work at Barnes & Noble, and anyone who knows me, knows that I worked specifically and pretty much exclusively at the Nook desk, selling and of course troubleshooting Nooks.  I have a lot to say on the subject as someone who has now been on both sides of this wonderful debate.  But now, of course, is not the right time for that.

Let me clarify: I am just starting with comic books.  I never really got into it as a kid, and so I’m quite behind.  Quite, quite, quite, quite, quite, really, really, really, really behind.

But here’s what I’ve started out reading, and if you have any comments on what I should be reading, please let me know!  I’ll try and pick it up and see what I think.  I’ll try and provide detailed reviews of what I think of the comics I’m reading, but for the most part, when I finished B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia Part 3, and there was a maelstrom of letters in the back of the issue commenting on the new artist, I didn’t really know any artists name, or that there was even a new guy.  With that being said however, I do make it a point to read all the wikipedia articles before I go out and buy comics, so that I can at least see what I should try [and like], but unfortunately for the most part it’s all guided by Hollywood and what they decide to make into movies.  And yet…I still won’t read Green Lantern.  Heh.

• Uncanny X-Men
• Wolverine and the X-Men
• Wolverine
• B.P.R.D.
• Hellboy
• X-Men: Legacy
• Static Shock
• Spaceman
• Elephantmen
• Pilot Season: Theory of Everything
• Thunder Agents
• there are more that I will list, such as Defenders, but they’re not out yet

As you can see, there are very few on that list that are D.C., it’s because I don’t know of that many good D.C. comics and not many people have recommended them to me!

As I read more, finish arcs [such as B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia] I will review my thoughts on them, but as always I’m not completely versed in some things, such as art quality between the various artists, so I won’t even try and comment on something like that.  I do read a lot of fiction, a lot of science fiction, so at least I can compare it to things like that!

[Originally published over at SpaceMoat, which I had hoped I would mold into a website for book reviews, comic reviews, etc. However, as with many of my projects, it never really got off the ground, so I'm going to publish all that sort of content over here from now on.  SpaceMoat is now a publishing ground for Zachary Pine, a friend of mine who studies at University of California, Berkeley.]

Author: Mike Resnick
Pyr Books
ISBN-13: 9781591027881
Pages: 335
Publication Date: December 22, 2009

Mike Resnick has a track record for some of the best science fiction ever written.  He ranks as one of the leading award winners, and has a writing career spanning over half a century.  And yet his last book in the Starship series, ending the “Republic” period of the Birthright Universe left something of a sour taste in my mouth.

As I finished it, I tried to pinpoint what exactly I desired.  It wasn’t plot, this book had that.  It wasn’t action, this book definitely had that.  I think it was something between believability and a true suspension of disbelief.  It was also the sheer number of plot holes.  That was pretty scary.  At times it seemed that this book’s mission was to chart how many coincidences could be plotted so that the book’s characters could achieve what they desired.  It was slightly disturbing at times.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Starship series, it began with Starship: Mutiny.  I read this book several years ago, and it was quite good, a very light military science fiction tale, not too much jargon and just the right amount of action.  I liked it enough to keep reading the series.  The only thing that really kept me going through each of the books was the lightness of them.  They don’t require much to follow them, there aren’t intertwining story lines, or complex arcs.  1 main character, 1 main story line, and every plot point connected with the main character: Wilson Cole.

Formerly one of the most decorated officers in the Republic’s Navy, a 3 million ship force spanning thousands of populated worlds, Wilson Cole was one of my favorite science fiction characters.  He was funny, smart, and upheld his principles.  This is still somewhat true after I finished this book, but he was tarnished by some of its events.

At the end of the book, in one the last appendices, Mr. Resnick goes into detail about what he believed each of his Starship books was truly about, and the questions that he tried to raise.  While it could be a small spoiler, he explains that one question he tried to raise in this book was the purpose of torture, and whether a situation may justify its use.  Yes, Cole forsakes his principles to commit harsh interrogation and walk the fuzzy line between it and torture.  The previous book, Starship: Rebel also had elements of this in it.  To say that Mr. Resnick’s execution of his questions failed may be a little harsh, but I did expect a tad bit more from one of the masters of science fiction.

I mentioned earlier that suspension of disbelief wasn’t really kept through the entire book, and I truly believe that it’s the very premise that’s hard to stomach.  Wilson Cole, on a ship that’s nearly 80 years out of date wages war on a Republic with nearly 3 million ships in its Navy and tears it down not by winning tactically, but through other smarter means: propaganda and the like.  While I won’t spoil the actual ways that he does it, it does seem rather incredible to say the least.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh.  Looking back on the entire series, I can see that it’s probably not meant to be the most serious science fiction tale.  It’s not Asimov’s Foundation, and it’s probably not meant to be.  It’s most likely meant to be a fun, light, military science fiction romp, and it does succeed at that.

The entire series, if charted, took me about 15 days to read.  If you have 15 days to spare, take a read of the exploits of Wilson Cole and leave a comment below on what you thought!

If it’s anything, my short time in this point of the Birthright Universe does make me want to read other tales of the Birthright Universe, if only to escape for a few minutes from the more complex tales I’ve been reading.

That, and my need to keep this a professional production blog of Giant Gnome Productions from the head of Giant Gnome himself, I try my best to limit what exactly I talk about here.  However, in my Visual Literacy Class, my professor a certain Dustin Harrison-Atlas, gave us an assignment to use our vast photoshop skills to come up with a mock movie poster.  In my case because I’m cheaper than an ant with no money, I use GIMP, which is equally as powerful as Photoshop in my opinion, but loads and bundles cheaper…by which I mean…free.  Because I’m a huge Doctor Who fan, and it seemed easier to do than a Star Trek movie poster, I decided to try my hand at making a somewhat humorous Doctor Who poster.  And with that, I connected my Visual Literacy Class to Giant Gnome Productions.  Ah…science fiction, what amazingness you truly are.

So, armed with GIMP a vague idea, a cup of coffee and a brain pleading to go to bed, I took to the streets…by which I mean my computer, and tried to construct some type of mock movie poster.  The two real requirements were that I use six layers and that my face be somewhere on it.  So, with that in mind, here’s what I came up with.  Yes, you are allowed to judge.

Right, dry your tears of laughter, it’s really not that funny.  But perhaps it’s something that may have brightened your day.  Really bad puns usually have that effect.

]]> http://www.waleedovase.com/2010/10/doctor-who/feed/ 0 http://www.waleedovase.com/2010/10/star-trek-xen/ http://www.waleedovase.com/2010/10/star-trek-xen/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:23:47 +0000 Waleed Ovase http://www.waleedovase.com/?p=103 Episodes | RSS Feed | iTunes

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Giant Gnome Productions is proud to present it’s third Star Trek Audio Drama.  With a talented cast led by Ryes Ptolomey as Captain Huckleberry Marshall and Scott Stronach as Admiral Jack Marshall, Star Trek: Xen will endeavor to take our listeners to new worlds as well as a universe which Giant Gnome Productions has only barely discovered.  Enjoy.

Production Team

Written By: Waleed Ovase
Produced By: Waleed Ovase and Matthew McLaren
Audio Engineering: Matthew McLaren
Original Music: Matthew McLaren
Executive Producer: Waleed Ovase

Coming Soon From Giant Gnome Productions:

Star Trek: Xen – Episode 1 – Pilot

Release Date: November 2010

Listen Now

In which, Admiral Jack Marshall gets a court martial, the USS Darwin is dead in the water, Captain Huckleberry Marshall is stressed about a Tzenkethi ship nearby, and a classified science station sends out a distress call.

Cast & Crew in the Promo:

Scott Stronach as Admiral Jack Marshall
Rhys Ptolemy as Captain Huckleberry Marshall
Melissa So as Commander Rachel Henrick
Mark Zaricor as Admiral Frank Reeves
Tom Stitzer as Grand Admiral Farnsworth
Luke Clay as Lieutenant Tech Gyeman
Keif Coomra as Ensign Lawrence Dunnings
Nathan Simmonds as Lieutenant Greg Harrison

Written By: Waleed Ovase
Produced By: Waleed Ovase and Matthew McLaren
Audio Engineering: Matthew McLaren
Original Music: Matthew McLaren
Executive Producer: Waleed Ovase

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Giant Gnome Production’s is proud to present it’s original take on the Doctor Who franchise.  David Maciver heads up a talented cast as Giant Gnome’s Doctor, with Sammy Rey as Emily Whitrose, his steadfast companion.  A homage to the Doctors of old, each adventure is in several parts, spanning hours of enjoyable audio drama.  Join us as we embark on a new journey, with a new Doctor, to explore the universe with it’s vast array of wonders, oddities, and of course, dangers.

“I seemed to have pushed or pulled something I
shouldn’t have. Nothing to do but to push and pull a few
more and hope for the best.”

-The Doctor

——————–

Our Doctor Who Serial at Giant Gnome Productions is going incredibly well.  Starting in Fall 2010 we’ve begun our second season with two episodes released monthly, and an amazing christmas special in the works.  If you’d like to listen, please click on one of the above links.

Planning has commenced on Episodes 2 and 3.  Finished the outline for Episode 2, and I shall start the outline for Episode 3 tomorrow.

And no.  I still don’t have a name for it.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!   Now off with you, find something better to read.

In the case of this production, it was about a comic book and genre collectibles shop, which, as it turns out, does intrigue me.  If any of you have seen the hilarious video podcast called “Kyle Piccolo: Comic Shop Therapist,” this show is basically on that thread.  I’ve always wanted to do something along those lines in a monthly audio drama, although I wouldn’t ever dare write it because I’m afraid I’m one of those geeks that doesn’t know a thing about comic books.

Nevertheless, I did audition for this show, auditioning for all the male parts, and lo and behold I got one of the lead parts.  I was casted to play Michael, the owner of the comic book and genre collectibles shop.

Now, when I auditioned for this production I noted, with intrigue, that this production was not being undertaken by any of the “big” audio groups, those including Broken Sea, Darker Projects, Pendant, and of course Gnome.  It was being headed by Tuskland Productions, you may google them if you like.  To say they were a new audio group would be quite a large understatement.  Rather, this group was created by the writer of this production, and he’s learning audio drama as he does this project, everything from writing to production or post production.  To the gallant writer, Mark Driscoll, I only have to say Bravo! And if you need help in the matter, you only need to go insofar as your lead actor(me)!

As for the pilot episode’s lines?  Well.  I finished them.  They are recorded.  They just need to be cut up nicely into files each bearing the number of the line, and the character name, per usual instructions.  Well…this is why I hate voice acting.  Too much damn work.

But, at least the episode is hilarious, perhaps even leaving room for some improvisation!  That of course is left for the writer to decide.  As usual, there shall be a link of the show in a post here, and if I get a new theme in a few weeks (wink), there’ll be a link in the projects section there as well.

It’s been a long time in the making.  Planning for Season 2 has been happening for the past few months now: writing of scripts, planning of arcs, bringing on of actors and guest writers.  All of this has left me winded!

One of the greatest additions to our team has been one of our new guest writers.  Yes, one of them will be myself sometime during this season, the other one…I can’t name.  Sorry.  He’s not a novice to Audio Drama or writing for Doctor Who.  I’ve been reading his final draft for the first part of his 3 part arc, and it’s pretty damn amazing.

Ryan’s direction as Head Writer on the series has been wonderful, and everything has been flowing smoothly.  The updates I’m giving here are going to be in the next GnomeCast, so I apologize for the any repeats.

In short: Lines for the first 3 episodes of the series are completely in, the scripts for the next 3 episodes are almost done and ready to be sent to actors, and the Christmas Special will be sent to actors by the end of the month.

Since we’re releasing Season 2 twice a month instead of once a month, it’s been hectic trying to get everything together to make sure everything flows smoothly on our set schedule of releasing on the 10th and then the 20th of every month.  I’m sure if we can get everything out on the Premiere and then the 20th of September, it’ll flow wonderfully for October and November.

Now, because we’re releasing Season 2 twice a month instead of once a month there will be no other arc related episodes during December, only the Christmas Special.  The Christmas Special is going to be an incredibly interesting storyline and personally I can’t wait to have a first read of it.  From what we’ve planned it’s going to be longer than last years christmas special, so it may end up being a small audio movie.

It’s all very exciting as everything is coming together.  In fact, this new season will also have new music written by Matthew McLaren and his guys at S&M Productions.  With that, every single ongoing series on Giant Gnome Productions has original theme music!

Since Dex Trenchcoat actually tweeted one of my last blog posts, I may actually have a few more readers than I expected.  Welcome to these new readers!  I’m glad you’re here to read my inane dribblings and hoogas.  To these new readers, I hope all of you are also listeners of Doctor Who: Legends of a Time Lord and Star Trek: Outpost.

Getting comments and feedback from listeners is said to be like pulling teeth and is likened to alchemy.  If you like our shows please comment.  If you like what we do at Giant Gnome Productions please say something!  There’s a comment box on every episode page, on every show page, and even here on my insane little blog.  Don’t be shy!  We’re making content for you to listen and to enjoy, not only because we love to create, but because we love to entertain, tell us if we’re doing a great job, we’d really appreciate it.

Although if you have a comment about Star Trek: Dimensions, you’re welcome to leave it with the others, but I’m afraid that show will most likely not be coming back anytime soon.

Hip Hip Hoorah for Doctor Who: Legends of a Time Lord Season 2!!

Will we win this year’s Parsec Audio Drama (long form) Award?

While gloating isn’t really my style of exclaiming how much we totally beat out the competition, however this is our first show to become a parsec finalist, and we’re all very proud of Tony, Dan and all the cast of Star Trek: Outpost.

It’s been a long time since Star Trek: Outpost started, 17 months plus another 4-5 months, basically puts Star Trek: Outpost at the 2 year anniversary mark soon.  But months before that, I had initially met one of my best friends to date, Tony Raymond.

Back when Giant Gnome Productions was but an inkling, a bad WordPress site, and Perry Whittle’s amazing short series “Public Service Announcements,” Tony did the brave thing of actually joining Giant Gnome Productions through our badly made “Join Us!” page.

Through Tony’s outstanding work, Giant Gnome Productions was created.  From an incredibly terrible WordPress website, he single handedly made Giant Gnome Productions a brand new website.  I wish I had some before and after screenshots of the change,  because it was truly amazing.  From a terribly put together WordPress theme that didn’t make our shows look good, we had a professional looking website that showcased our shows absolutely wonderfully.

And Tony’s work didn’t stop there.  He directed and co-produced the very first episode of the 13th Hour.  Through that experience he learned how to produce and direct shows from yours truly.  It wasn’t long after that, that he pitched Star Trek: Outpost to me, and I heartily helped him create the monthly show that we have now.  It’s truly amazing how far we’ve come.

Since Star Trek: Dimensions never really got off the group, the progress of Giant Gnome Productions can really be tracked through the monthly releases of Star Trek: Outpost.

When Tony and Dan first pitched the idea, I already knew the fatal mistake of Star Trek: Dimensions: not having more than one episode completely produced.  With Star Trek: Outpost I made sure that not one episode was released without at least 3 episodes in the can.  Throughout the production process Tony has kept to this, and we can see how it’s helped keep the ongoing schedule through thick and thin

While Giant Gnome Productions struggled to get more shows up and off the ground, the perfectly designed Star Trek: Outpost was Giant Gnome Productions only ongoing offering, and now because of it’s stolidness it is the highest downloaded and lauded show on our website.

It wasn’t until a few months into Star Trek: Outpost’s release schedule that I turned my attention to Doctor Who with Ryan Cassavaugh who had up to this point only written a few scripts for our 13th Hour Horror Anthology, and with 5 episodes of Star Trek: Outpost released, Giant Gnome Productions unveiled Doctor Who: Legends of a Time Lord Episode 1, Springheel Jack Part 1.

Every single one of our productions, besides Star Trek: Dimensions who led the first full length episode release, can be charted with the Progress of Star Trek: Outpost, our first ongoing series.

And, it seems only fitting that Star Trek: Outpost is also our first show to become a Parsec Finalist.  It’s been an amazing road for me, and I can only imagine how amazing it’s been for Tony and Dan who’ve worked incredibly hard and put in so much time and effort into the show.

Congratulations Tony, Dan, and the entire cast.  You’ve delighted me for almost two years, and listeners for more than a year and a half.  There is only a small bit of wondering left until September, and only a small bit because I know we’ll do great!

Now, I only have 5 scenes to complete, although these are realistic 5 scenes.  The last mention of 7 scenes did not include the 5 scenes I had written since then.  7 new scenes, so it was still 7 to complete with those 7 extra scenes completed.  Now however, realistically, I have completed planning of all that is to be planned and there are only 5 scenes left for me to finish.  I have started many of them, and only some of are completely untouched.  Once those scenes have finished, the Pilot Episode will be finished.  Almost done!

I’m hoping everyone will like this new Star Trek series that Giant Gnome Productions will be presenting.  It will have an original theme, original music, and post production done by Matthew McLaren!

Now, just because I’ve said that I’m almost done with the Pilot doesn’t mean that the series will be ready to unveiled.  Unlike the lessons that we’ve learned from Star Trek: Dimensions, read previous posts if you wish, there will be 3 episodes written and completed before we even release one episode of this production, which means it may not released until the end of the year.  Although, let’s hope it’s before then.  It may be released around November or so, let’s cross our fingers for this magical occurrence.

More updates soon!

Now, the only problem is, I don’t seem to be stopping with the computer.  Today I went out and purchased the Apple Magic Mouse.  Simply put, it is again one of the most amazing pieces of hardware that I’ve ever used, even if it’s a tad uncomfortable for the moment.  Hopefully I shall get used to it.

The magic of Apple products is quite intoxicating at the worst of times, and at the best of times it seems that they have the ability to deposit vast stores of dopamine into the computer pleasure center of my brain.  And if that’s weird enough, I’ve found myself rallying behind the other macheads and arguing against the PC lovers.  I have truly been converted into what can only be called the Cult of Mac.

In IB History, we learned about the Cult of Personality that Stalin imbued on dead Lenin and upon himself.  Apple Computers seem to be have the exact same ability on their users, that these computers can do absolutely no wrong.  From the always calculating and always changing apple battery calculator, to the amazing backlit LED screen, these computers are amazing.  And this new Magic Mouse that I bought today is exactly the same, although I would have liked the tracking speed to have been a tad bit faster.

But, thinking back on the wonders of the Apple Computer, is it truly wonderful, magical, and life changing in comparison to the PC users who are mere slaves to their overbearing un-intuitive machines that they boast as being their messiahs in life?  Is it all that it’s “cracked up” to be?

I’m neither expert enough to answer that question, nor am I prepared to answer that question as I’ve only had this machine a mere week and a day.  While I am prepared to say that I love it, this may only be a honeymoon phase in this relationship.  As with many Windows machines in the past, the honeymoon phase fades into the long tumultuous phase that leads to my growing anger as the computer slows down exponentially every week.  If this happens with this expensive, shiny, and dreamlike computer, the only conclusion that can be made is that all of the agony was due only to operator error.

For the few readers that I have, I’m sorry to say that I have been converted to the Cult of Mac.  It has drawn my attention for years, ever since I saw a lit apple on the front of a computer many years ago, I’ve wanted to experiment with the awesomeness that is Macintosh Computers.

Hear ye! Hear ye! I am now an Apple Fanboy!

The GnomeCast was always designed to be just an update show. “Just” an update show.  Through the 2 years that it’s been around, it’s evolved from  “just” an update show, to a funny, dare I say punny, update show that never ever met the self imposed time constraints we tried to put on it.

Over the years, it’s been a revolving door of hosts for the GnomeCast.  Started with…well…I believe it started as an idea between myself and Nick Wold.  Man. Nick Wold, now that’s a name bringing back some memories.  When Giant Gnome first started as an inkling in my head, I started a show called “Of Kings and Time Travelers,” which after many rewrites is the show that is once again in production today.  He was one of the first voice actors to audition for my first show, and after many emails and whatnot, he helped me start what would become Giant Gnome Productions.  He actually made up the name for the GnomeCast as well as composed the original music.

Alright, back on topic.  The revolving door of hosts for the GnomeCast is over.  Ryan and myself have had a great time hosting the GnomeCast, and for the most part this probably won’t change over the course of the new GnomeCast.  Unless Tony, Dan, or others would like to guest host, for the most part it’ll be Ryan and myself.  And as always, the rest of the wonderful Gnome Board is invited to come host the GnomeCast.

Unfortunately, since the new inkling in my head for the GnomeCast is different than what has been previously released, it’s time for some new theme music and a new format.

Why is all that necessary?  Because The GnomeCast is Boring.  It’s time to make a little more upbeat, a little more interesting, and a little more…fun.  Ryan Cassavaugh and I have been hosting the GnomeCast for the past few episodes, and it’s time to rethink the format.

It’s time for GnomeCast 3.0.  This time it’s going to be following 3 simple rules:  1.) Updates 2.) Interviews with GGP stars 3.) Funny!  Yup, “Funny” is a rule.

Makes sense?  Let it written, let it be done.

I say it was a fury and hailstorm, but perhaps I’m just being dramatic.  However, there have been more than a few fans that I have cried out on random forums, that I never knew existed, about Star Trek: Dimensions untimely demise.

The only thing that I can possibly say is that I’m…flattered.  As one of the original show creators, Nick Armstrong being the other one, I’m flattered at the response.  I’m excited that we had fans that would actually email us and tell us about how much they hoped for more episodes of Star Trek: Dimensions.

But, on the other hand…there seem to have been some bold faced lies, I mean rumors, that have been spread about on the internet.  And here I thought that the internet was holy or something.  Oh well.  It seems that some fans believed that there were actually 1.) episodes that we finished and just decided not to release and 2.) episodes in production that quite frankly were never even written such as episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7.

To the first part, I swear if I had episodes finished, I would have released them just to keep some of our more rabid fans from speaking out ugly nasty things in our comments about our insubordination and dereliction of duty regarding our upside down, topsy turvy release schedule.  To the second, the only thing I can say is that I’m sorry, but we only had 3 episodes written, and the only one that was ever fully produced was Episode 1.  Episode 2 was broken up into many pieces and some of those pieces are on the websites as a multi part mini series that never really finished.  And Episode 3 just didn’t quite happen even though we had a script.

There were ideas passed back and forth between Nick and I on how to exactly revive our dying show.  I knew it was dying, Nick knew it was dying, and over the past 2 years since the first episode premiered, we’ve moved onto other projects, Nick got married a few weeks ago, I’m going to college now, and everything truly has changed.  Our failure in Star Trek: Dimensions reflects our lack of commitment to it, and truly nothing else.  However, I’m going to put all the blame on my shoulders.  It was truly my fault that Episode 2 never got put together, and Episode 3 never really happened.  The problems and lack of solutions, that bombarded me during the production of Star Trek: Dimensions has only helped me in producing Doctor Who: Legends of a Time Lord, and of course in advising Star Trek: Outpost to now be a Parsec Finalist.  We’re doing an amazing job with many of our other shows…those that come out on a regular schedule, if there can be a testament, a memorial, or even a lasting impression that is Star Trek: Dimensions at Giant Gnome Productions it is that, through the lessons learned doing that wonderful, potential filled show, we learned how to manage and run now an award winning (Parsec Finalist!) production group.

To those who were worried about just how lacking Giant Gnome Productions was with only 1 Star Trek show, and how we truly needed another Star Trek show to round our hoards of regularly released shows, I have good news for all those people.

I don’t have a name for it, but I’m 43 pages into writing it at the time of this post…6 AM Thursday Morning.  43 pages of what I believe to be gold for a pilot episode of a new Star Trek show.  And just like my original idea for Dimensions, it shall be, partially, held within the mirror universe.  It will not be called Dimensions, it will not be called anything along those lines, nor will the story line have anything to do with Dimensions.  My great friend Matthew McLaren will be post producing and creating original music for it, and I thank him for his wonderful work.  He has also been a wonderful sounding board for the creation of the pilot episode.  I still have seven scenes to finish at the time of writing this post.  I’ll keep those who read this blog, I don’t expect many of you still bother to read my drivel, but it’s here for your consumption.

When I purchased it, I had this feeling of awe inspiring wonder as to the product that I would be receiving.  The feeling of a giddy child as he viewed the prospects of that perfect toy train in the story window, was just about my feeling.  Fortunately, I was not disappointed.

Up to the point of when I opened the box, I had been viewing un-boxing videos from various Youtube personalities as they meticulously, or rather un-meticulously, described their brand new Macbook Pro Laptop Computer in front of their High Definition video cameras.  These videos prepared me well for my own un-boxing, and I was not surprised when I opened the box to find the gleaming silver aluminum computer sitting snugly within a smaller than expected box.

Now, skipping forward a tiny bit, I’m going to have to describe what I believed would happen when I purchased this computer.  For the past few years I have been experiencing this excruciating pain known as writer’s block.  This bitingly horrid sensation of not being to pump out the pages of writing that I knew lay within me was enough for me to consult books on the subject and even pine for a new computer, specifically an Apple Computer, in the hopes of becoming like my writing Idols, all of whom utilized this particular brand to create their intensely creative ideas.

However, to say that my writing, or lack thereof, was the only reason that I bought this computer, would leave out one important detail.  That being, I am a film student attending one of the best film schools in the country, American University, and this brand of computer is what is needed to accomplish great things in that field.

Back to the writing aspect.  The inexplicable sensation that I tried, multiple times, to attribute to the insane workload of the International Baccalaureate Program, has it appears finally begun to wear off.  Whether it can be attributed to the purchase of this brand of computer, or simply that my educational pursuits have splintered past the horrors of the IB Program, I may never know.

But, to what extent is my writing prowess back?  The malcontent within me is always ready to point out the good, the bad, and the ugly of any situation, even the gloriousness of the one that lays before me: the unhindered writing landscape of, in my mind, a whole new world.  Personally, seeing as I’ve written at least 30 audio script pages within the last couple of days is enough to say that something has been rekindled within my cerebrum, but is this just a honeymoon period before the terror comes flooding back?

Perhaps.

All I know for the moment is that my welcome to the Apple Family of Computer Products has been a hearty one, and the experiences therein have been, for the past week, quite amazing.

A more detailed review, as well as a possible rant on my dislike of having both a “command” and “control” button are forthcoming shortly.  But as usual, don’t hold your breath, because you may die.

Me.

Yes folks, you heard it here first! I’m actually taking the blame for this lateness, not because they’re my late lines, or that I’m the voice actor who’s supposed to do them, but because I wasn’t on the ball and emailing people to get their lines in on March 21st.  Actually, I started emailing on April 4.  That’s right, I started emailing with less than 16 days before the episode is supposed to air! I’m a bum, I know. Don’t blame me, blame…I dunno…something else.  Oh. Let’s blame Arizona. Yea. It’s all Arizona’s fault I was being lazy.  Damn Arizona.

So that’s why this episode may be late. In a feat of Audio Engineering, perhaps our nimble and capable John Noble will be able to fantastically will the episode to life.  Who knows.

Well, that’s my production update for today!