This Father's Day happens to be the birthday of two Oz fans.
One of them is me. I've mentioned this on this blog before...
The other is Aaron Pacentine, as I shockingly discovered last night.
How weird is that?
I haven't heard anything from Aaron yet. But, as MySpace says he logged in today, I guess he's still alive and was not killed by the shock. (Yeah, right.)
If you want to say "Happy Birthday" to either of us, you can e-mail Aaron at videosforfamily@aol.com, and you can e-mail me at dorothyandozma@hotmail.com, scarecrowandtinman2002@yahoo.com, leave a comment on the blog, or send a MySpace message to the Dorothy & Ozma Productions profile.
Plus, the ads are beginning to annoy me. If I don't get a check by the end of the month for letting them pollute my blog, I'm taking them off! (Already know how to do it.)
Friday, June 15, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
More Manga!
I checked Eric Gjovaag's blog today, and someone had commented on his latest entry. I checked the link, and the person mentioned that since Eric liked Oz: The Manga, that they were forwarding him this link:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/56000188/
It appears to be the cover for the first of a new Manga series, The Land Of Oz: The Manga.
Oz fans are finally getting one of their many wishes granted.
I will have to go threaten Vintage Stock to carry it.
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/56000188/
It appears to be the cover for the first of a new Manga series, The Land Of Oz: The Manga.
Oz fans are finally getting one of their many wishes granted.
I will have to go threaten Vintage Stock to carry it.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Returning To Oz #24
Well, episode 24 is up, and here's the review!
Well, if the last couple of episodes didn't impress you, this one should. Will. Unless your heart is made of stone.
Anyways, the show is really in two parts: there is a discussion with Aaron Pacentine, Aaron Schultz, newcomer Sean McGuire (how many Oz fans are out there named Sean?), and the returning Joshua Dudley, and then we transition over to a very special interview with a singer named Rolla.
Very early in the first part, Aaron (Pacentine) asks how Sean, Aaron Schultz, and Joshua feel about the transition in the Oz books from the early Baum books to the new ones, like Joshua's Lost in Oz. A very interesting question, but from the answers given, I'm not sure everyone completely understood it. However, Joshua, at least, was able to answer the question considerably well.
Aaron Schultz also talks about the characters that had, at different stages in pre-production, been considered for inclusion in Disney's Return to Oz. Also mentioned is some of the Oz characters in the famous Coronation scene, one of my personal favorite scenes in the film.
Also, there is a discussion about Oz conventions. Some of the "Returning To Oz crew" will be at some of them, others will not. So, those of you who have the time and resources to attend one may want to keep your eyes open!
Now, we interview Rolla, who tells us about her entrance into the world of music, and also her opinions on MGM's The Wizard Of Oz, and also treats us all to a wonderful a cappella rendition of Over The Rainbow.
Overall, a great episode! Go download it now. (Link to your right.)
Well, if the last couple of episodes didn't impress you, this one should. Will. Unless your heart is made of stone.
Anyways, the show is really in two parts: there is a discussion with Aaron Pacentine, Aaron Schultz, newcomer Sean McGuire (how many Oz fans are out there named Sean?), and the returning Joshua Dudley, and then we transition over to a very special interview with a singer named Rolla.
Very early in the first part, Aaron (Pacentine) asks how Sean, Aaron Schultz, and Joshua feel about the transition in the Oz books from the early Baum books to the new ones, like Joshua's Lost in Oz. A very interesting question, but from the answers given, I'm not sure everyone completely understood it. However, Joshua, at least, was able to answer the question considerably well.
Aaron Schultz also talks about the characters that had, at different stages in pre-production, been considered for inclusion in Disney's Return to Oz. Also mentioned is some of the Oz characters in the famous Coronation scene, one of my personal favorite scenes in the film.
Also, there is a discussion about Oz conventions. Some of the "Returning To Oz crew" will be at some of them, others will not. So, those of you who have the time and resources to attend one may want to keep your eyes open!
Now, we interview Rolla, who tells us about her entrance into the world of music, and also her opinions on MGM's The Wizard Of Oz, and also treats us all to a wonderful a cappella rendition of Over The Rainbow.
Overall, a great episode! Go download it now. (Link to your right.)
Wonders Episode One Production - Part 2 and ramblings
Today, I finally got the first part of the first part of "The Wonders Of Oz" episode 1 edited together... and will soon edit again, likely.
I'm not going to go into detail about how the opening goes. I'll wait until it's released for you to see.
What I will say is that I will not be using any shots of my hand writing ANYTHING. Trying to write backwards in a way that looks realistic is very hard, so I'm not going to use it... Unless someone who is left-handed wants to send me a video of their hands writing "Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas praries with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife."
(My e-mail is dorothyandozma@hotmail.com)
Anyways, you won't be hearing me until after the opening titles, so I guess I'll have to get started on that one soon... like... tomorrow... (Well, seeing as it's almost 2AM, later today...)
I'm hoping to get a good bit done later on. I have Wednesday and Friday off, and will hopefully have Sunday off... which I really want off from work... It will be my 21st birthday. I'll be old enough to do anything except get Senior Citizen discounts.
I can work on it Friday morning and afternoon, but if the family isn't coming down for Father's Day, I'm heading off to see Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.
And speaking of the FF and Oz... in one issue of Marvel's What If? (a comic book that dealt with different versions of the Marvel Universe, like "What If Someone Else Was Bitten By The Radioactive Spider?" or "What If Aunt May Was Killed Instead Of Uncle Ben?"), they deal with the question "What If The Fantastic Four Had Different Super Powers?" In it, instead of becoming the Human Torch, Johnny Storm becomes made of metal. Some girls compare him to the Tin Woodman, and Johnny also says at one point that he needs to oil himself.
And in issue #100, a back-up story was... no, wait... Why don't I just save it for an entry about how friendly to Oz the folks at Marvel have been? Yep, I'd gladly be in FOOM (Friends Of Ol' Marvel) if it was still around... Is it?
And also, we have "Returning to Oz" episode 24 released. Review tomorrow!
And by the way, I do not see "The Wonders Of Oz" competing against "Returning To Oz." Although both are fan-made series about Oz, "Wonders" is going to be "L. Frank Baum & Oz 101," while "Returning to Oz" is more of a discussion-style series that will go indepth to certain topics. "Wonders" will encourage the viewer to find out more on their own, and, though not quite as strongly, "Returning to Oz" does that too by referencing Oz documentaries, the International Wizard of Oz Club and The Baum Bugle, and other reference materials. (That's how I was sold on getting a copy of The World Of Oz.)
Well, someone needs some shut-eye now... now to pry my fingers from the keyboard...
I'm not going to go into detail about how the opening goes. I'll wait until it's released for you to see.
What I will say is that I will not be using any shots of my hand writing ANYTHING. Trying to write backwards in a way that looks realistic is very hard, so I'm not going to use it... Unless someone who is left-handed wants to send me a video of their hands writing "Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas praries with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife."
(My e-mail is dorothyandozma@hotmail.com)
Anyways, you won't be hearing me until after the opening titles, so I guess I'll have to get started on that one soon... like... tomorrow... (Well, seeing as it's almost 2AM, later today...)
I'm hoping to get a good bit done later on. I have Wednesday and Friday off, and will hopefully have Sunday off... which I really want off from work... It will be my 21st birthday. I'll be old enough to do anything except get Senior Citizen discounts.
I can work on it Friday morning and afternoon, but if the family isn't coming down for Father's Day, I'm heading off to see Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.
And speaking of the FF and Oz... in one issue of Marvel's What If? (a comic book that dealt with different versions of the Marvel Universe, like "What If Someone Else Was Bitten By The Radioactive Spider?" or "What If Aunt May Was Killed Instead Of Uncle Ben?"), they deal with the question "What If The Fantastic Four Had Different Super Powers?" In it, instead of becoming the Human Torch, Johnny Storm becomes made of metal. Some girls compare him to the Tin Woodman, and Johnny also says at one point that he needs to oil himself.
And in issue #100, a back-up story was... no, wait... Why don't I just save it for an entry about how friendly to Oz the folks at Marvel have been? Yep, I'd gladly be in FOOM (Friends Of Ol' Marvel) if it was still around... Is it?
And also, we have "Returning to Oz" episode 24 released. Review tomorrow!
And by the way, I do not see "The Wonders Of Oz" competing against "Returning To Oz." Although both are fan-made series about Oz, "Wonders" is going to be "L. Frank Baum & Oz 101," while "Returning to Oz" is more of a discussion-style series that will go indepth to certain topics. "Wonders" will encourage the viewer to find out more on their own, and, though not quite as strongly, "Returning to Oz" does that too by referencing Oz documentaries, the International Wizard of Oz Club and The Baum Bugle, and other reference materials. (That's how I was sold on getting a copy of The World Of Oz.)
Well, someone needs some shut-eye now... now to pry my fingers from the keyboard...
Friday, June 08, 2007
"The Wonders Of Oz" Part One Production... part 1
Having today off of work, I decided to work on the first episode of "The Wonders Of Oz." (Remember, what's already been released is episode zero: the introduction.) My goodness! This can get hard when you're working alone, although I already have an ACTUAL submission. (Thanks, Marc!)
In the beginning of the first episode, you will hear a quote from L. Frank Baum. Sadly, if Baum ever made a recording of his voice, it no longer exsists or has not been found. (And anyways, in all my research, no one has mentioned one.) This means that no one knows what he sounded like, except that he sang in a baritone voice. (Just like A. D. Stonecipher from Chapter 6!) I had originally meant to record myself reading it, but the first few attempts were unintelligible! Then, they didn't sound so good or I messed up. (Maybe I should've saved my attempts, as one time when I messed up, I started singing the quote all of a sudden, but I did not bother keeping it.) It got even harder when I tried to remove a few bits to make it go faster.
What was my solution? I won't be heard reading the quote, but it will still be there. I used a nice text-to-speech converter, and recorded the results and did some editing.
Another thing I'm still working on is filming my own hand writing "Dorothy lived" backwards! (I'm right-handed, Baum was left-handed.)
The opening credits will look different again, and will hopefully be easier to read. I went back and redesigned almost all of the frames, though the basic format is still retained. The lettering on every frame but the "Wonders Of Oz" screen is now florescent instead of looking like it's made of gold, and many of the "emeralds" look different. Someone also suggested that I change Baum's picture, which I have done. In the revised screen with all those Oz characters, none will overlap the resized emerald. And also, I will not have my YouTube ID on the screen with my name and photo.
I'd love to chat more, but I need to get back to work.
I hope I can get the first episode done in one or two weeks. (Fingers crossed.)
In the beginning of the first episode, you will hear a quote from L. Frank Baum. Sadly, if Baum ever made a recording of his voice, it no longer exsists or has not been found. (And anyways, in all my research, no one has mentioned one.) This means that no one knows what he sounded like, except that he sang in a baritone voice. (Just like A. D. Stonecipher from Chapter 6!) I had originally meant to record myself reading it, but the first few attempts were unintelligible! Then, they didn't sound so good or I messed up. (Maybe I should've saved my attempts, as one time when I messed up, I started singing the quote all of a sudden, but I did not bother keeping it.) It got even harder when I tried to remove a few bits to make it go faster.
What was my solution? I won't be heard reading the quote, but it will still be there. I used a nice text-to-speech converter, and recorded the results and did some editing.
Another thing I'm still working on is filming my own hand writing "Dorothy lived" backwards! (I'm right-handed, Baum was left-handed.)
The opening credits will look different again, and will hopefully be easier to read. I went back and redesigned almost all of the frames, though the basic format is still retained. The lettering on every frame but the "Wonders Of Oz" screen is now florescent instead of looking like it's made of gold, and many of the "emeralds" look different. Someone also suggested that I change Baum's picture, which I have done. In the revised screen with all those Oz characters, none will overlap the resized emerald. And also, I will not have my YouTube ID on the screen with my name and photo.
I'd love to chat more, but I need to get back to work.
I hope I can get the first episode done in one or two weeks. (Fingers crossed.)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Returning to Oz #23
Well, I just finished listening to the 23rd episode of "Returning to Oz."
Like episode 22, this is not one of the best, but it is better than last time. (We all have our off-times!) Aaron Schultz has returned for this episode, but not the other hosts. It's practically summer, and the transition between spring and summer is always a busy time of year, likely affecting why so few people have been involved in these episodes.
Dexter Fabi, who was in a few previous episodes, is back as well.
Now, to business. Aaron Schultz talks about what has happened to some of the props from Return to Oz. If you are interested in collecting props from the movie (I once saw a pitcher from the Nome King's Ornament Rooms on E-Bay, couldn't buy it), listen to this episode!
Next, Dexter and Aaron Schultz and Aaron Pacentine discuss more on Return to Oz, including special effects and the trailer.
Worth the download (you'll have to download the last two parts: they're in WMA format and ZShare cannot play them) and the listen.
New on my blog, I added more links to the links section, including a link to "Returning To Oz."
I also did some work today in "The Wonders Of Oz." There will be yet another alteration in the opening titles that I hope will make them easier to read.
Like episode 22, this is not one of the best, but it is better than last time. (We all have our off-times!) Aaron Schultz has returned for this episode, but not the other hosts. It's practically summer, and the transition between spring and summer is always a busy time of year, likely affecting why so few people have been involved in these episodes.
Dexter Fabi, who was in a few previous episodes, is back as well.
Now, to business. Aaron Schultz talks about what has happened to some of the props from Return to Oz. If you are interested in collecting props from the movie (I once saw a pitcher from the Nome King's Ornament Rooms on E-Bay, couldn't buy it), listen to this episode!
Next, Dexter and Aaron Schultz and Aaron Pacentine discuss more on Return to Oz, including special effects and the trailer.
Worth the download (you'll have to download the last two parts: they're in WMA format and ZShare cannot play them) and the listen.
New on my blog, I added more links to the links section, including a link to "Returning To Oz."
I also did some work today in "The Wonders Of Oz." There will be yet another alteration in the opening titles that I hope will make them easier to read.
New Keychain & Returning To Oz episode
Today, I went to put money in the bank. (Only $100. I had to give $50 to my sis to help pay some bills.) While I was waiting for the bus (my sister has the car), I noticed a small shop. I'd been in there a couple of years ago, but not since. I decided that since I had a bit of time on my hands, I went ahead and gave it another visit.
I am not a compulsive shopper, and never really have been. Sometimes I'll browse around at a store, usually a bookstore, but not often. Usually I know what I want to get and run in, grab it, pay for it, and run out.
At the shop, I noticed nothing priced over $1.25, but I did see some keychains. Since my last one, a pen that read "A.D.D. Happens," had slowly bit the dust in the course of three months (it fell apart), I decided to see if any would spark my interest.
There were some of dogs, but no chihuahuas, and as that is the type of dog I currently have in my home, I was not interested. There were some of Zodiac symbols, including Gemini, which is my sign, but as I am a Christian and only glance at old horoscopes for a laugh, it wouldn't be right. There were football keychains, both of balls (and soccer balls for the UK version of football) and for teams, but I am not a sports fan. There were also keychains that were a round, flat plastic circle with a hollow curved tube inside were a few tiny steel beads rolled around.
What did I choose? A yellow chicken with a red comb. When you push a button on the back of it's head, it's beak opens and a red light shines.
$1.07
Cool, a Billina keychain that shoots a laser from her mouth!
Unfortunately, the battery died shortly after I got home.
Oh! Aaron Pacentine has uploaded episode 23 of "Returning To Oz." I'm listening to it now, so there will be a review up soon. (Aaron Schultz is back in it!)
I am not a compulsive shopper, and never really have been. Sometimes I'll browse around at a store, usually a bookstore, but not often. Usually I know what I want to get and run in, grab it, pay for it, and run out.
At the shop, I noticed nothing priced over $1.25, but I did see some keychains. Since my last one, a pen that read "A.D.D. Happens," had slowly bit the dust in the course of three months (it fell apart), I decided to see if any would spark my interest.
There were some of dogs, but no chihuahuas, and as that is the type of dog I currently have in my home, I was not interested. There were some of Zodiac symbols, including Gemini, which is my sign, but as I am a Christian and only glance at old horoscopes for a laugh, it wouldn't be right. There were football keychains, both of balls (and soccer balls for the UK version of football) and for teams, but I am not a sports fan. There were also keychains that were a round, flat plastic circle with a hollow curved tube inside were a few tiny steel beads rolled around.
What did I choose? A yellow chicken with a red comb. When you push a button on the back of it's head, it's beak opens and a red light shines.
$1.07
Cool, a Billina keychain that shoots a laser from her mouth!
Unfortunately, the battery died shortly after I got home.
Oh! Aaron Pacentine has uploaded episode 23 of "Returning To Oz." I'm listening to it now, so there will be a review up soon. (Aaron Schultz is back in it!)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Wow! Another entry today!
Hey! I'm posting up another blog entry today!
A few weeks ago, Edward Einhorn posted his play "The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Robot" on YouTube. (Part 1, Part 2)
I asked if he might sometime upload "Unauthorized Magic in Oz," his puppet play based on his short story "Unauthorized Magic" in Oz-Story #5. (Hungry Tiger Press is sold out! If you want a copy, drop me a line if you need help looking: dorothyandozma@hotmail.com). He said he planned on putting it up, but wasn't sure of how to get uploadable video from the DVD copy he had of the first performance. I gave him a tip, having ripped video from DVD myself many times. (This can all be seen on the IWOC message board.)
The story is a follow-up to Paradox in Oz and leads up to the events in The Living House of Oz.
Well, anyways, I decided to show this fine story here in my blog. Enjoy!
Oh, and the Introduction to "The Wonders of Oz" has been very warmly recieved. While the reception was not going to even affect my decision to make more videos, it has made me think overtime on how to do the first episode. I've got a pretty good idea. There may be a shot of my hands as L. Frank Baum's in the next video, except I'll have to flip the video: I'm right-handed, Baum was left-handed.
A few weeks ago, Edward Einhorn posted his play "The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Robot" on YouTube. (Part 1, Part 2)
I asked if he might sometime upload "Unauthorized Magic in Oz," his puppet play based on his short story "Unauthorized Magic" in Oz-Story #5. (Hungry Tiger Press is sold out! If you want a copy, drop me a line if you need help looking: dorothyandozma@hotmail.com). He said he planned on putting it up, but wasn't sure of how to get uploadable video from the DVD copy he had of the first performance. I gave him a tip, having ripped video from DVD myself many times. (This can all be seen on the IWOC message board.)
The story is a follow-up to Paradox in Oz and leads up to the events in The Living House of Oz.
Well, anyways, I decided to show this fine story here in my blog. Enjoy!
Oh, and the Introduction to "The Wonders of Oz" has been very warmly recieved. While the reception was not going to even affect my decision to make more videos, it has made me think overtime on how to do the first episode. I've got a pretty good idea. There may be a shot of my hands as L. Frank Baum's in the next video, except I'll have to flip the video: I'm right-handed, Baum was left-handed.
RETURNING TO OZ #22
Well, last Saturday, Aaron Pacentine uploaded the 22nd episode of Returning to Oz to the Internet, so it's time for a review. (Albeit delayed, I was very busy Saturday and Sunday, sorry!)
In this episode, music teacher Andrew Kepp (sic) is featured. As a music teacher, he analyzes the first track of the soundtrack album for Return to Oz. His comments will be of great interest to anyone who is interested in music, film scores, film editing, or wants to know some of the somewhat more obscure facts behind Disney's movie.
Afterward, we switch over to a previously recorded interview with Andrew, where he gets to speak about his interest in Return to Oz and Oz in general, including comments on the MGM movie and the 2005 restoration.
That closes the episode, but there is also an additional bonus feature. (There was also one for episode 21, but it was not uploaded until after I'd finished the review.) This is an interview an Oz fan named David Reddish, who gets his time in to share his comments on Oz. He also talks about a tour he had at the Disney Burbank lot, and what he got to see, including some artifacts (okay, maybe not the proper term, but still) from Return to Oz.
All in all, this episode does not cover Oz as generally as has been done in some past episodes, episode regulars Aaron Schultz and Jason Cottle and Travis Black do not appear, but this does not make it "bad." It will still appeal to Oz fans, especially those who are interested in Return to Oz.
Very soon, Aaron has announced, episode 23 will be released, and there will be a review on that one, just as soon as I can listen to it.
To check it all out, the address, once again, is http://www.videosforfamily.com/returntoozshow.htm.
In this episode, music teacher Andrew Kepp (sic) is featured. As a music teacher, he analyzes the first track of the soundtrack album for Return to Oz. His comments will be of great interest to anyone who is interested in music, film scores, film editing, or wants to know some of the somewhat more obscure facts behind Disney's movie.
Afterward, we switch over to a previously recorded interview with Andrew, where he gets to speak about his interest in Return to Oz and Oz in general, including comments on the MGM movie and the 2005 restoration.
That closes the episode, but there is also an additional bonus feature. (There was also one for episode 21, but it was not uploaded until after I'd finished the review.) This is an interview an Oz fan named David Reddish, who gets his time in to share his comments on Oz. He also talks about a tour he had at the Disney Burbank lot, and what he got to see, including some artifacts (okay, maybe not the proper term, but still) from Return to Oz.
All in all, this episode does not cover Oz as generally as has been done in some past episodes, episode regulars Aaron Schultz and Jason Cottle and Travis Black do not appear, but this does not make it "bad." It will still appeal to Oz fans, especially those who are interested in Return to Oz.
Very soon, Aaron has announced, episode 23 will be released, and there will be a review on that one, just as soon as I can listen to it.
To check it all out, the address, once again, is http://www.videosforfamily.com/returntoozshow.htm.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Here's the plan...
You know how I've mentioned I can't afford to buy Oz stuff? Well, here's the plan to get me out of debt!
You see, I currently owe my bank quite a bit of money. A bill from our phone company was charged to my account, after my sister tried to pay it herself. I didn't realize this had happened until a while later. In addition to paying them back, there's the $28 overdraft fee, so the sum I owe is rather large... It's over $300, but not over $350.
HOWEVER! I think I can have it paid off by the end of June! I can already pay $150, and, with saving $50 from each of my weekly paychecks, my plan should work! I won't know for sure until I'm done though. Sometimes unexpected expenses arise. But, hopefully not. Maybe I'll be able to pay off a little more sometimes. (This is why I wish I lived in Oz.)
After that, probably my first online purchase will be with Hungry Tiger Press. I'll probably order John Dough & the Cherub and The Flying Girl & Her Chum together.
Oh, and for the "first" episode of "The Wonders Of Oz" series, I've already got some plans worked out. But let me tell you something: don't expect the same format every time. I've already got a very interesting idea for the opening of the video about "Wicked."
You see, I currently owe my bank quite a bit of money. A bill from our phone company was charged to my account, after my sister tried to pay it herself. I didn't realize this had happened until a while later. In addition to paying them back, there's the $28 overdraft fee, so the sum I owe is rather large... It's over $300, but not over $350.
HOWEVER! I think I can have it paid off by the end of June! I can already pay $150, and, with saving $50 from each of my weekly paychecks, my plan should work! I won't know for sure until I'm done though. Sometimes unexpected expenses arise. But, hopefully not. Maybe I'll be able to pay off a little more sometimes. (This is why I wish I lived in Oz.)
After that, probably my first online purchase will be with Hungry Tiger Press. I'll probably order John Dough & the Cherub and The Flying Girl & Her Chum together.
Oh, and for the "first" episode of "The Wonders Of Oz" series, I've already got some plans worked out. But let me tell you something: don't expect the same format every time. I've already got a very interesting idea for the opening of the video about "Wicked."
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