TMPG Inc. : TSUNAMI MPEG DVD AUTHOR PRO 3:31 PM

TMPG Inc. : TSUNAMI MPEG DVD AUTHOR PRO
This looks like the one I've been waiting for. I'll download and test out the trial after AnimeFEST.

datajunkie 2:22 PM

datajunkie
This IS the coolest blog I've been to in a long long time. Get your weird old comicbook fix and some radio plays, too. GO NOW!

NextdayAnime.com The Last Stop for YOUR Japanese Animation DVDs! 2:18 PM

NextdayAnime.com The Last Stop for YOUR Japanese Animation DVDs!
Interesting, they've got series that I'm looking for.

Flash 12:39 PM

animefestbanner.swf

Countdown to HELL 10:22 AM

OtakuHELL Flyer
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

The weekend found me trying to get a good capture of GODSTUFF. My previous attempt to tweak the brightness left me with a washed out image that was unpresentable. So I erased it and started again. I finally got it passed through the encoder and burned to DVD yesterday afternoon. It's passible, considering it's origin on tape.

I'm missing a number of DVDs, misplaced them during the move. With any luck I'll find them tonight or tomorrow.

Instead of ripping and editing and encoding and burning SVCDs I'm simply making reauthored DVDs. I wish I'd considered this sooner, it's a lot easier and a lot faster and costs about the same. Yeah, sometimes I'm slow to figure these things out.

Thanks to Josh and Michael I've already got a stash of candy to throw at the crowd. Next year we'll get some beads, too. Now I only need to assemble and test and pack the gear for the show, and pick up some Stongbows for Bruce and the rest of the HELLposse.

Too busy 11:12 AM

104
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

Non-Photo blue leads and fresh blades for the badge cutter showed up. iriver is on backorder. PVR arrives soon.

Do I need to get more monitors for the live show?

White Zombies 10:29 AM

Zombies
Originally uploaded by rikcat.

Consumed by 2 tasks: making buttons and making discs for OtakuHELL. Both of which are very time consuming.

I need to test my set up, too. Wire the board together and patch it into the tv to see if it all works and I've got enough cables, etc. True, my set up has become pretty complex, but it makes the show run smoother.

parking.swf

oldboy 11:27 AM

http://www.oldboy-movie.jp/
http://films.tartanfilmsusa.com/oldboy/
A very good Film Noir picture...

Video Trigger 1:32 PM

p5
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

There is a number of programs designed for live performances. It looks like I'm looking from something that does "Video Triggering" and I'm lucky enough to find that there are freeware Video Triggering scripts on the web.

Paintboxs ain't cheap 1:21 PM

Looks like I'll need to buy a laptop after all. Paintboxes are essentually workstations, and highend ones at that. I'd be better off running vj software from a laptop, I just need to find video software that does paintbox type effects.

My arms are too short to PAINTBOX with God... 7:43 PM

Got an idea tonight. Another element for OtakuHELL. A Video PaintBox!

I've already got a monitor for Bruce, so I'm thinking, wouldn't it be fun to freeze frame and overwrite on the video like John Madden? So, now I'm looking for a Video Paintbox. A simple digital tablet kind of set up, on the cheap. So, I'm googling and tossing out my link-fu in hopes of finding something that could work.

http://lividinstruments.com/instruments.php
pixnmix
http://www.audiovisualizers.com/toolshak/toolshak.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/vjing/kitp01.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VJ
http://viewsician.com/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=19

The Devil's in the details 9:34 AM

Two weeks until the OtakuHELL show at AnimeFEST. I'm converting DVD clips and trailers to SVCDs and starting to pull tapes for encoding.

Friday I started to list and pull the CMs and shorts from the Stash DVDs. Compilation 9,10 and 11 have some great stuff I wanna show. But I'm having trouble ripping the VOBs, I may have to use the Movie Box.

I'm also putting together a new playlist. Not that I'm ever short of stuff to show, but I want to show some new clips with the older stuff.

More as I think of it...

Blog Trashed by
Mandarin

Dirty 1:55 PM

http://www.adirtyshamemovie.com/


ads_screensaver.swfflipbook.swf

Webcomic or Webcomix? 12:00 PM

20021023a
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

I uploaded 2 months of Oekaki into the Keenspace hopper. So every day (including weekends) there'll be a new illo on Ghost Broadcasts.

I've done some work on the untitled webcomic, but most of my extra time is divided between processing video for OtakuHELL (9/3/05) and finishing unloading the P.O.D.S. Unfortunatly I've run outta room in the garage for my crap...

I've decided to do the Jet Screamer parody flyer for OtakuHELL. It should look really nice. Maybe I'll make a few tee-shirts to sell or give away at the show.

Two Double Orders 12:46 PM

20030331a
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

Wanted to go to La Isla last night, but couldn't get Bruce or Mundee and Yuki to go. Bruce suggested that I take Yuki, but I figured I really didn't know her well enough for that. So I ordered some wings from Pizza Hut. And they only showed up with half my order. So, the delivery guy asked me to pay full price for my half order and he'd get me the rest asap. So, I did the only thing I could and decided not to tip him. I mean, after all, they screwed up my order, I was not happy with this. When delivery boy returns 20 minutes later he's all attitude. Sorry brother. Maybe next time. Ya wanna get all pissy about the tip take it out on whoever gave you only half of my order. I've been there and I know working with idiots is one of the things that goes with the job, but as the guy on the recieving end I gotta cover my own ass. Live and learn...

Carol Ann? 8:38 AM

The Creation book HOLLYWOOD HEX, about seemingly cursed movies provoked Michael to pick up the POLTERGEIST Trilogy, ROSEMARY'S BABY and EXORCIST and EXORCIST III. Oddly enough we've not picked up THE CROW...

POLTERGEIST is uneven. There seem to be scenes in the movie that are played for laughs instead of scares. So sometimes the images are very haunting and visceral and other times way too broad to be anything but absurd, and sometimes jar you out of the spell the other scenes put you in. POLTERGEIST II is filled with nothing but adsurdities, ending with the image of the Freeling family superimposed over images from a cloud tank and a light show.

However, the two scenes featuring Julian Beck as the Reverend Cane are the best part of the film. His impeading death looms over his performance, giving his presence a true feeling of physical decay, it's both startling and intimate. You know it's real, and not a special effect. If only there was more of him and less of the new age bullshit that passes for spiritual wisdom in this (and the original) movie.

Wicker and Demons 8:10 AM

I guess nobody at NetFlix watched this because it's not anime. This is a live action period piece about a secret cult of ninjas (although they are never called ninjas in the movie) who are used by the Shogun to find a hidden cache of guns. It's equal parts heist film and spagetti western. It's also quite bloody. This is one of those sword operas where blood spouts from wounds like fountains of bright red paint in absurd amounts, spraying the sets and actors in candy apple colors. If you enjoy the Zatoichi movies or the Lone Wolf and Cub series you'll want to see DEMON SPIES.

Translation & Cultural Notes
“Demon Spies” takes place sometime during the Tokugawa Era (approximately 1603-1868, also called Edo Period), the period named for the 15 generations of Tokugawa Shogun (Military Overlords) who ruled the nation, maintaining a relatively static society, for over 250 years. This period of military-rule was characterized by its relatively peaceful order overall, clear division of the social hierarchy, extravagance by the privileged classes, isolation from the West, and a lot of convoluted treachery, as well as many important cultural and intellectual developments.

For many centuries, Japan had a form of feudal system, in which the servants, vassals and palace guards of the Daimyo (the military Lords of independant regional domains, who maintained a castle, a home base, and several strategically-located satellite fortresses) were granted a piece of land (a fief), or in most cases, a stipend that came with a specific official post. In return, the vassals were expected to dedicate their lives to the service of their masters. The relationships between masters & vassals were based on this reciprocity of services and rewards, and were emotionally very strong.

Almost two-hundred Daimyo-ruled domains and their associated castle-towns existed in the early Tokugawa period, whose sizes varied according to the Daimyo's holdings and the agricultural production of the fiefs under their control. However, the number of Daimyo decreased quickly during this era, as the Tokugawa Shogunate practiced strict enforcement over Daimyo domains to reduce their power.

Since in most cases this maneuvering was political in nature, both the Daimyo and the Shogunate employed a large contingent of spies, and despite the code of Bushido (“The Way of the Warrior”), betrayal of a Lord by his supposedly loyal servants was a common event. To counter this the Daimyo employed vassals who acted as spies, solely to monitor other “trusted” members of his entourage to make sure that no one was plotting against him. Likewise, the oniwaban were guards attached to the Shogunate and performed similar duties.

A note about the title

Traditionally, the phrase “oniwaban” is written as “o-niwa-ban,” which loosely means “honor-garden-guard.” The new phrase, written in this film as a pun, is broken up as “oni-wa-ban,” which means “demon, ring (harmony), guard.”

Program Notes

The spies in this film are most likely based on the “oniwaban” (the garden guard) or the “oniwaban-shu” of the Shogunate. These secret-agents gathered intelligence and worked as guards for the Shogun, protecting generals or other high ranking officials of the Shogunate. They also followed a strict set of regulations which, in some cases, forbade them from socializing with the general public. Oniwaban-type characters in films and television are most often portrayed simply as ninjas. However, the demon spies here are given a more mystical (shall we say Hollywood-esque) aura as peacekeepers trained from a young age to serve the Shogun.

In Japanese mythology the Oni were fierce, human-like demons that lived in desolate mountain regions and preyed upon the souls of evil-doers. Although their image has changed over the years, they are most often perceived as horned monsters with blue or red skin and tiger striped clothing. Similarities can be found within the demon spies organization and the mythical oni, in that when a member of the demon spies loses their mask, they are no longer considered a demon. Likewise when a demon loses its horns, it is rendered powerless.

Kineji's phallic disguise during the “espionage demonstration” at the beginning of the film is a traditional tengu mask. The tengu, or mountain goblin, were mythical human-like monsters with red faces and long noses. The many powers the tengu possessed included a mastery of marital arts, shape-shifting and the ability to inhabit dreams. Tengu masks, along with the oni masks worn by the demon spies, are used today in parades and other celebrations to bring good luck.

During the same scene, Kaime wears an okame mask, which is a traditional symbol of good health and happiness. Today, referring to someone as an okame or otafuku can be considered a great insult. On a side note, the okame mask is linked to a female character from the old Japanese story “Ame no Uzume no Mikoto.” In it, a girl lures the sun goddess out of a cave by performing a suggestive dance, thus restoring light to the world.

“Kill them using your swords and claws.” -- Demon Chief

Fukimame and Rokujizo's triple blade claw weapon is called a torashuko (tiger claw).

“There is subversive activity in Kishu. Infiltrate them now, and crush their ambitions.” -- Voice

Kishu is the old name of the Wakayama prefecture, before the Edo period.

“It's a bullet from a new model of foreign guns, of terrifying power.” -- Jubei

During the Tokugawa era, the sale of gunpowder and other explosives was prohibited by the Shogunate.

“Jimushi, Fukimame, and Rokujizo will wait for the opportune time... and go past Kawachi to the border check-point.” -- Jubei

Now in present day Osaka, Kawachi was once one of the five provinces of the old capital of Japan, Heiankyo.

Director: Tsuboshima Takash

Takashi is best known for directing comedies, especially his “International Secret Police” films starring Tatsuya Mihashi. His 1964 film “A Keg of Powder” is one of the first films to spoof the James Bond spy flicks of the sixties.

Score: Sato Masaru (May 29, 1928-December 5, 1999)

Considered one of the most prolific composers in film history, Sato Masaru's career began at age 27 when he completed the unfinished score to Akira Kurasawa's “I Live in Fear: Record of a Living Being.” From 1956-1965, he worked with Kurasawa on such films as “Throne of Blood”, “Sanjuro” and “Red Beard”. A workhorse, Sato's credits include over 300 compositions for film and TV, including an astonishing 18 film scores in 1959. His diverse body of work includes dramas, thrillers, comedies, documentaries, animes, as well as four Godzilla films.

Story: Koike Kazuo

Born in the Akita Prefecture in 1936 to a family immersed in the Bushido tradition, Koike Kazuo has become one of the most influential and respected manga authors in the world. His first major success came with the “Lone Wolf and Cub” (“Kozure Okami”) series in 1970, which he later adapted into six successful films. Over the course of the decade, several Koike collaborations also enjoyed great success, most notably “Lady Snowblood”, “The Razor”, and “The Shadow Hunters.” In 1977, Koike opened Gekiga-Sonjuku, a school where other aspiring manga writers and artists could cultivate their styles. The school not only produced talents such as Rumiko Takahashi (“Urusei Yatsura”, “Ranma 1/2”) and Tetsu Hara (“Fist of the North Star”), but also brought the art of manga to a more respectable level. Koike found time to start a golf magazine, “Albatross View” (1987) and a samurai manga magazine, “Jin” (2004) as well begin production on yet another successful animated series, “Crying Freeman”. Also during this same time “Lone Wolf and Cub” became the first regular manga series published in the United States. Currently, when he isn't golfing or practicing kendo, Koike serves as professor and dean of the Character Figurative Arts Department at Osaka University.

S.O.S. carwash? 12:19 PM

ad41
Originally uploaded by [c21de] RetroGrafix.

Wouldn't that destroy your paintjob?

A Dying Man's Request... 10:48 AM

Just as much fun as BLOOD FEAST, if not more. Certainly better made. Everybody in TWO THOUSAND MANIACS looks like they're having a fun time making the movie, and it's hard to take too seriously. And I can't stop humming the theme music! It's BRIGADOON meets DELIVERANCE in Technocolor!

An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla: Pet Bottles 3:50 PM

An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla: Pet Bottles

"This is the opening chapter / introduction of my new book, OTAKU IN USA, to be published in Japan in October. I'm sure Tomo is going to demand mad rewrites and more blood and guts before he translates it, but here's what came out on the crapper."

New phone, new phun 9:28 AM

20021104a
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

The replacement phone arrived yesterday afternoon. It only took a few hours to get it fully charged and ready for activation, which sorta happened this morning. The first rep didn't seem to understand what I was trying to get done, but the second rep had that weary sounding voice of somebody who knows and is always fixing everybody elses mistakes. After a quick double check on the SIM card we got it working. Which all means that the old SIM card in my lost and found phone is pretty much worthless, at least that's what the rep said.

Finally got down to the Chinese Laundry last night, one trip down, one trip to pick it up and a trip in between to get the money to pay for 52 pounds of laundry. And then I still needed to put the clothes away and hang everything up when I got it all home. So doing the laundry this way not only took about as much time but it cost more, too. I really need to get a washing machine installed in the Edstead...

Screw orbiting the moon! 1:02 PM

I wanna tool around the surface!

Trader Hornee in the Midnight Sun 8:19 AM

Thoughts about HELL 1:13 PM

198
Originally uploaded by tohoscope.

Over the weekend Michael played me the theme music for OtakuHELL. I'd asked him if he could compose a theme and explained how the music whould be used. A 15 second version, a 30 second version, a 60 second version, etc. I even requested an 8 bit midi version. It was exciting to hear the theme he came up with.

I gave Michael and Josh a copy of THE HYPNOTIC EYE, and we've talked about putting together a type of public access cable show in a similar vain. I'm not entirely sure if there's a local venue for a cable access show, but I've got a few ideas.

In addition to the video clips I'd like to produce alot of cheap animation to use on OtakuHELL. Getting folks to record dialogue could be a trick, but making colorful animation in MOHO or Flash wouldn't be a problem. I see it as a sort of combination of kiddie cartoon show and a bit of variety tossed in for flair. I'd like to invite local bands to play a couple of songs for the show, I'm thinking an hour format, but this is just a daydream at this point.

Still, it'd be fun...

Recently moved outta my NetFlix queue 9:18 AM

Something interesting about the Something Weird Video DVDs, the DVDs produced through Image Entertainment are DVD-9, Single Side Dual Layered 8.5 GB media. The Image Entertainment DVDs are also usually have 4 color printing on the disc. The DVDs produced by Something Weird Video alone are DVD-5, Single Side Single Layered 4.5 GB media with etched printing on the disc. Very interesting quality, too.