Maxine Janus - Quickdraw

Agent Maxine Janus prepares to defend herself after she is spotted!

Thanks to Samantha Rowell for modelling for us, as well as our producer, Brooke Fox!

The Crest of the Seekers

Let our hands hold the night,
‘Til open their eyes come.
Let our lanterns hold the light,
‘Til against us there stand none.

Let our palms tip the scales,
‘Til magic finds its symmetry.
Let the memories of those fallen,
Be the hammer of our destiny.

Hail to thee, friend and foe,
Hail to thee, gray death.
To thy every challenge I go,
With every waking breath.

–Song of the Torch-Bearer,
Hymn of The Seekers of the Arcane Unknown

Mithra Vara - Magician

Agent Mithra Vara prepares to dazzle with his stage trickery, but little does the audience realize–the magic is real! Thanks so much to Roy Chase for volunteering for this shoot! Thanks also to production assistants Chris Bupp and Barbara Attilio, as well as the intrepid producer Brooke Fox!

Just so all of you know, I’ve still been podcasting! Stephen Granade of “What the Cast” and I have a podcast called “Disasterpiece Theatre.” Interested? Here’s a bit about it:

“Disasterpiece Theatre is a podcast where we imagine the most tragically-possible, bad Hollywood movie ideas!  We take everyone’s favorite actors and directors and misappropriate them in bone-chillingly realistic fashion.  Love Ghostbusters?  What if they made a third one… from the directors of “Scary Movie”?  How about Milla Jovovich in a heartwarming family piece?  The result is a truly groan-worthy pitch, as well as comedy gold.”

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Mickey Fox - Experienced Operative

Here’s another operative for our card game– The Gearheart: The Arcane Unknown.

Mickey Fox brings his battle-worn fists to bear on any problem! Thanks to Joseph Johnston for being such a hard-looking dude! Thanks also to producer Brooke Fox for accompanying us into the harsh cold at a moment’s notice!

Wilma Jones - Born Leader

Here’s another operative for our card game– The Gearheart: The Arcane Unknown.

Agent Wilma Jones stands before her two goons, ready to send them into battle. Thanks so much to Ashley Nicole for her role as Wilma Jones, and to Mike Wilson and Ryan McKannan for the goons. Produced by Brooke Fox. Production assistance by Barbara Attilio.

Are you going that most illustrious of events, Balticon? See us there! I’ve made a handy-dandy post of our schedule below:

5/27/11 6:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Chesapeake
Track: New Media
New Independent Voices in New Media
Who’s new in Podcasting

Podcasting has evolved massively in the last 7+ years. During that time lots of independent voices have come and gone. Who’s still out there, who has faded, and most importantly who are the new voices you should be listening to?

5/27/11 10:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Derby
Track: New Media

Sound Design & Extreme Audio Effects

Our expert panel of professional sound designers and audio engineers will explore various topics and techniques surrounding sound design and the art and science of extreme audio effects. They will share insider tips and tricks to help you squeeze strange and unworldly tones and textures out of the equipment you already own, inspire you to build and record uncommon noise makers, and to turn ordinary sounds into sonic landscapes designed to enhance your next multi-media project. They will cover both basic and advanced recording, tweaking and extreme manipulation techniques to provide you with the take-away know-how to shake awake audiences and transport them to strange new worlds.

5/28/11 9:00 AM
Duration: 03:00
Room: Derby
Track: New Media

Master’s Session: Audio Excellence in Podcasting (3 hrs)

Our panel of expert audio enthusiasts will discuss various topics surrounding audio engineering for spoken word, music, and everything in between. They will help you get the best sound out of the equipment you have, help you pick the next piece of important equipment within your budget, and help you avoid burnout by streamlining your workflow to shorten the time you spend editing audio. The audience is encouraged to bring questions and even samples of problems they are having with their own work.

5/28/11 4:00 PM
Duration: 00:50
Room: Salon D
Track: Readers

Antigone’s Wrath – Full Cast Live Reading

Join us for a full cast live reading of an excerpt of ANTIGONE’S WRATH, a Steampunk adventure of worldly proportions! Meet Captain Rachel Sterling and set sail on the airship ANTIGONE’S WRATH! Journey from England to Ecuador and Singapore to Somalia in the newest novel by Starla Huchton. Magical inventions, dastardly villains and legends of the ancient world await you on an escapade you’ll never forget!

5/28/11 7:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Chesapeake
Track: New Media

Creating The Brand
Crafting a Recognizable Presence for Your Podcast

Our panel of professionals take you through the perilous journey of creating a concrete presence for their podcasts. Learn what you’ll need, who to hire and what questions to ask. Formulate a sensible budget for your story and create a brand that will attract more listeners than ever before.

5/29/11 3:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Derby
Track: New Media

Dynamic Voice Acting

Is your dramatic podcast feeling a little flat? The Gearheart’s Alex White takes guests and plays games with them to increase the emotional potency of their readings. Harness your local talent and bring a new dimension to your podcast!

5/29/11 4:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Chesapeake
Track: New Media

Improv Comedy Jam

Our panel of would-be comedians get up and flex their creative muscles. Join them for an hour of improv comedy.

5/29/11 7:00 PM
Duration: 01:00
Room: Derby
Track: New Media

Women Podcaster’s Roundtable

Our panel of crack podcasters will talk review the year in podcasting and talk about the pressing issues of the day; and all this from the female point of view. Discussions will include talks of equipment, time management, monitization, and more.

5/29/11 8:00 PM
Duration: 00:50
Room: Maryland Foyer
Track: Autographings

Mur Lafferty, Renee White and Christiana Ellis
Autograph Session

Mur Lafferty, Renee White and Christiana Ellis Autograph Session

5/29/11 11:00 PM
Duration: 00:30
Room: Pimlico
Track: Readers

Alex White — Reading

Alex White reads from Maiden Flight of the Avenger.

We hope to see you all there!

Augustus finally confronts his enemies in a battle in the skies!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

So I am halfway done recording episode 8 of Maiden Flight. I have all of the voices and music I’ll need to complete the series. However, one of the worst storm systems in Alabama’s history swept through on Wednesday and knocked out our power plant. All three units were tripped at the nuclear plant, and the transmission lines running to it were decimated.

Sadly, the supplies to finish the rest of the episode are in my powerless studio. So for the time being, everything will have to wait. I apologize for the delay.

Here’s the last extended track for you! Keep an eye out for more stuff coming soon, including a Collector’s Edition CD!