Each of us has a destiny…

This past weekend was a complete whirlwind. We performed the first episode of the Live-Action Graphic Novel at the Alamo for the 8 PM performances of Alice in Wonderland. It was a crazy scene. As you probably already know, Alice’s opening weekend was bigger than Avatar’s. So there were a TON of people at the theater and the staff there was working their asses off. They had accidentally set us up in the wrong theater, which was also, say, a little nutty. But it all worked out in the end. The audience seemed to really love it. And there was a celebrity at the Sunday night performance, but more on that in a moment….

STAPLE! rocked. We had so much traffic at our table that I literally couldn’t keep up. We sold a ton of books, some shirts and some posters too. Then the performance came around and it could not have gone better–for a couple of reasons. First, it was the first time that we strung more than one episode together in a single performance. I was very curious to see if the audience would stop paying attention at some point, but, no, the 30-minute performance was totally engaging. But the second reason it went great was that audience. No doubt, the ideal audience for the show, the STAPLE! crowd really went nuts for it. They laughed at every laugh line, they gasped at the cliffhangers, and a bunch of folks actually stuck around the for the Q&A after, always a good sign.

On Sunday, I was on a panel at Dragon’s Lair. The turnout was small, but there were some really talented and smart people on the panel and I learned a LOT. I feel like such an interloper in the comic-book world and I have a ton of catch-up to do. But the other folks welcomed me in and we had a really nice time chatting.

Sunday night was our final Alice performance. This turned out to be the most responsive audience of all, which was a nice way to end a completely exhausting weekend. Our celebrity audience member? Robert Rodriguez. Not so say that The Intergalactic Nemesis is like the perfect combination of Sin City and Spy Kids or anything, but I wouldn’t mind getting a meeting with Troublemaker Films. Just sayin…

Giant thanks to everyone who came out. And particular thanks to Cody at the Alamo who really did make everything right again and again, to Alison King at Dragon’s Lair who lined up the panel, and to Chris Nicholas at STAPLE! whose tireless volunteer energy is truly an inspiration.

The past week has been an education in Final Cut Pro and I’ve got two videos to show for it. The first is a shoot of the Alamo show we did a couple of weeks ago. On each of the three nights we shot from a different angle, so we got pretty good coverage of the performance.

The other video uses footage I shot of Graham Reynolds, the composer, a couple of years ago, combined with recent footage of the production. In the video, Graham talks about the creation of the music, with samples showing what he’s talking about. I think it’s a pretty good behind-the-scenes look at the project. Enjoy!

It’s been non-stop activity here in the Effdilinplitzenpire Galaxy (home of The Intergalactic Nemesis). For starters, issue three of the comic-book series is in full-throttle. We should have that online in the next couple of weeks. The story just gets richer and richer. And we got some reviews of issue one!

“Superior storytelling … fun, action-packed adventure!” – Nexus Graphica

“Polished and professional … all the right elements!”- comicbookbin.com

And, we’re gonna be featured at STAPLE! on Saturday, March 6 at 4:30 PM when we perform the first two episodes of the Live-Action Graphic Novel back-to-back with a Q&A to follow. It’s at the Monarch Event Center:

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We reprise Episode One as a short before the feature screenings of Alice in Wonderland at the Alamo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And we’re signing books at Dragon’s Lair on Sunday from 1 to 5 PM. Whew!

Following our major announcement the other day, Mike Lee had me in at KUT’s Studio 1-B to chat about what we’re up to. Mike has been a long-time fan of Nemesis and, in fact, edited together one of the broadcasts of the radio drama back in 2001. More than that, Mike aired the original cassette-tape four-track recordings we made in 1996 as part of a program he helped host called “Soundsight”. I had a chance to acknowledge his years of support at the presentation I made the other day and now he’s planning on re-broadcasting the whole shebang and then a new recording as part of the ongoing series at KUT “O’Dark 30″. We’ll post the interview, which should air next week, as soon as it’s ready, but meanwhile, here are a couple of pix confirming that what I’ve written here is actually true!

For a major announcement, scroll down or click HERE!

Well, I never thought I’d say this, ever, but I’m sayin’ it now: we just sent issue two to the printer in China. Yes, China. Crazy. We should have it back in the next 4 to 6 weeks, hopefully by the time we’re doing our thing at Comicpalooza in Houston. Meantime, you can check it out HERE and also next week at STAPLE! where the Live-Action Graphic Novel will be featured at 4:30 PM on Saturday. Sweet!

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Welcome to a Transmedia Universe…

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AUSTIN, Texas– Show Dates Announced: The eagerly anticipated Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel Spectacular fulfills its destiny debuting in the new state-of-the-art 2,400-seat, Dell Hall at The Long Center on September 3 and 4 over Labor Day weekend 2010. In what might be a revelation to both theater goers and comic book fans alike, an unparalleled theatrical experience will take place with beautifully illustrated comic book artwork projected panel-by-panel on a huge 42′ x 24′ screen while three actors, one sound effect artist, and one keyboardist perform the voices, sound effects and music live. Ticket availability will be announced in the coming months. Let the countdown begin!

This cult hit began as a coffeehouse theatre experiment and has gone on to tour the country, selling out houses and winning rabid fans ages 9 to 90. In the latest, epic adventure of transmedia entertainment, Neulander boldly challenges how people consume theater, comics, and stories in a serial format by crafting a clever mix of artistry, technology, community partnerships, and good old-fashioned pizzazz. A series of sneak peaks and alternative formats will all culminate in a theatrical, Sci-Fi experience like none other, Labor Day weekend 2010.

Sneak Peak: For those who are eager to catch an early glimpse of the phenomenon, Live Shorts will take place at various Alamo Drafthouse locations every month through the summer. Episode One will be performed during opening weekend 7 p.m. performances of Alice in Wonderland, March 5, 6 and 7. Episode Two will play out during the opening weekend of Kick-Ass on April 16, 17 and 18.

Tune In: Towards the end of summer, fans can lean in and listen to The Intergalactic Nemesis Radio Drama on KUT 90.5 FM. This audio version of the story in serial form will broadcast throughout the month of August as part of KUT’s “O Dark 30” original series. The Radio Drama showcases a new cast recording featuring the script that toured the country from 2006 to 2009. (Flashback: KUT broadcast the original 10-episode version of the series in 1997 on Soundsight as well as broadcast a digital recording in 2002 for “Best of Public Radio.”)

Take It To Go: The Intergalactic Nemesis Mobile app is coming in late spring. The app will allow avid followers the ability to enjoy Intergalactic Nemesis on the go with a downloadable version of the comic book artwork with studio recordings of the voices, sound effects, and music. The prologue will be a free download, with each of the seven issues thereafter costing 99 cents. Each issue includes an additional commentary track, plus a “making of…” extra.

In Print: Intergalactic Nemesis the Comic Book is über-cool with a script from Jason Neulander, illustrations from Tim Doyle and color art from Paul Hanley and Lee Duhig. Issue #1 of seven hit the shelves in January and the remaining issues will roll out every six-to-eight weeks. Be among the first to grab these hot-off-the-presses comics and have them signed by Jason and Tim. Look for special signing events at Austin Books & Comics, Dragons Lair, Tribe Comics, Rogue Gallery and many more stores around Texas.

Group Experience: In addition, the comic book will be available at upcoming Comic Book Conventions STAPLE! in Austin on March 6 and Comicpalooza in Houston March 26 – 28. Not only will the comic book be sold at these events, but the Live-Action Graphic Novel Spectacular will be featured as a special event.

Partnership: The Intergalactic Nemesis is proud to announce a partnership with the Library Foundation, who will distribute copies of the comic books to local libraries and organize reading groups for families over the summer. “We feel this is the perfect pairing,” noted Jason Neulander. “This will extend our outreach into the community in an impactful way. Plus, Ben Wilcott, one of the major characters in The Intergalactic Nemesis, is a librarian!”

Back to School: Further strengthening ties in the community, The Intergalactic Nemesis will be presented in elementary schools. A live performance of portions of the show in the schools, followed by hands-on workshops with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will take place in May at Bryker Woods, Casis and Spicewood Elementary schools. Students will have the chance to perform the voices and sound effects from a selection of the show themselves.

The Intergalactic Nemesis managed by The Robot Planet, LLC, with investment led by Marc Seriff, co- founder of America Online. Other investors include entrepreneur Scott Reichardt and realtor Cord Shiflett.

ABOUT THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS:
The premise for The Intergalactic Nemesis is a period-action-sci-fi-horor-space-opera-adventure. The year is 1933. The Pulizter-winning reporter Molly Sloan and her intrepid assistant Timmy Mendez have stumbled across a series of murders foiled by a mysterious librarian from Flagstaff named Ben Wilcott. Together, the three heroes trek across Europe, North Africa, and beyond to thwart world-famous mesmerist Mysterion the Magnificent and what turns out to be an invasion of sludge-monsters from the planet Zygon.

The story was originally created in 1996 as a radio drama inspired by Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the classic pulp serials.

We had a blast last weekend performing Episode Two of the series before The Lightning Thief. The audience loved it, too. One of the cool parts of doing this is that we ask the audience to fill out surveys with their responses to the show--so we get immediate feedback in writing. A couple of people noted that they thought we were one of the coolest Alamo pre-show events they had ever seen. And we sold a BUNCH of comic books, a sure sign that folks had a great time. After we did our thing, during the feature, this mom and her son stepped out of the theater because the movie was too much for him. So to pass the time, well… you can see for yourself. I asked if I could take a picture because I thought this was waaaay too cute.

Here’s our incredible intern Kenny Dolin on being an intern:

Major announcement coming at the end of the week. Stay tuned!

Well, last night I had a music rehearsal with Peter Stopschinski, the phenomenally talented keyboard player and composer who will be doing the live music for the Live-Action Graphic Novel screening of Episode Two: Enter Stranger. The music sounds awesome. And the show is going to look great, too! Here are a handful of images that we’ll be projecting with the live voices, music, and sound effects. Did I mention that I’m actually going to be performing in this myself? Well, I am! Uh oh!

Check out the comic book HERE.
Get tickets for the Live-Action Graphic Novel HERE.

Well, after a frantic weekend of emails, scheduling, and sheer mayhem, we’ve landed on our final plan for our screenings at the Alamo this weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Episode Two: Enter Stranger, with live voices, music, and sound effects:

WHAT: The Intergalactic Nemesis, Live-Action Graphic Novel, Episode 2: Enter Stranger
WHEN: Feb. 12, 13, 14, opening for The Lightning Thief, 6:30 PM screenings ONLY
WHERE: The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, South Lamar
TICKETS: This will sell out. Purchase advance tix here.

The past few days have been crazy-busy. The big thing is that we’re making a major announcement on Feb. 18 that will be a real game-changer for the project. Definitely keep your ears peeled for this one. Meantime, working out the details of our screening next weekend at the Alamo–episode two is either going to play as announced before the 7:40 PM screenings of Wolfman or the 7 PM screenings of The Lightning Thief. Check back here because my next posting should clarify things!

On a less chaotic side, Tim Doyle is hard at work on issue three of the series. You can check out those pages HERE.