Groonk's Newsmine 2.0: Tutorials Archives

April 01, 2008

You Need a Lesson. You Dig?

How to Speak Hip

Don't be a drag, man.

(via skyelab)

Posted by Groonk at 07:37 AM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Digital Share, Grammar, History, Tutorials

November 09, 2007

COMICS: Learn from the Best Why Don't You?

There are days that I love the internet more than peanut butter cookies and coffee.

The Comic Book Script Archive
An online resource for comic books scripts

(via comicbookscripts)

Posted by Groonk at 02:34 AM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Comics, Google-fied, Research, Tutorials

October 24, 2007

"Surviving the Zombie Attack" as Told Through Paper

I've found a new site to haunt...er... brain-eat.

(via digg, common craft )

Posted by Groonk at 06:28 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Blogged, Funny, Holiday, Just Freaking Neat, Tutorials, Video

June 03, 2007

DOCTOR WHO Theme: How it was Made, 80s Style

By the power of Thor! I've opened some sort of Geek Floodgate.

(via inside home recording, doctor who themed youtube)

Posted by Groonk at 02:30 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Just Freaking Neat, Tutorials, Video

April 06, 2007

HOWTO: Create Your Own Google Map

You may now "Create personalized, annotated, customized maps using Google Maps."

Creating a map is easy. Here are the basic steps:
1. Go to Google Maps.
2. Click My Maps > Create new map.
3. Add a title and description for your map. You can make your map public or unlisted. Learn more.
4. Use the icons in the the top right corner of the map.

(via the engine)

Posted by Groonk at 01:23 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Google-fied, Tutorials

January 15, 2007

Kung Fu Monkey Learns You about the TV Biz

John Rogers of the Kung Fu Monkey blog, and directing the most famous none aired pilot ever(Global Frequency), talks a bit about the business of TV, the troubles with the 22 episode season, why some of your shows get cancelled and supposition on where TV may go in the future.

This is actually a good moment to break down how television actually works, as Dan's completely understandable misconception is quite common. Networks don't make shows. Networks buy shows. And they don't even buy the whole goddam thing. Studios make shows. They usually, as I've noted before, deficit finance a show, where they pay the bulk of the production costs and the network pays a fraction of the per-episode expense. It is a symbiotic relationship -- the studio retains ownership, and so can reap the benefits of a popular show through (not so much now) syndication and (the only thing keeping Hollywood alive) DVD sales. The network got the advertising revenue, and could jack up those prices if a show was popular.
[...]

When your nominal buyer becomes your employee, things gets weird. We've already seen situations where a network's continued a doomed show up through 13 episodes so that the box set will recoup some expenses for the studio. Whedon's Angel very much died because the WB realized they were just advertising for 20th Century Fox's box sets. Although the network in theory has final say on what shows they pick up, there are stories in recent years about one network where the network execs weren't even allowed in the room while the studio suits did the fall schedule.

(read full article: "Nobody gets Rich, Everybody Gets Paid ")

Posted by Groonk at 11:36 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Culture, Tutorials, USA

January 06, 2007

James Gunn Rules over the Dead

This is not really Myth and not exactly Grammar. I'm just covering my bases so I'm sure to run into it in later searches. Ever since my History of English Language class my fascination with the etymology of names shot up 200%:

1.Is your last name really Gunn? Cuz that's freakin' cool. 2. Were you buds with Rooker prior to Slither? – Mike
Yes, that's really my last name. My original family name (in Ireland) was MacGilGunn. My relatives there now are all named GilGunn. My grandparents shortened it to Gunn when they came over, to avoid anti-Irish bias (there was such a thing back then).

But even cooler is the origin of the name. MacGilGunn means Sons to the Servants of the God of the Dead. Gunn means "God of the Dead." I shit you not.

And, no, I wasn't friends with Rooker prior to SLiTHER, but I was a big, big fan.

That comes from James Gunn's first blog of the year 007. He did SLiTHER and DAWN OF THE DEAD and SCOOBY DOO and lots of other things. ANGEL fans make a note. The character of Charles Gunn was named after James and Sean Gunn(brothers ya know.

There are lots of other writing and screenwriting questions answered in this particular blog, too.

(via james gunn and possibly james gunn's god)

Posted by Groonk at 04:28 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Culture, Grammar, Myth, Tutorials

November 06, 2006

HOW TO: Gain Godlike Acting or Writing Skills

The husband wife team of James Gunn(SLiTHER, DAWN OF THE DEAD) and Jenna Fischer(THE OFFICE,LOLLILOVE) shared some advice on their respective professions. Let's have a look, shall we?

Remember, these are 8 TRICKS, not 8 RULES. I believe each of these gives a person a greater chance at becoming a successful screenwriter. But NONE of them are NECESSARY to becoming a screenwriter (although the last one comes pretty close.) Here goes:
1) Write at least 3 hours a day 6 days a week.

2) Move to Los Angeles. Of if you can't do L.A., move to New York.

3) Spell check, of course, but also make a pass checking for "its" and "it's", "their" and "there," "your" and "you're", and so on.

4) Don't even think about trying to get an agent until you have completed your best possible work.

5) Don't blame others for your failures as a screenwriter. By assessing your own responsibilities, and learning from your failures, you supercharge yourself and become unstoppable!! (NOTE: it's good to read this trick out loud and pump your fist up in the air while doing so).

6) Got friends who like to cut you down and tell you "this isn't possible" and "that can't be done"? Lose 'em.

7) On the flipside, have 3 good objective readers, who are very honest, even harsh, and who have your best interests at heart. (Mary Harron agreed with this trick, but added that you should make sure the objective readers at least somewhat share your tastes -- that is, they have the same goals you do).

8) FINISH WHAT YOU START. Are you doubting what you write? Are you starting to think it's crap? Good! That's a part of being a writer! We are doubting, tortured, angst-filled souls, and all it takes to be a writer is to write in the face of that!!

So those are the tricks.
(via myspace james gunn)

Fischer actually went into great detail in her blog about her experiences in the world of professional Hollywood. The entire entry is worth the read if you have any aspirations for working in the entertainment biz, whether you want to be an actor or a writer.

I know how hard it can be when you first get out here. Go out and meet as many people as you can. Create a family for yourself of creative, supportive people. AND, don't stop your personal life for your career. I know a lot of people that wait to do things - visit family, friends, have relationships, get married - because they are waiting until they "make it". Or, they don't go to a friend's wedding because they might "miss something". Life is too short and it's not worth it in the end. I always took off and did that stuff and it turned out fine. I was often anxious and worried in the process but I did it. I believe that in order for my professional life to move forward, I have to keep my personal life moving forward as well.
I wouldn't be where I am today if not for my husband James. He is the one who convinced me to quit my job as a secretary (ironically) and focus full time on acting. I didn't totally believe I could make it but he did. He supported us financially and supported me emotionally. He ran lines with me and coached me before countless auditions. He put up with my highs and lows. He was, and still is, my biggest cheerleader. And, you need that out here.
(via myspace jenna fischer)

UPDATE: Gunn has decided to do a series of posts on how to break into the film biz.

Posted by Groonk at 04:27 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Blogged, Interviews, Tutorials, USA

July 07, 2006

Google Wants You To Draw

Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. And once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies.

Google SketchUp is free for personal use. No registration is required.

(via Make Podcast: how to make a workbench)

Posted by Groonk at 06:30 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Google-fied, Just Freaking Neat, Tutorials

March 28, 2006

The iPod Book is mad genius

View the entire photo set.

The iPod Book
Originally uploaded by DoctaBu.

HOWTO: Make an iPod Book(the instigator)

Posted by Groonk at 07:51 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Flickrlicious, Just Freaking Neat, Tutorials

March 05, 2006

HOW TO: Make Life Sized Posters

The Mike Matas Blog gives instructions on how to make a life poster.

for example

I was sure The Rasterbator was already in my archives. I was wrong.

The Rasterbator is a web service which creates huge, rasterized images from any picture. The rasterized images can be printed and assembled into extremely cool looking posters up to 20 meters in size.

Posted by Groonk at 04:21 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Art, Tutorials

January 29, 2006

HOW TO: Video Podcast

As taught by french maids.

FRENCH MAIDS, man!

French maids.

Posted by Groonk at 01:55 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Funny, Podcast, Sex, Tutorials, Video

January 13, 2006

ASIFA Hollywood Animation Archive

Now that's a mouthful of cartooning archiving blog.

The International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood has embarked on an ambitious project to expand the offerings of the current ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Center in Burbank to include a virtual archive, museum, library and research facility for the benefit of the animation community, students and general public.

[...]

The database will contain a wide range of material... illustration and print cartoons catagorized by subject and artist; all kinds of animation art from character designs and model sheets to animation drawings and background paintings. Movies of pencil tests and key scenes by famous animators will be included, as will audio files documenting the work of major voice over artists. All of the digital files will be accessible by a simple keyword search. Artists will be able to quickly see different approaches to the design of a specific subject, research the work of artists who interest them, and gain inspiration from the rich history of animation.

Of note to me: Cartooning self-taught.

(via boingboing)

Posted by Groonk at 05:29 AM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Blogged, Tutorials

December 19, 2005

Anatomy of an Icon

Simple Bits has a tutorial on building your own icons.

attention la class

(via simple bits)

Posted by Groonk at 04:06 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Tutorials, Web Design

November 08, 2005

Another Lesson in Making a Career in Comics

What follows is the gist of Adam Fortier's (Speakeasy Comics)article:

How To Succeed In Comics (Without Really Trying) #2

# Don't use fancy words if you don't know how to use them
# Know what points you want to make before you need to articulate them
# Keep It Simple Stupid
# If you're misunderstood, take responsibility for how it was interpreted
# Repeat message until understood

Be sure to visit the first part of these series.

Posted by Groonk at 05:43 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Comics, Tutorials

November 05, 2005

Greg Pak

Greg Pak made the damn awesome robot themed anthology sci-fi film "Robot Stories" and he's also writing comics.

And he also has a handy filmhelp guide for those wishing to join the flimmaking community.

Posted by Groonk at 03:39 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Blogged, Comics, Movies, Tutorials

October 05, 2005

Worlds within worlds within worlds

This tutorial starts 10 million light years from the Earth then moves in until you see the quarks on the leaf of a tall oak tree just outside the buildings of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida.

(via medicmike)

Posted by Groonk at 06:16 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Science, Tutorials

April 28, 2005

Photoshop Techniques

Insane Photoshop Techniques that is.

Posted by Groonk at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | Ministry of Tutorials

March 24, 2005

Internet Chat Acronyms

I've been networthy for around 10 years now. I swear most of these acronyms were gibberish to me:

A/S/L -- Age/Sex/Location
AWGTHTGTTA -- Are We Going To Have To Go Through This Again

CRTLA -- Can't Remember the Three-Letter Acronym

ESO -- Equipment Smarter than Operator

GLYASDI -- God Loves You And So Do I

OLL -- OnLine Love

POS -- Parent Over Shoulder

QT -- Cutie

RBTL -- Read Between The Lines

RTBS -- Reason To Be Single

RUMORF -- Are You Male Or Female?

SOHF -- Sense Of Humor Failure

SSEWBA -- Someday Soon, Everything Will Be Acronyms

SMAIM -- Send Me An Instant Message

SO -- Significant Other

TEOTWAWKI -- The End Of The World As We Know It

TIAIL -- Think I Am In Love

TOM -- Tomorrow

WYCM -- Will You Call Me?

X-I-10 -- Exciting

YDKM -- You Don't Know Me

YOYO -- You're On Your Own