Fan To Pro - The Blog of Professional Geekery

Interview with Caitlin Ashberry of Mad Science

I come to you today to share a tale of science literacy, educational programming, and exploding goo.  Welcome to the world of Mad Science, a company that teaches kids in schools and summer camps about physics and chemistry by way of theatrical presentations.  I interview a presenter, Caitlin Ashberry, or as she is known at Mad Science, "Katie Kaboom."

An Interview with David Paritsky of "Sailor Moon The Movie"

So where to begin.

While doing my usual online surfing, I came across an interview at Nerdcaliber on a fan-made Sailor Moon Movie.  My reactions went as follows:

1. What?  Really?
2. Eh.
3. They did this with what kind of budget?
4. I need to interview these people.

So let's meet David Paritsky, the mad man who got this working, and what it's done for him.  He's got a degree in film and is currently working after graduation to get the right career.  I rather imagine anyone capable of creating a film adaption on his own is going to do fine . . .

Tales from the Ashcan: An Interview with Brock Heasley of SuperFogeys

Since I'm at Anime USA this weekend (and if you're within reasonable distance of DC, stop by and say hi!), I thought I'd take a different tack this time around and put up an interview I did with one of my fellow webcomics creators: Brock Heasley, creator and writer of the series SuperFogeys.

The oldest of four brothers, Brock grew up in Fresno, the “road to everywhere/destination of no one” of California.  Growing up, he was a member of such prestigious organizations as “The Nerd Herd,” “The Last Picked for Teams” and “They Who Eat Alone.”  During high school, he drew cartoons for the school paper and then got delusions of grandeur and began writing articles as well.  After graduating from California State University Fresno with a degree in graphic design, Brock combined both skills to launch the online comic The SuperFogeys, published by Th3rd World Studios, in order to save the world.  Has the world ended yet?  No?  Then it’s working.  In 2010, Brock co-created the online comic Monsterplex, which went on to win DC Comics’ Zuda competition.  Brock’s greatest accomplishment remains tricking his gorgeous wife Erin into marrying him in 2000.  Together with their three daughters Elora, Campbell and Violet, they live in Fresno and enjoy Pixar movies, dancing in the living room to good music and eating breakfast for dinner.

I had a chance to talk to him recently, and here's what he had to say.

Meet Kurt Sasso of Two Guys Talking

I met Kurt via Rob Barba - Kurt runs Two Guys Talking, a site focused on interviewing creative people in comics, games, and more.  It's a classic project that grew big and fast, and Kurt's had a lot of interesting experiences - so I'm picking his brains!

Interview With Neal Trotter of Game Zone Recreation

I first met Neal Trotter when I volunteered to speak at Kin-Yoobi con.  Over the years he's extended the range of his ambitions, and has now formed Game Zone Recreation, his own media company.  Mixing game development, animation and game events, and jounalism, Neal is carving out his own destiny.

Interview with Cailyn Leigh, Set Painter and Scare Actor

As All Hallow's Eve approaches, it seems fitting to interview a progeek who specializes in scares.  Cailyin Leigh is a set decorator who works year-round in theatre, but most notably, she is part of the team that creates Canada's Wonderland's Halloween Haunt.  In the weeks that lead up to the event, she designs and decorates scary mazes and haunted houses.  During the Haunt itself, she dons gory makeup and scares the bejeebers out of the park's patrons.  All in a night's work, right, Cailyn?

1. What kind of portfolio or qualifications did Wonderland want to see before hiring you?  Did past hobbies/jobs/other activities help prepare you for this?

When I first applied for the Halloween Haunt all I brought with me was my resume. My technical theatre resume. They already knew what my previous jobs were due to the online application so I brought with me the jobs I had done in the theatre world. As for qualifications; I would say having studied something artistic is what they were looking for.

Past hobbies I'm almost certain came in handy. I have always been interested in the arts be it theatre or fine art using paint or whatever else I could get my hands on. I was one of those that while in high school, my jeans were decorated with pictures in permanent marker. Halloween has also been a hobby you could say. The idea of dressing up and changing who you are fed the theatre person in me while the decorating the outside of my house fed the artist in me.

Interview with Leticia of Cretur Fetur

Needlefelting is the craft of using industrial-strength felt and sharp pointy things to make 3D sculptures.  I interview the needlefelting progeek, Leticia, about her craft and business.

1. How did you get into needlefelting?  How long did you do it as a hobby before making a business of it?

Oddly enough, while I was getting my degree in Fine Arts I always avoided the sculpture classes. But the classes were mandatory, so I had to take them eventually, near the time of my graduation – and I discovered that hey, this isn't bad after all! After I graduated I tried making stuffed animals and failed astoundingly. Then I saw something on the internet about needlefelting, and started reading about it and watching videos before taking the plunge and buying some supplies to try it out on my own. It had all the charm of fiber and the malleability of clay, plus there was no sewing involved. The first thing I made was my favorite animal, a hyena. And after a few more experiments in felting, I decided this was pretty much what I wanted to do with my life.

Interview with Smultron of Hawaii Kawaii

Smultron Rydstedt, the creator of Hawaii Kawaii , talks about how to make and market an image-based blog.

Interview with Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery of "Kill Shakespeare"

Friends, Progeeks, Comic book fans, lend me your ears.  And lend your eyes to "Kill Shakespeare," an ongoing comic that combines the best of the Bard with the best of modern storytelling.*  The story in "Kill Shakespeare" is an original one that picks up where numerous Shakespeare plays left off.  It is a fanfic of sorts, but don't let that put you off.  This which we call a fanfic by any other name would be as awesome.  Let's hear more from the series creators.

Interview: Cosplay for Japan

Jennifer Bentley is a fashion designer who is combining her geekiness with the power of good.  Using cosplay and the Internet, she is raising money for Japan's earthquake relief efforts.  She's having an eBay auction and the two lucky winners will get custom-made costumes.  Then she will make not one but both costumes in just one day, broadcasting the frenzy on Ustream, and donating the money.