"We're superheroes...."
"We can save the world together..."
...Huh? Oh, sorry. It's been a while since I did an update, so here you go. I'm not currently working on anything. But, I will eventually get around to the Abridged Knights of Brawl: Bjohn's Quest and Reycralibur, episode 12. You can expect to see Bjohn's Quest first.
If you saw my little test video back in July, you might have guessed that I was trying go get back to doing Brawl machinima. You'd be right, but there's a catch. I'm planning two new series; both of which are adaptations and re-imaginings of infamous web serials. I'll give you a hint, I've already adapted one of them as an Abridged Parody and the other one is a certain web comic you might have heard about in the past.
However, there's a catch. First off, with the lack of interest I have in Reycralibur, I fear that I might show the same "work ethic" when it comes to these new shows. So, for the sake of productivity, I'm going to finish the final five episodes of Reycralibur first. Secondly since, by some miracle, I haven't sold off my GameCube controllers, I'm gonna wait until the new GameCube adapter, included with Super Smash Bros for Wii U, comes out before I start filming. Saves me the trouble of buying those god awful Wiimotes and Nunchucks.
Finally, since I will be using my PVR for Brawl machinima, I need to figure out the proper settings that I should use for capturing, converting, and rendering. The only thing more frustrating then filming the test video was editing the test video. The end product was also unsatisfactory; I noticed some chopped frames. As you can see, there's A LOT of work to be done before I can even begin production.
So, in the meantime, I'm going to continue work on the projects I have now. ...At least I will, when I feel like it.
..."Life is what we make it..."
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Canadian Television is Boring
When Spike claims to have television's most intriguing content, they aren't kidding! In fact, a lot of my favorite networks are all owned by Viacom. Their Canadian counterparts, original or imported, are no substitute from the hours I spend watching their networks. Action, despite its name, doesn't get as much action as Spike does. MuchVibe, an all urban music video spinoff isn't enough of a distraction from BET's Canadian feed - which is one-third music videos from around 2007! Hell, MTV is a lot less appealing then Much but, as you all know by now, I'd rather watch MTV2.
Shall I go on? Much like MTV, CMT has become a lifestyle network, but one that never forgets it's southern roots. CMT Canada is in name only and, aside from actually supporting country music, serves of another example of how Corus' ruined niche television. Comedy Gold and Dejaview lack the iconic shows that make up TV Land's lineup. Do I even need to compare Comedy Central to the Comedy Network nowadays? Thanks to years of relying on Central's programming and Much's new comedy gimmick, Network is now the new BiteTV. In fact, BiteTV arguably has a better line up than Comedy Network, and it's owned the same company that owns a music network that actually focuses on music.
Let's take it a step further. Adult Swim Canada and Teletoon at Night severely lack the diversity the O.G Adult Swim has. G4 in Canada might have finally returned to programming related to technology but it's a snoozefest compared to the slate on it's american counterpart. Yes, the same network that has all but been abandoned by Comcast, is still more interesting to watch than it's northern spinoff despite the fact that it is now a wasteland. Go figure.
See the problem is that, with the exception of MuchVibe, Canadian networks play it safe, and stick to what makes them money. American networks on the other hand, are more willing to take risks with what they can and can't do. It's precisely that reason why FX and AMC networks have become so well regarded in recent years. The moral of the story is: if it ain't broke, then don't just fix it, MAKE IT BETTER!
...Or just don't do what Corus, Bell, and Comcast are doing.
Shall I go on? Much like MTV, CMT has become a lifestyle network, but one that never forgets it's southern roots. CMT Canada is in name only and, aside from actually supporting country music, serves of another example of how Corus' ruined niche television. Comedy Gold and Dejaview lack the iconic shows that make up TV Land's lineup. Do I even need to compare Comedy Central to the Comedy Network nowadays? Thanks to years of relying on Central's programming and Much's new comedy gimmick, Network is now the new BiteTV. In fact, BiteTV arguably has a better line up than Comedy Network, and it's owned the same company that owns a music network that actually focuses on music.
Let's take it a step further. Adult Swim Canada and Teletoon at Night severely lack the diversity the O.G Adult Swim has. G4 in Canada might have finally returned to programming related to technology but it's a snoozefest compared to the slate on it's american counterpart. Yes, the same network that has all but been abandoned by Comcast, is still more interesting to watch than it's northern spinoff despite the fact that it is now a wasteland. Go figure.
See the problem is that, with the exception of MuchVibe, Canadian networks play it safe, and stick to what makes them money. American networks on the other hand, are more willing to take risks with what they can and can't do. It's precisely that reason why FX and AMC networks have become so well regarded in recent years. The moral of the story is: if it ain't broke, then don't just fix it, MAKE IT BETTER!
...Or just don't do what Corus, Bell, and Comcast are doing.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Building a Website
http://speedy149.wordpress.com/
I thought about getting a new website for my blog, somewhere far away from the Google machine. But, ultimately I've decided to stick around here. I'm a minimalist kind of guy when it comes to design. I'll keep the Wordpress site open, just in case.
I thought about getting a new website for my blog, somewhere far away from the Google machine. But, ultimately I've decided to stick around here. I'm a minimalist kind of guy when it comes to design. I'll keep the Wordpress site open, just in case.
Thursday, 24 July 2014
New Blog. Because I feel like it.
http://speedy149.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/re-the-rise-and-fall-of-muchmusic/
Monday, 21 July 2014
Why I Let E! Canada Get Away With it
E! is all about celebrities and pop culture, right? Well, if by "pop culture" you mean popular shows, like Saved by the Bell, and franchises like CSI, then the Canadian version has that covered. I'd never expect that on the American version, since, despite it's premise, is still a female-skewing network in NBCU's portfolio. That being said, it was either talk shows & drama reruns or the U.S schedule of Sex & the City and the K-Word.
...Yeah, I thought so. As long as they aren't in-name only, like MTV2, E! can do whatever the hell they want.
...Yeah, I thought so. As long as they aren't in-name only, like MTV2, E! can do whatever the hell they want.
Fave Five: Channels I don't like, Vol. 2
* IFC (Canada)
When OLN became a sports channel and Bravo became a fashion channel or whatever it is, their Canadian counterparts couldn't follow suite because of their respective licences. Instead, they kept their names but changed their logos and expanded upon what they were allowed to do: OLN added more adventure programming (and reality shows), while Bravo began adding more dramas.
By now, IFC should have already done this. They are the basic cable equivalent of a premium channel, airing both indie and mainstream films uncut as well as premium series. Shaw Media should have taken advantage of this along time ago, especially since Bell Media now has exclusive rights to the U.S version's programming.
They have time to rebrand two networks that nobody gives a crap about into two more networks that nobody gives a crap about. Yet, they don't have the time to rebrand IFC or even launch an HD feed? Really? Bottom line: Showcase 2 HD. Flippin' do it!
* CMT (Canada)
I have no idea why Viacom still owns a stake in this service. CMT in Canada doesn't air any of CMT's shows - or at least the ones I care about - and their programming lineup has little to do with country music or southern culture (as far as I can care). If CMT Canada is to be applauded for something it's for giving a crap about country music to the point of airing more of it than Much or MuchMore does with mainstream music. Yes, MuchMore, because M3 isn't a music network.
The problem with Corus Entertainment is that they don't program for anyone except women and children. With the exception of the Teletoon family of channels and Sundance Channel, they believe niche isn't nice. The only reason why CMT is still called CMT is because of some controversy that happened when this network first launched.
Well, it's 2014 and CMT Canada is clearly doing it's own thing. Unless you want to associate your brand with the channel that created Mom's a Medium, I'd say it's time to bury the hatchet and give this network a proper makeover.
* Every new Canadian channel that launched/was announced in the last few months
Gusto TV is the only channel we might need, everything else is a waste of space.
* G4 (U.S and Canada)
Esquire Network is doing fine, Oxygen is getting a rebrand, and Fearnet is dissolving into Chiller and Syfy. Nice work, NBCUniversal, but aren't you forgetting something? You know? That one network that you've literately left rotting since 2012. The network that you were supposed to rebrand but kept putting it off until you decided to just say "screw it"? Yes, I'm talking about G4! It's bad enough that NBCUniversal and Comcast don't know how to run a network, but the fact that they won't even shut it down is just pathetic. Seriously guys, DO SOMETHING!
...And what are you smirking about Rogers? The only reason I cut some slack off the Canadian version is because they at least know now what they're supposed to air. Other than that, the channel is in the same boat as G4; It's obsolete. If by some miracle SOMEONE will SOMETHING with G4, the american version can start over from scratch. They can become a companion channel to Syfy and Chiller or they can cut the bull completely and just become a male entertainment channel.
The best direction I can think of for the Canadian version is to become a technology-related entertainment channel. Otherwise, between OLN and the FX franchise, I'd say Rogers is at the end of their rope with this brand. I want G4 to stick to the "geeky Spike TV" gimmick because we already have enough generic lifestyle channels. Besides, with websites like Machinima.com providing our fix, the infotainment genre is just dead air.
5) Take a Guess (Canada)
I think I finally got the relationship between MTV and MTV2 figured out. MTV does scripted series, documentaries, and studio programming. While MTV2 is all about lifestyle and male-interest programming...and shows targeting teens apparently.
I have to say, MTV2 is perplexing to me. They could have just shown old MTV shows instead of airing marathons of old sitcoms. They could have also just did a plain old countdown show and savor the in-depth, cutting-edge bull for a network that actually cares about music. I like this channel, but I know it hasn't filled it's full potential yet. I don't think it has for many years.
If you like something, you have all the more right to criticize it. That's the only way it will get better. I like MTV2 and I want it to get better. So, I'm gonna call bullshit when I see it. ...Notice how I was talking about the U.S version and not the Canadian version. You already know how I feel about that channel.
When OLN became a sports channel and Bravo became a fashion channel or whatever it is, their Canadian counterparts couldn't follow suite because of their respective licences. Instead, they kept their names but changed their logos and expanded upon what they were allowed to do: OLN added more adventure programming (and reality shows), while Bravo began adding more dramas.
By now, IFC should have already done this. They are the basic cable equivalent of a premium channel, airing both indie and mainstream films uncut as well as premium series. Shaw Media should have taken advantage of this along time ago, especially since Bell Media now has exclusive rights to the U.S version's programming.
They have time to rebrand two networks that nobody gives a crap about into two more networks that nobody gives a crap about. Yet, they don't have the time to rebrand IFC or even launch an HD feed? Really? Bottom line: Showcase 2 HD. Flippin' do it!
* CMT (Canada)
I have no idea why Viacom still owns a stake in this service. CMT in Canada doesn't air any of CMT's shows - or at least the ones I care about - and their programming lineup has little to do with country music or southern culture (as far as I can care). If CMT Canada is to be applauded for something it's for giving a crap about country music to the point of airing more of it than Much or MuchMore does with mainstream music. Yes, MuchMore, because M3 isn't a music network.
The problem with Corus Entertainment is that they don't program for anyone except women and children. With the exception of the Teletoon family of channels and Sundance Channel, they believe niche isn't nice. The only reason why CMT is still called CMT is because of some controversy that happened when this network first launched.
Well, it's 2014 and CMT Canada is clearly doing it's own thing. Unless you want to associate your brand with the channel that created Mom's a Medium, I'd say it's time to bury the hatchet and give this network a proper makeover.
* Every new Canadian channel that launched/was announced in the last few months
Gusto TV is the only channel we might need, everything else is a waste of space.
* G4 (U.S and Canada)
Esquire Network is doing fine, Oxygen is getting a rebrand, and Fearnet is dissolving into Chiller and Syfy. Nice work, NBCUniversal, but aren't you forgetting something? You know? That one network that you've literately left rotting since 2012. The network that you were supposed to rebrand but kept putting it off until you decided to just say "screw it"? Yes, I'm talking about G4! It's bad enough that NBCUniversal and Comcast don't know how to run a network, but the fact that they won't even shut it down is just pathetic. Seriously guys, DO SOMETHING!
...And what are you smirking about Rogers? The only reason I cut some slack off the Canadian version is because they at least know now what they're supposed to air. Other than that, the channel is in the same boat as G4; It's obsolete. If by some miracle SOMEONE will SOMETHING with G4, the american version can start over from scratch. They can become a companion channel to Syfy and Chiller or they can cut the bull completely and just become a male entertainment channel.
The best direction I can think of for the Canadian version is to become a technology-related entertainment channel. Otherwise, between OLN and the FX franchise, I'd say Rogers is at the end of their rope with this brand. I want G4 to stick to the "geeky Spike TV" gimmick because we already have enough generic lifestyle channels. Besides, with websites like Machinima.com providing our fix, the infotainment genre is just dead air.
5) Take a Guess (Canada)
I think I finally got the relationship between MTV and MTV2 figured out. MTV does scripted series, documentaries, and studio programming. While MTV2 is all about lifestyle and male-interest programming...and shows targeting teens apparently.
I have to say, MTV2 is perplexing to me. They could have just shown old MTV shows instead of airing marathons of old sitcoms. They could have also just did a plain old countdown show and savor the in-depth, cutting-edge bull for a network that actually cares about music. I like this channel, but I know it hasn't filled it's full potential yet. I don't think it has for many years.
If you like something, you have all the more right to criticize it. That's the only way it will get better. I like MTV2 and I want it to get better. So, I'm gonna call bullshit when I see it. ...Notice how I was talking about the U.S version and not the Canadian version. You already know how I feel about that channel.
Saturday, 19 July 2014
Dumping Grounds and Branding
I wanna put into prescriptive why Mystery and Twist are getting rebranded. See, Action has TruTV shows, Slice has Bravo shows and the like, and if it weren't for the Travel Channel's shows and related fare, DTOUR would be no better. My point is, these two networks have no programming to call their own, original or acquired, they air programming from other networks instead. These are what I like to call "dumping grounds" and, if it were up to me, I would have them both shut down.
When launching a Canadian version of an international network, branding is everything. When FX premieres a new show, FXX and FX Canada premieres it as well. They even take it a step further and do things a little differently from their counterparts: The lineups between them have switched and FXX even premieres some of the shows (Fargo, Married, You're the Worst), that were meant for FX.
This is what separates them from the likes of MTV2 and IFC, which have both gone rogue. Hell, the only reason why IFC gets off scott free is because, where IFC in the U.S has become it's own thing, IFC in Canada still plays indie films. Same goes for OLN and bravo, which even traded in their American colors and became their own individual networks.
But that's for established brands. Shaw is launching a local version of a network that hasn't even found it's footing yet. Already, Shaw is in danger of trashing whatever value - i.e NONE, but I digress - the FYI branding has. It's in danger of becoming like G4 which, thanks to Rogers' management, is just as big a laughing stock in Canada as it is stateside. Or MTV2, which has degraded into "MTV2 with tampons." And the less said of CMT becoming half-country, half-crappy, the better.
This is all the more reason why I'm against launching local versions of international networks; I would rather import them instead. But as long as they are in capable hands, I wouldn't even mind a local version of WE tv. ...OK, maybe I would mind a little bit. Funimation Channel on the other hand....!
When launching a Canadian version of an international network, branding is everything. When FX premieres a new show, FXX and FX Canada premieres it as well. They even take it a step further and do things a little differently from their counterparts: The lineups between them have switched and FXX even premieres some of the shows (Fargo, Married, You're the Worst), that were meant for FX.
This is what separates them from the likes of MTV2 and IFC, which have both gone rogue. Hell, the only reason why IFC gets off scott free is because, where IFC in the U.S has become it's own thing, IFC in Canada still plays indie films. Same goes for OLN and bravo, which even traded in their American colors and became their own individual networks.
But that's for established brands. Shaw is launching a local version of a network that hasn't even found it's footing yet. Already, Shaw is in danger of trashing whatever value - i.e NONE, but I digress - the FYI branding has. It's in danger of becoming like G4 which, thanks to Rogers' management, is just as big a laughing stock in Canada as it is stateside. Or MTV2, which has degraded into "MTV2 with tampons." And the less said of CMT becoming half-country, half-crappy, the better.
This is all the more reason why I'm against launching local versions of international networks; I would rather import them instead. But as long as they are in capable hands, I wouldn't even mind a local version of WE tv. ...OK, maybe I would mind a little bit. Funimation Channel on the other hand....!
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