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Where Did I Put Those 3-D Glasses?

2006-11-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a rather interesting blog called Angry Puppet Films. This blogger has decided to take 3-D images of animators as well as reporting on the progress of his own stop-motion film he is working on.

New York's Central Park West - An Architectural Tour

2006-11-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

For those who appreciate diverse architecture visit Aaron's Architectural Tour of New York's Central Park West. This is a building by building trip along Central Park West. There's not a lot of background information about the buildings but you can still enjoy the art of various styles of architecture that abound here.

Vacation Photo Tips

2006-10-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

The company everyone loves to hate provides some good advice on their own software as well as ideas for more effectively using your tech equipment whether it be computers or cameras. Microsoft has an article titled: 6 Tips for Super Vacation Snapshots. The advice they offer is good for those amateurs taking vacation pictures with their digital cameras. It's not bad advice for those who someday hope to become professionals either. If you haven't visited the Microsoft site, this is an excellent opportunity to give them a try. Explore the site. You'll be amazed at what you find.

Online Community for Student Artists

2006-10-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

That's how 5oup (not a typo) defines itself. Student artists are encouraged to register. After doing so they can submit a 10-image portfolio and have a world wide audience. At this writing the site had 860 user profiles available. The students have studied at colleges and universities all over the world. There are forums where artists can share experiences and ask questions from those with more experience. There are also international postings of jobs and internships.

So What Else Can You Do with an iPod Besides Play Music & Videos?

2006-10-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

If Music and Videos aren't enough for you then you must visit 50 Fun Things to Do with Your iPod. While the iPod architecture is fairly closed, hackers have still been able to get in and figure some new shortcuts. There are some interesting ideas. Some may fall outside of the legal limits of use but I'm certain you'll skip over those and go to the more appropriate uses.

Alcoholic Comics

2006-10-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Most of us grew up with comics like Superman, Spiderman, and Mickey Mouse. But there are other comics out there as well. This is one of those alternative comics. At Ethan Presoff's site you can see the complete set of Alcoholic Anonymous comic strips from 1968-1974. If you go to Ethan's home page you can find additional comics from the past. Here is just a sampling of the titles: "If an A-Bomb Falls" (1951), "The H-Bomb and You," (1954), "In Tune with Fun" (1950's Accordion Comics), and a lot more than I can mention here. If you'd like to see some non-traditional comics this site seems to have quite a collection.

Your Photo Could Appear in National GeographicYour

2006-08-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

That's right! National Geographic (NG) is inviting photographers to submit a photo each month. The first 5,000 received are judged by the staff of NG. The winning photo will be published in NG. There are a lot of rules to follow to protect you and NG from copyright problems in the future. Read the rules very carefully. Every month there is a different theme for the contest. Best of luck to all who enter the National Geographic Your Shot competition.

WNET presents "The Series"

2006-08-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Apparently the EGG is sponsored by Channel 13, WNET, of New York. It starts by loading the silhouette of a rooster/hen (?) walking around the screen grabbing stray kernels of corn. The menu will take the viewer on a tour of visual slide shows. I think the emphasis is on discovering just what is art. I'm sure this will not be to everyone's taste and their may be some nude images so use parental control when visiting the EGG.

Master of 1,000 Faces

2006-03-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

None other than the great silent film star, Lon Chaney, bore that title. The Lon Chaney Home Page contains links to many sources of information about this master actor/makeup artist of the silent era. Find about his amazing career, his life on and off the screen. Something for everyone involved in the performing arts.

Monsters, Horror, Gore... But Not Sci-Fi

2006-03-21T12:01:00.000-08:00

Anyone aspiring to create comic book art definitely needs to visit MonsterMags. As a historical reference it's simply magnificent. Many of the great fantasy artists have created cover art for magazines like Eerie, Creepie, Vampirella, and more. View the cover art from these classics in the industry. Warning: This art is not to everyone's taste and some might find it offensive.

Text, Graphics, and Animation

2006-03-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

Using geometric matrices, text, and animation techniques available with Flash, Locus Novus creates some interesting media presentations. It's difficult to describe so I'll just recommend you go out and visit.

Service in National Security

2006-01-18T23:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought you might like working for the CIA? Why not visit their recruiting site on the Internet? The very first thing you run into at this site is the Myth of the CIA and that's just what it is. You don't have to look good in a tuxedo or have a black belt in karate. Many of the jobs available at the CIA are the same types of jobs any major corporation would support. Take a look and see what they have available. Then look at yourself and see if you measure up.

Journalists Take Note

2006-01-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

All journalists at The Economist are given a style book. This book contains the rules and conventions all journalists must use when writing for the magazine. The Economist Style Guide is an abbreviated online version of this style book. They even have a quiz that you can take based on their style guidelines. Could you qualify as a journalist for the Economist?

Great Books Online

2006-01-09T17:39:00.000-08:00

That's how Bartleby's lists itself. And it is most accurate. It represents an entire collection of reference books at the best possible price. Free! Everything from Strunk & White's Elements of Style, Bartlett's Quotation, Gray's Anatomy, and more. This should definitely be on every student's favorite list and also on the list of anyone who doesn't own their own reference library.

Sign Language Browser

2006-01-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Sign language is one method of communication for those with a hearing or speech impairment. The American Sign Language Browser, sponsored by Michigan State University, is a way in which signers and non signers can find thousands of different words translated to sign language. Small Quicktime movies are loaded repeatedly demonstrating the sign. A CD-ROM is also available for a modest fee.

250 Squared

2006-01-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

Twofifty is a site with a unique criteria for gallery entries. The "...site is a showcase for digital artwork, strictly 250 by 250 pixels in dimensions and on various platforms including GIF, PNG, JPEG, Java, DHTML, Flash and Shockwave." If you would like to view the works of others or possibly submit a piece of your own click on the submit tab near the top of the home page.

Home of Indies on PBS

2005-12-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

PBS carries a program entitled The Independent Lens. It is a showcase for independent films that range from documentary to full length drama to collections of shorts.

"Airing weekly on PBS, the Emmy award-winning series Independent Lens is like an independent film festival in your living room. Each episode introduces new documentaries and dramas made by independent thinkers: filmmakers who are taking creative risks, calling their own shots and finding untold stories in unexpected places."

This is a "must visit" for anyone thinking about making movies.

Free iPod Mini Case

2005-12-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

Nordstrom is currently giving away a free iPod mini case for this month. I just found out about it this morning. You will need to print an online coupon available at the Nordstrom site.
If you're not using a broadband connection, it will take some time to load and you have to go through three or four pages to get to the coupon.

One Word: Drawn!

2005-12-28T00:04:00.000-08:00

Drawn! is a blog. In it's own words: It "...is a collaborative weblog for illustrators, artists, cartoonists, and anyone who likes to draw. Visit us daily for a dose of links and creative inspiration." Lots of links to artists, designers, illustrators and cartoonists. Visual artists in these categories should definitely visit.

Alan Lomax: Folk Music Archivist

2005-12-27T22:43:00.000-08:00

Alan Lomax was a folk music archivist but also a cultural archivist. From the 1930s until his retirement in 1996, he archived the folk music of America and Europe on audio, video and photos. The collection is currently being organized by the Library of Congress. You can get an insight into some of the remarkable work done by this amazing man at the Alan Lomax Collection web site.

Entertain me on your cell phone. You have 30 seconds

2005-12-24T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ithaca College is holding its annual Cellflix Festival. Here is a brief description:

"The CellFlix Festival is an annual competition dedicated to the development of creative content for mobile delivery. It’s all about imagination, fantasy, and story – created through and presented on the small screen.

"If you’re a filmmaker, a storyteller and a dreamer of big dreams – and you could use an extra $5,000 to help make those dreams come true – pick up your cellphone/smartphone and get busy. You must shoot the story on your cellphone/smartphone, but you can edit it any way you choose."

The competition started on November 8, 2005 but I just found out about it this morning. Entries must be submitted by January 10, 2006. The contest is open to full-time high school or college students. Remember the entire video must be shot with a cell phone. Take the time to watch the sample video. It's amazing what you can do with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Directory & Resource for Actors

2005-12-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

Acting About bills itself as being a web directory and resources for actors. It contains articles on the topic and is layed out in a blog like fashion. The power comes from the sidebar on the home page. Here you have much more detailed links to Acting Courses, Acting Schools, Beginning, Modeling Acting and much more.

The Best Photos of 2005

2005-11-27T17:49:00.000-08:00

The Best of PhotoJournalism 2005 bills itself as: "The Contest Designed by Photojournalists for Photojournalists." See the best Newspaper Photographer of the Year, Sports Portfolio, Domestic News Picture Story, Nature and Environment and a whole lot more.

Artists and Their Art Work on the Internet

2005-11-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

The Artcyclopedia allows you to search for artists, their works by title, or individual museums. The artwork covers a wide range. When you choose your keyword you are taken to a page with info on the appropriate data (artist, work, museum). At the site there is a description with links to sites where you can find the images or additional information. While it doesn't have every work or artist it does have a fine mix. I looked up Pablo Picasso, The Blue Boy, and Frank Frazetta. All of these come from different time periods and they were posted. I was especially impressed with the fact that the site listed Frank Frazetta, who is frequently thought of as an illustrator of fantasy novels.

Who's Buying the Tickets and Where are They Going

2005-11-22T23:03:00.000-08:00

A team of graduate students from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism have done a nifty little piece of investigative journalism. They have compiled all the trips taken by congressional representatives taken at the expense of outside parties. Where have the politicians traveled? What did they do? What was the motivation of the ticket providers? Visit American RadioWorks to find out.

The Music of Roger Reynolds

2005-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

The Library of Congress has many fine collections and this is just one more. It is a collection of research materials about the composer, Roger Reynolds. Along with a guide to the collection, there is an interview with Reynolds conducted by Stephen Soderberg at the Library of Congress. There is also a discography and audio samples.

Everything Photography

2005-10-31T11:25:00.000-08:00

Cameratown is about photography. The information provided consists of the usual info about the latest cameras. But there's a lot more. Links for free photo software, copies of camera owner manuals in PDF format, reviews, rebates and more. Yes, there are ads but the info you can get would seem to compensate.

Gives a New Meaning to the Word Ruins

2005-10-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

Some really terrific photos of modern day ruins can be found at Modern Ruins Photographic Essays. While the photography is quite good, there seems to be no method for searching the site. There are a collections of thumbnails (with brief title) on the home page. Click on the image you want to view and a series of photos will be displayed from that site. I was unable to find any additional information about the ruins themselves. It appears this site is about the photos and nothing else. In addition there are links to other photo sites and info on purchasing the photos displayed here.

What Do You Get When You Cross Kirk With Picard?

2005-10-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

The answer: Star Wreck. This is a Finnish indie film made exclusively using home computer equipment. The project took 7 years and 300 volunteers. The dialog is in Finnish but there are subtitles. The plot is a bit juvenile but the special effects are quite awesome. You absolutely have to have broadband to download this 350 Mb file that runs 1:43. And the best part--It's free!

East Side, West Side, All Around the Town

2005-10-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

Caleb Smith likes to walk. He likes New York. He likes to take pictures. He combined all of these together when, in 2004, he walked and photographed every street in New York. This is what you will see when you visit New York City Walk. Caleb's not the first to do this, but he's may be the first to place his photos on the Internet. He has managed to find some out-of-the-way, non-tourist gems on the streets and byways of New York. The photos aren't always in focus but you get the sense of someone who has an obsession with his town and wants to share it with the world.

Guitar Chords Data Base

2005-09-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

"Version 2.0 of Virtual Guitar & Chordbook is now online. Our main application, this features a flash modelled guitar, over 1300 guitar chords and inversions." In addition to this you can also work with a virtual fret board and capo. Even move and adjust the finger markers. Quite a site for the musically inclined.

Create and Post Your Own Comic Online

2005-09-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

If you think you can script an entertaining comic. Gnomz is one place to experiment. You don't need any artistic skills. The artwork is prefab. The characters and backgrounds are already created. You dress the characters, position them, and give them dialogue. Then you can post the results or send it as email.

Building As Canvas

2005-09-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

In the 1930s, the Public Works Project sponsored the creation of murals for the Coit Tower in California. Selected artists were chosen to create murals that represent a cross section of America at the time. Now you can view these frescos on line at the Coit Memorial Tower web site.

Short, Short,, Short, Short, Short, Short, Stories

2005-08-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

By "short" the webmaster means less than one page. You can have your short story published on the Authortainment site but it must be one page or shorter. The webmaster is attempting to prepare a book of these stories. Be sure to read the fine print as to copyrights and stuff. It's all there on the home page. The story will only be posted for one month unless you fill out a form giving permission.

History of Color Television

2005-08-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Up to 1954 television was broadcast exclusively in black and white. Even though color television was introduced in the mid 1950s, these televisions were far too expensive for the average viewer. Color television didn't become a mainstay until well into the 1960s. At the Color Television Revolution you can find a history of early color television, various color network logos like the early NBC peacock, and even a Color Television Tape Recorder.

Artist Behind the Mask

2005-08-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Eric Straw has had interesting life. He had a successful career with a doctorate in Economic Sciences and Psychology. Then he decided to switch his interests to the study of antique toys and repairing them. He has also designed toys. His website is written in French with English hyperlinks for each of the major menu links.

Career Advice from ComputerWorld

2005-08-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

ComputerWorld has created a Career Special Report. It has tips for everyone seeking employment in the IT field. It covers those just getting started and those preparing for retirement. There's advice on advancing in your career once you get your foot in the door. If you are planning a career in IT or already have a career in IT this site will have something to offer you.

Share Your Travel Photos with the World

2005-08-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have several friends that have recently taken trips and then created a web page with some of their commentary and photos. They have the skill to create their own web page and lay it out the way they want. For everyone else there's TravelPod. It allows you to create your very own travel website. You can share your comments and photos with friends and family even while you're still traveling.

Television Spinoffs and Crossovers

2005-07-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

The television sitcom Friends recently ended but spunoff a new show called Joey. An episode of Law and Order comes in 2 parts with part 2 appearing on Homicide: Life on the Street. These type of shows and episode are called spinoffs and crossovers. At the Crossovers & Spinoffs Master Page you can find these shows listed with detailed information on original broadcast dates, shows, plotlines, motivation for crossover or spinoff, etc.

Free Graph Paper

2005-07-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

Actually the title here is untrue. The graph part IS true but the paper has to be supplied by you. The free part consists of computer files you can print to create dozens of different types and sizes of graph paper. Free Graph Paper Types include: Cartesian Graph Paper, Engineering Graph Paper, Polar Graph Paper, Isometric Graph Paper, and Logarithmic Graph Paper.

The Whole World is Watching

2005-06-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

Most of us in the United States view only our local papers or perhaps the evening news to get a sense of what's happening in our country. At Watching America you can find out how the rest of the world sees us. View articles from other countries about American news. Articles are usually available in at least two formats, their native language and an English-edited version. There are also occasional machine-translated versions of the articles.

The site provides a collection of article titles and pull quotes from recent publications. Occasionally there are political cartoons. The only way to search unfortunately seems to be with a drill down system that allows you to visit the various national newspapers. Some of the newspaper sites may have search utilities at their sites. The country newspaper list is located at the bottom of the home page. You have to scroll to get there.

Earth Photos

2005-06-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

What a magnificent site! Trek Earth provides an opportunity to view photos from around the world, post your own photos and make them a part of the Trek Earth. You can also critique and be critiqued. Not all the photos are award winners. But everyone is worth a viewing. The site is global and frequently post arrive in non-English languages. What a great way to display your work and find out what other photographers think.

I looked at photos of Chicago, my hometown, and it was amazing to see some of the photos of landmarks I pass everyday on my way to work.

Internships in Michigan

2005-06-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

The state is Michigan. The site is MI or Michigan Internships. The Michigan Talent Bank has put together a site that has a list of employers and their internship programs. In addition the site has helpful hints on resume and cover letter writing, and job interview strategies. There are also links to other Internship web sites--not necessarily focusing on Michigan.

Heavy Metal: Wherever

2005-06-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Metal Travel Guide describes itself best:

"The Metal Travel Guide was created to help the travelling Metalhead to find the places where the scene is meeting. We've gathered info about more than 1400 Metal and Rock pubs, clubs, venues and record stores in almost 90 countries for you. Just browse through the website, check out the locations in reality and enjoy your evening! This guide is of course also a handy address directory for bands who are looking for places to play."

How Long is this film

2005-06-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

The Film Length Calculator is a very simple page. You make a couple of entries and you get an answer. Tell the Calculator how many frames per second, film format. Then enter one of the following pieces of data: footage (meter), footage (feet), or number of frames. The site than displays the approximate running time of the film. Film formats available: Super 8, 16 mm, 35 mm, 35/3Perf, 65 mm, and IMAX.

Metro Stations of Moscow

2005-06-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Moscow Metro is a collection of interior photographs of the various stations around Moscow. At first this may sound like just another set of boring photos. But the Moscow stations are literally works of art. They contain large mosaics, stain glass windows, chandeliers and more.

Something About that Art Doesn't Seem Quite Right

2005-06-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

What do The Brooklyn Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History have in common. They have all shown the artwork of Banksy. Who is Banksy? He is a contemporary artist who has found a unique way of getting his art hung in museum galleries. He hangs it himself.

"Dressed as a British pensioner, over the last few days [3-23-05] Banksy entered each of the galleries and attached one of his own works, complete with authorative name plaque and explanation. "

To see Banksy doing his thing and to see his artwork visit the Wooster Collective.

Theatre Seminars and Panel Discussions

2005-06-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

"The American Theatre Wing's panel discussion series brings together performers, directors, playwrights, designers, choreographers and behind-the-scenes personnel from the Broadway theatre.

"Streaming video recordings of these seminars, produced by CUNY-TV, may be viewed here in Real Player format."

Find out what the professionals have to say about American theatre. You'll most likely need a good broadband connection to make this useful.

New York Public Library Digital Gallery

2005-06-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has thousands of digitized images available for viewing at the NYPL Digital Gallery. Along with hundreds of thousands of images there are search/browse features, information on reproductions and permissions necessary, a user's guide, and frequently asked questions. Because the images represent a broad time span, some of the images may be offensive and/or contain offensive language or stereotypes. Be sure to read the disclaimer at the bottom of the home page.

Sculpture of Merrill "Mitch" Lewis

2005-06-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

The sculpture of Merrill "Mitch" Lewis can be viewed here. Here's an man who started as an artist, became the Creative Director of a New York advertising firm, then returned to art and seems to be fairly successful at it.

A Dancer's Journal

2005-06-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

This is a visual journal of a member (Jordy Kandinsky) of the Martha Graham Dance Company. You can read program notes, the trials and tribulations of learning four characters in a short period. There are videos and very heavy-duty Flash graphics. It's a slow, but adequate, load in dial-up but is probably best viewed with broadband connections.

Play at The Royal National Theatre

2005-06-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

Stagework takes you behind the scenes of the creation of a play--"from the page to the stage." This covers a lot of territory with videos of rehearsals, productions and more. A great learning tool. You definitely want to access this site with broadband.

German Photographer in Japan

2005-05-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

The photographs of Juergen Specht cover a variety of topics from auto shows to warning signs. He moved to Japan from Germany in 1979. He started taking photographs and got hooked on photography and Japan. After a variety of jobs over the last couple of decades, he now works exclusively as a photographer for hire. The opening site has a gallery of Japanese warning signs, which the photographer considers very obvious. I don't. But the photos are good and well documented.

Artistic Treatment of the Weather

2005-05-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

The BBC of Great Britain has provided a most interesting art exhibit with a focus on the representation of the weather. Painting the Weather contains over 100 paintings from 50 UK galleries. Compare how various artists present the concept of rain, a storm, snow, a sunny day and more.

Design for Modern Times

2005-05-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Modern Contemporary Design has a website that covers all the latest trends in furniture design. It is called MocoLoco. It covers the whole gamut of internal design, from sofas and chairs, to the latest designs in stemware and lighting fixtures. It's all here. This is the place to visit for the latest in interior architecture.

Historical Video Gaming

2005-05-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Those of you planning on entering the video gaming arena should visit Mini-Arcade. This is a museum site of old video games from before Nintendo's Gameboy or Atari's Lynx. Sample screens from the early games are displayed along with history and background. There are forums where you can leave messages, chat, or trade, sell, or buy older games.

For iPod Owners

2005-05-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

If you have an iPod the iPod Lounge is a definite must for your Favorites list. It contains information, press releases, and resources for add ons and special supplies for your iPod.

Digital Photography Tips

2005-05-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

MalekTips helps with many questions or problems in Digital Photography. Visit the site for some advice on how to solve those problems. Tips on Buying a Digital Camera, Digital Aerial Photography, Memory, Night Photography, and lots more.

MoCCA

2005-05-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) has a site. It is currently hosting an online exhibit called "Now Then." There are samples of artists work now and when they were much younger. Be sure to click on the Home hyperlink to visit the rest of the site.

Band News

2005-05-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

"Bandnews.org is a portal and search engine for the latest band related news, directly from the official source, and automatically updated throughout the day to present the most recent news first. The news are collected by a spider, then easily made available on one page."

There's Fotos and then there's Photos

2005-04-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

A cute title for their site the keepers of Fotos and Photos are travel photographers based in Brazil. They spend about 5 months of each year traveling and taking photos "documenting the cultural diversity and natural beauty we see." There photos are published in various cultural and travel magazines. They have a couple of free screensavers for download and their online galleries of photos are organized by topics like: Architecture, Portraits, Nocturnes, and more.

20 Pictures

2005-04-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

You've heard of 20 Questions, Montage-a-Google uses 20 pictures. It builds a montage by stringing the first 20 hits from an Image Google search into a montage grid of 9 rows by # columns, where # refers to you picking the number of images per row. If you decide to print the image, I've found it seems to work best in landscape. Great for the latest film, celebrity, TV show, or just about any category of picture.

For the Military but not In the Military

2005-04-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

You may have thought it would be interesting working for a branch of the armed forces but you just don't like the idea of wearing the same uniform everyday. Well there are lots of civilian jobs available in the military and the Civilians Working for National Defense site is just right for you. It provides information about this viable job market including job search and contact information.

Who and What Type of Accreditation

2005-04-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Looking for a college or grad school? What kind of accreditation does the school have? The United States government has the answer for you. At its accreditation site the Office of Postsecondary Education has the accreditation information on roughly 6,900 postsecondary schools.

Book of Art Communication

2005-04-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

The story behind Book is kind of interesting. Four artists decided to create a book of art. After the first piece of art was entered, the book would be sent on to the next artist to add another work that might or might not be a response to previous entry. The art book was sent around weekly, with each artist mailing it to the next on Monday, receiving the book by Wednesday, then creating their work and sending the book on its way the following Monday. This continued for nine months. An interesting art project.

A Wild and Crazy Guy

2005-04-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Many of us know Steve Martin as a comedian from Saturday Night Live. Some know him as an actor in a multitude of movies. He is also a writer and producer. At The Compleat Steve Martin you can find information about this wild, crazy--and talented--guy.

The Three D's

2005-03-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

"Engineers, inventors, and designers produce drawings as part of their creative process. They draw to work out and refine concepts and details. They draw to persuade. They draw to give direction. And they draw to record their ideas and to learn from others.

"This exhibition presents examples of industrial drawings in the collections of the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries."

The site is called "Doodles, Drafts & Designs." Someday you may find yourself in creating drawings just like these.

Wonders of Pencil Drawings

2005-02-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

Flash files can be really amazing. Depending on the creator of the files, the end product can be truly entertaining. Pencilmation is one of those sites. I personally prefer the black and white animations over the color. But visit the site yourself and make your own decision.

A Different Boston Public

2005-02-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

This collection comes from the Sargent Murals of the Boston Public Library. The murals are in poor condition but are in the process of being restored. You can see sections of the mural at the site. There is also historical, interpretive, and restoration information available as well.

Help Wanted: NorthEast Pennsylvania

2005-02-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

Worknepa is a focused job search site. It specializes in work in the northeast area of Pennsylvania. It has a "powerful web crawler that searches 8 job sites simultaneously!" You can also post your resume. A nice site for a narrow geographic area.

Murder With a Jest

2005-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

The site is Jest Murder Mystery. This theatre group out of St. Louis puts on Murder Mystery plays. They will perform their mysteries not only at their St. Louis location but are willing to travel around the country to perform for corporate gatherings, schools, etc. I present this here for two reasons: One, it represents a proactive approach in promoting a theatre company on a national level. Two, St. Louis isn't that far from Chicago for those who might like a little weekend travel and entertainment.

Photojournalism

2005-02-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Photographs plus the stories that go with them can be viewed at VII. Those considering a career in photojournalism would do well to stop by this site and see how professionals shoot a news story.

Music to Go

2005-02-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

Music, accessories, or just information for the Apple iPod. FindiPod is a search engine with a focus on all things iPod. Use it like a regular search engine but everything you find will in some way relate to the iPod. You can use keyword search techniques or go with some of the pre-indexed links, although it would appear that most of the latter are commercial in nature.

A Picture is Worth...

2005-02-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

Worth 1000 is the name of this photo site. It contains galleries of photos in various categories (Unsung Vending Machines is my current favorite--but I haven't viewed them all yet) for your viewing pleasure. It also seems to hold an endless series of contest with various themes. Forums, Tutorials and Toys (Games and Specials) round out the site nicely.

Financial Aid for School

2005-01-11T23:13:00.000-08:00

FinAid bills itself as the SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. It covers all sorts of financial aid methods: Scholarship searches, Loans, Section 529 college savings plans, and various aspects of military aid. There's also advise on navigating the paperwork trail necessary to procure the funding you need, an aid advisor for personal help, dozens of tools for calculating college costs, loan payments, savings and more.

Another site for financial aid is Reference Service Press. The site is a bit commercial in that it does have topical books for sale. But it also provides a great deal of information in the financial aid arena.

History of Gaming

2005-01-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

At Classic Gaming you can read The History of Gaming Part I--Origins Forgotten. It's written by Marty "Retro Rogue" Goldberg. He starts back in 1958 with Ralph Higinbotham, the designer of one of the first, if not THE first, video game called Tennis for Two. To think we owe our arcade games of today to a light-ball similar to pong bouncing back and forth across an oscilloscope.

Visionary Art of Jeffrey Bedrick

2005-01-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

Jeffrey Bedrick is an artist with a diverse set of credits. Here is a description from The Art of Jeffrey K. Bedrick.

"Moving freely between fine art and commercial art, he has done illustration and design for feature films, television, the stage, advertising, print, computer games and the internet. His fantastic paintings have been published in countless forms including gift cards, posters, limited edition prints, books, magazines, puzzles, and other collectibles. Notable projects include background art for animated features, Shrek 2, The Little Mermaid 2, Fern Gully 2, Dudley Do-Right, many TV commercials; digital art for scores of interactive media titles; numerous book illustrations including a children's book Weather for Doubleday; 3D design for Cybertown - The Sci-fi Community of the Future. Corporate collections include The San Francisco Opera, Pacific Telesis, Mazda, Proctor & Gamble, and GTE. He is listed in 2000 Outstanding Artists & Designers of the 20th Century."

Job Searching in America

2005-01-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

Not only does America's Job Bank provide job postings, but it also provides a place to post resumes, help in designing a cover letter. You can also set up a personal search scout that will look at job posts as they come in and then send you an email of jobs that seem to fit your criteria. Be prepared to do a little exploring. It will be time well spent.

Animation History

2005-01-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

Follow the history and growth of film animation from 1820 to the present at: Chronophotographical Projections.

Just What You Need if You Plan to Move to California

2005-01-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

If you plan to work in California after graduation, the Big Loop is a great little resource. It's a "...specialized search engine that focuses exclusively on marketing, communications, advertising, and creative services and resources in California." While the data base is far from comprehensive, it does provide some info about companies involved in entertainment. Probably a good place to find out about companies specializing in what you want to do with your life.

Photographic Panorama

2005-01-01T01:47:00.000-08:00

Original World Wide Panorama is dedicated to panoramic photography, with samples of full 360 degree panoramic photos. The photos were all taken at precisely the same time everywhere in the world on March 20, 2004. The photos are indexed by photographer, geographic region, bridges and more.

Gaming History

2004-12-29T17:48:00.000-08:00

Video games are the in thing. They not only account for billions of dollars in revenue each year but they have their own television shows, movies are based on them, and some even have the wife of an unmentioned state governor attempting to regulate them. But where did it all begin? Classic Gaming answers that question. It starts with Tennis for Two, created by Ralph Higinbotham (I am not making this up). To see the progression of video games over the last 40+ years, visit Classic Gaming.

Treating Subjects in Unexpected Ways

2004-12-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

That's how File Ezine describes the images it publishes on the Internet. These are not your everyday family photos, or even news photos. These photos frequently take the commonplace and look at it from a different angle and a fresh perspective. A great place to get ideas or possibly find a market for your own unique photographic works.

International Film and TV Production Resources

2004-12-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

A great source for Film & TV production resources, jobs, casting calls and more can be found at Mandy: International Film and TV Production Resources. I searched for auditions in Illinois and also for production jobs in Illinois. Most of the auditions were for independent films with little or no pay for work. But the Production jobs were different, a little less than half were for pay--but most had limited job life. A great source for Columbia students. Listings cover not only the U.S. but the entire world.

How They Do It

2004-12-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

Pixar has an excellent site that uses the metaphor of a slide show to demonstrate how an animation feature goes from first concept to finished, marketable product. How We Do It takes a while to load if your using a dial up.

Super Heroes in the Movies, TV and Real Life?

2004-12-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

Superheroes Lives provides info about live action (not animated) films based upon comic book superheroes. Of course DC Comics (Superman, Batman, etc.) and Marvel (Spiderman, X-men, etc.) are covered but also the independent comic groups that have given rise to characters like Spawn, Bulletproof Monk, Men in Black, The Crow, and more. There's even a section for original movie superheroes that didn't come from a comic like Robocop, Highlander, and The Avengers (Steed and Peel). There's also a listing for International heroes. I have to admit I was not familiar with most of these other than Power Rangers. And, if you can believe it, there's even a section for Real-Life Superheroes. That's right folks who run around in the tights & cape for real. These are perhaps some of the most interesting stories.

The Ultimate in Flight Simulation

2004-12-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

There are flight simulators and then there is FlightGear. FlightGear is unique in that it is an open-source, multi-platform flight simulator. The user is invited to tweak the program and come up with new planes and scenarios. "Currently you can fly the 1903 Wright Flyer, strange flapping wing "ornithopters", a 747 and A320, various military jets, and several light singles. FlightGear has the ability to model those aircraft and just about everything in between." If you like to work with simulations and would like to take a crack at coding some new flight ideas, visit FlightGear.

Platon Gallery

2004-12-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

Platon is a photographer well known in both advertising and photojournalistic circles. This site contains samples of his portraits, documentaries, advertising, and fashion work. He worked for the magazine George (the magazine published by John Kennedy, Jr.) for several years. A nice collection of his works.

Online Comics

2004-12-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

The Webcomics Examiner is an ezine specializing in online comic books. For those who are interested in working in the comic book field this site has references to many of the online comics on the Internet. Currently they have The Best Comics of 2004 where they discuss and provide links to online comics from underground, action/adventure, manga, and mainstream comic work.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Looney Tunes

2004-12-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Looney Tunes site deserves a visit from every animator wantabe. There are new cartoons, games, newsletter and links to actual Looney Tune cartoons. Looney Tunes is now a part of Warner Brothers and along with the traditional Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, you can also find Batman. Broadband is the name of the game if you want to download any of the cartoons.

Artist with a Scanner

2004-12-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Maggie Taylor has opted to use a scanner instead of camera to produce her art. She takes common, found objects, lays them on a flatbed scanner, manipulates them with the appropriate software and comes up with haunting work. An alternative form of photographic art.

British Accents on the Net

2004-12-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

Say, "British accent" to the average American and we all have our own little stereotype of what that is. But we are thinking singular here. "British accent" is plural. There are many different and highly unique British accents. At the English Accents and Dialects section of the Collect Britain site, you can have access to recordings of accents from all over the United Kingdom. Quite a handy resource for the American actor looking to get a role in a play that requires a very particular sound.

FAFSA Online

2004-12-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

To get through school today, you need financial help. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) site was designed to help in this way. "FAFSA opens the door to the federal student aid process. Every step you take will get you closer to achieving your educational goals. Find out what you can expect from beginning to end."

Making Advertising Better

2004-12-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Ihaveanidea site is an advocacy site. It was created "...for creatives, by creatives." The folks behind this site are in the industry. They want to make it better than it is. They claim they aren't afraid to go against tradition if they think the cause is just. Advertising and marketing folks give it a quick scan.

Photos With a Different Point of View

2004-12-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Photographs taken from a kite. At Kite Aerial Photography the photographer attaches the camera to a kite and triggers the shutter via remote control. He provides a gallery of his photos, as well as information on equipment and rigging for anyone else that might be interested in this different style of photography.

Portfolio Development

2004-12-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

It takes more than a standard resume to obtain employment in the design field. The job seeker needs a good portfolio--preferably electronic. Instructional Design Solutions, Portfolio Defined helps you with a portfolio preparation tutorial. Feel free to post any comments about this site that you think might be helpful to your fellow students.

Digital Photography Consumer Guides and Catalogs

2004-11-30T23:51:00.000-08:00

The following sites serve two masters. They present information about digital photography but also promote the purchase of such equipment. Be cautious with the information you receive from these sites. It appears to be quite helpful. Thanks to the member of the Digital Imaging SIG of the Chicago Computer Society for recommending these sites.

Digicam Info

DigitalCameraInfo

Camcorder Info

Theatre in Chicago

2004-11-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

What's happening in Chicago theatre? Find out at ChicagoPlays.com. The site covers more than just plays. It also explores music and dance performances. Whether the show is at Goodman or at Columbia College, opening and closings are listed. Performance times and ticket prices are available for all listed programs. Auditions and theatre jobs are also available.

Movie Trailers

2004-11-28T23:32:00.000-08:00

If you like movies and have the bandwidth, then the AOL Movie Trailer Archive is for you. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of movie trailers are available at this site. See different versions of trailers--long/short, American/International. List seems to be up to date but also has older films.