Grandpa Dragon Makes His Move
In the Spring of 2013, Wellington, New Zealand sculptor Kim Beaton began a search for a permanent home for her three-ton earthquake-proof yet huggable masterwork, Grandpa Dragon.
Today, the Grandpa Dragon Facebook page began posting photos of Grandpa’s move to his new home.
Lovely Wellington sky, isn’t it?
Here’s Grandpa at his present location. Where is he now? That has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, click on “like” at the Grandpa Dragon Facebook page.
Click here for my first report.
How to Use a Wave-Motion Barrier
With the Blu-Ray release of Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Chapter 7, this Friday, October 25, here’s a preview clip courtesy of Yamato 2199 on Facebook. The Yamato crew has arrived on the enemy planet Gamilas. During the attack, they protect their ship with the Wave-Motion Barrier. Watch and be amazed:
http://youtu.be/JVsXEuVB4fg
The Blu-Ray version is said to have improvements for some of these scenes. This particular clip is from Episode 23, included in the Chapter 7 compilation.
Composing Captain Power
Guests at Captain Power Fan Night 2013 included Special Effects Supervisor Robert DeLapp and composer Gary Guttman, who will be plying their talents for the reboot series, Phoenix Rising.
Captain Power composer Gary Guttman and SFX supervisor Robert DeLapp. Photo © W. R. Miller.
In this video, Guttman discusses the challenges of scoring the series:
One of the best pieces is the hauntingly evocative Love Theme from Captain Power, which, in its sad melody, foreshadows the tragedy of the final episode and is, indeed, the final music in the series (aside from the end credits theme). Listen to it here.
To learn more about the works of Gary Guttman, visit his websites here and here.
The Captain Power soundtrack is available! For a listing of what’s on the CD, click here, then buy it.
Coverage of Captain Power Fan Night 2013 continues in an upcoming post.
Click here for Part One.
Click here for Part Two.
For a report on the Power team’s visit to Burbank in December 2011, click here.
Bruce Gray Powers On
At Captain Power Fan Night 2013, veteran actor Bruce Gray greeted fans and well-wishers and autographed their purchases. He’s known for his role as Mentor and Dr. Stuart Gordon Power, named after series writer Larry DiTillio’s father.
Bruce Gray at Captain Power Fan Night 2013, at Blast from the Past, Burbank, CA. Photo © W. R. Miller.
Mr. Gray talks about the event from his perspective here. He notes, “The writers themselves (Judy and Garfield Reeves-Stevens) turned out to be utterly charming. Who knows, they might even write me into the new show.” It’s possible. Other original cast members have been contacted to participate in the reboot series, Phoenix Rising, in supporting roles. Tim Dunigan, the original Captain Power, will be performing Mentor.
Here’s Gray as Dr. Power in action from “A Summoning of Thunder, Part II”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyhm6Qa_F3Y&list=PL4DA9931435E685AB
Gray has an impressive array of credits outside of Power. Babylon 5 fans know him as Captain Sheridan’s second interrogator. Star Trek fans know him as Admiral Chekote and Surak. Click here to review his extraordinary career.
Coverage of Captain Power Fan Night 2013 continues in my next post.
Click here for Part One.
Blast from the Past Presents the Future: Captain Power
It was a special event announced on Facebook.
It was a celebration of a show that stretched the bounds of science-fiction television.
On Friday, October 18, 2013, some of the cast and crew of Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future came to Blast from the Past, a science fiction collectibles store in Burbank, California. It was a great opportunity for everyone involved:
1). For the filmmakers to promote their upcoming revival, Phoenix Rising. They displayed props, toys and designs from the original Captain Power series, and offered hints about the new series.
2). For the store to sell Captain Power posters, CDs, DVDs and other merchandise.
3). For the fans to meet the filmmakers, express their appreciation in person, and get autographs. Exclusive Phoenix Rising buttons were made for the first 87 fans to arrive, commemorating Captain Power’s debut in 1987. Attendees were also treated to some snacks, a chance to win a Captain Power toy in a raffle, and some jokes from Larry Ross, the store’s proprietor, as they waited in line.
Here I am on the right, with Captain Power himself, Tim Dunigan, and series creator and executive producer Gary Goddard on the far left. I’m 6 feet tall. Note the size of Mr. Dunigan next to me.
Gary Goddard, Tim Dunigan, Bob Miller.
Photo (c) W. R. Miller
At this table sat writers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens next to actor Bruce Gray (right). Judith and Garfield have written the story bible for Phoenix Rising. Both are super-talented SF writers with a legion of impressive credentials, as you can see on their website. The Goddard Film Group was wise to hire them.
Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, with Bruce Gray. Photo (c) W. R. Miller.
More details and photos from Captain Power Fan Night 2013 in my next post.
For news about Phoenix Rising, stay tuned to this blog and visit Captain Power’s Facebook page and website.
For a report on the Power team’s visit to Burbank in December 2011, click here.
Blast from the Past’s website is here.
Psst. They’re selling a skekSil the Chamberlain action figure from The Dark Crystal for $30.00. mmmMMMmmmmmmmmm.
Smaug’s Theme Music
On October 19, 2013, The New Zealand Herald posted an interview with writer-director Peter Jackson discussing the music for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Yes, the notorious dragon has been given his own theme music, courtesy of Howard Shore and his All-Nurse Band the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Reporter Russell Baille describes the theme as “inspired by the prominence of dragons in Chinese and Indonesian culture. Plus a touch of Psycho.”
Says Jackson of Smaug: “Smaug is a psychopath. Smaug is literally a cunning, intelligent psychopath who is laying in wait for these guys. So it’s sinister clever kind of music.”
Pity it’s not as hummable as the Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back.
On December 20, 2013, Peter Jackson posted a blog piece about the music:
Here’s Howard Shore with Lily Tomlin back in 1975:
Howard Shore and his All-Nurse Band perform “St. James Infirmary” with the vocals of the lovely Lily Tomlin, from NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Have a listen:
Season 1, Episode 6: November 22nd, 1975.
The World’s Largest Star Wars Collection
It’s official. As of September 11, 2013, The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the collection of Stephen J. Sansweet as the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia in the world, with an estimated 300,000 pieces ranging from bottle caps to videos to arcade games—anything and everything Star Wars. It’s all housed at Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, California. Go there and be amazed.
For more details go here.
Dragon on the Beach
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-1[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-12.jpg)
What better way to promote a show with dragons? Place a dragon skull on a beach called Charmouth, on England’s Jurassic Coast, where numerous prehistoric fossils have been found.
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-11[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-112.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-2[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-22.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-3[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-32.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-4[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-42.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-9[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-92.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-7[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-72.jpg)
![blinkbox-dragon-skull-8[2]](https://wrmilleronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blinkbox-dragon-skull-82.jpg)
It took a reported six weeks for Blinkbox to make the 40-foot model and transport it to the beach.
Here’s their “making of” video, posted online July 16, 2013:
http://youtu.be/cP5gQJ6xJfE
Wellington, New Zealand artist Warren Beaton points out sculptor Kim Beaton’s dragon skull is “somewhat cooler”:
