http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/ en Copyright 2008 Sony Pictures Digital. All Rights Reserved. Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:00:55 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Ok, so there I was, poster tube in hand, will power in throat, and the security guard won’t let me open the poster tube to get Sam Raimi to sign the Evil Dead poster! So I stand my ground, and I’ve got a plan! So first up in the signing line was Bryce Howard! Ok so far so good, she’s nice, she’s funny, and she’s talking to Topher Grace, who’s next in line. I felt like they were probably tired, not really into what they’re doing, ready to go home. But instead I was greeted with great enthusiasm, big smiles, and actual excitement! They were all so nice, and kind! Topher commented on the Venom shirt I was wearing (courtesy of Sony Pictures!), and I was on my way to the next celebrity, halfway to the end of my quest! So next up was Thomas Hayden Church, who, every time I see, is just so hilarious!! I asked him why he wasn’t the star of a major comedy yet, and he replied jokingly, “It’s the drugs!” Topher had a good laugh at that quip as well, it was really an experience to remember! So, moving on, next was Kirsten Dunst!! Which I was not prepared for!! I mean, I love Interview with a Vampire, and of course the other Spider-Man movies, but I was just not ready to actually see her, face to face, and so up close!! I was nervous, for sure! She smiled at me, and said hi, she seemed eager to hear what I was trying to muster, which was basically, “Wow, I’ve never expected in my entire life, to actually be this close to you!” She just smiled, then stood up and gave me a “over the table” hug! WOW! Imagine that! Actual contact with Mary Jane!!! WOOOO! But still, it hadn’t really fazed what I planned to do once I got to Sam, I had to keep focused. So next up was Tobey, which was quite shocking as well, I mean, you really don’t think of these actors as real people, we watch them on our TV’s and local movie screens every day, but you just never expect to see them like this. In the same room as you, breathing the same air! Tobey was kind of busy speaking to someone with him, but he still took the time to sign the Spider-Man 3 poster, and say Hi! Awesome, just awesome. But now, this is it. This is the moment of truth. This next experience could make or break my quest! I had my plan, and I was gonna go through with it! So, I stepped over to Sam Raimi, who was just sitting there, he grabbed the Spider-Man poster, and signed it. “How yah doin?” He asked, while signing the poster. To which I replied, “Ok” Nervousness overcame me. I almost didn’t say another word, and almost walked away, with my shame in a poster tube. But this was it, this was my only chance….I said, “Mr. Raimi, I have this poster here, from Dead Alive, and I’ve got the signature of every member of the cast, and you’re the only person left to sign it! And It’ll be complete, do you think you can sign this?!” The person next to me, nudged me, as if to let me know I’ve done something wrong. Sam looked at me and said, “Break it out”, so I quickly shoved the poster out of the tube and unraveled it on the table in front of Sam. He then pulled out a sharpie, and at this point I knew my quest was over! My dream had come true! And It was all gonna be ok!!! The Sam said, “Ok, now…I’m not gonna sign this….And here’s why. Let me tell you a story.” I stared in horror, what have I done?! Why won’t he sign it?! What’s happening!! I was shocked! He said, “There once was a boy who came to the Con to get a poster signed, he asked the director to sign the poster for a movie that he did not direct!” Suddenly the people in line broke out in laughter, including Tobey Maguire…I was frantically searching in my brain for what I had done wrong! Then it hit me!! I asked him to sign a DEAD ALIVE poster!!! My brain! My foolish brain!! What have I done!!!? In my nervous rambling, and shaky legged standing, I asked Sam Raimi, director of Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, Spider-Man, and Spider-Man 2, to sign the poster for a film that he didn’t even direct. I stood defeated. I had lost. I let Blake down, and I let myself down. And there I was, face to face with Sam Raimi, sharpie in hand, poster in front of him. And he wasn’t gonna sign it! He then said, “I’m just kidding! Of course I’ll sign it!” Tobey laughed! I almost fell to the ground! He was signing it, right in front of my face!!! And it was glorious! As soon as he was finished, he looked at me, and I thanked him a million times, and told him what an honor it was to meet him, and be in his presence. And that was it! My quest was over! And it wasn’t just my quest, it was Blake’s quest! And it was the quest of a million fans, to meet their dreams face to face, and accomplish them. And that’s what this whole experience has been, a dream come true, and the accomplishment of half a nerd’s life! Everything I’ve been given, and have been a part of, was so graciously handed to me by some of the best people I’ve ever met in my life. This experience has been the greatest honor, and has been a privilege for me, and Sara. And with that friends, I sign off, and leave my duties of Sony Pictures Official San Diego Comic Con Blogger 2006! And I take home with me the memories of a fantastic journey, and a great feeling of accomplishment. Ladies and Gentlemen, boy and girls, Browncoats, and Trekkies, Jedis’ and Sith, Decepticons and Autobots, this is Steve Zaragoza, signing off!

-Sincerely, Steve Zaragoza “Sony Pictures Comic Con Blogger 06’!”]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman_bring_me_a_dream_pa_1.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman_bring_me_a_dream_pa_1.php Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:00:55 -0800

Hello, Steve again,

I’d like to take a moment to let everyone know that this has just been such an amazing experience being Sony Pictures official blogger. Everyone has been so nice and caring and Sara and I really have been treated like kings (and queen, respectively). I really do get a sense of comraderie around the Sony booth and I feellike I have known these people for years. Its gonna be really sad when I hand in my laptop and post my last blog for you guys, but at least I will have the amazing memories of living the Comic-Con dream like a rock star!

-Steve]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/thank_you.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/thank_you.php Sun, 23 Jul 2006 14:38:42 -0800
Steve here, I’m hot off the heels of the Covenant, and Grudge 2 panel, and boy-oh, am I excited and scared!! As some of you may know, the first Grudge scared the living hell out of me, and at the panel here, they showed a special Comic Con trailer and just that, scared the hot biscuits out of me!!! Great stuff, very scary…And, to my surprise they had Sam Raimi introduce the panel, and bring out the director, and two of the female stars of the movie! Before all the madness of The Grudge though, they showed the trailer for The Covenant, it looked pretty good! It’s like the Lost Boys for the new generation! Except, instead of teenage vampires, it has teenage warlocks! Such a combination! I can’t wait. So I bet you’re all waiting for my continuation of the Spider-Man 3 blog, and all I can say is, patience is a virtue!

-Steve ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/konichi_wah.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/konichi_wah.php Sun, 23 Jul 2006 13:39:03 -0800
- TO BE CONTINUED…Part 3, tonight!

-Steve]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman_bring_me_a_dream_pa.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman_bring_me_a_dream_pa.php Sun, 23 Jul 2006 10:29:41 -0800
But at this point, I must add, before the Con even started, before the week of excitement. I was handed a curious unmarked poster tube, by my good friend Blake. He proceeded to tell me that in the tube was his most prized possession. He reached in and unfurled the poster, and what I saw was years of dedication, of pain, and suffering, years and years of blood sweat, and more sweat. It was an original, one-sheet of Sam Raimi's first film, Evil Dead. But it wasn't just a poster, it was a collection of time and money, it was a collective comrade ere of sprawled signatures, it was the ink of many sharpies, scribbled to make out the entire cast of Sam Raimi's Evil Dead. I was speechless. He said, "Steve my friend, this here is my life. This is the last piece of a seemingly never ending collection. This before you, is an almost complete collection of every major actor, in Evil Dead. There's only one thing missing…The signature of Sam Raimi." I stood up, without hesitation and shouted, "I'll do it!" He handed me the protective poster tube, with his prize possession inside, and I could see a tear in his eye. He knew I could do this, and I was the only one who could. And of course, him being the best man at my wedding, I couldn't refuse. So cut to this new moment, standing in line, not ready for what's to come, dazed and frightened, I stepped closer to nerd heaven. Then, at that moment, just before I could enter the line to nerd heaven, I realized, I was missing something. Yes, something felt lighter…I mean, besides the laptop…It was….THE POSTER!

Part Two...Tomorrow! Stay tuned…

-Steve ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/mr_sandman.php Sat, 22 Jul 2006 18:44:55 -0800
-Steve ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/hello_hello.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/hello_hello.php Sat, 22 Jul 2006 10:34:08 -0800
Steve here with a new blog! Last night Sara and I had the pleasure of attending the SNL Saturday TV Funhouse panel! Robert Smigel was on hand to present some hilarious never before seen (due to the content that’s not appropriate for TV… (Damn the man! Always trying to keep the little guys down!), cartoons, and other hi jinks. Robert Smigel, if you don’t know, is also the famous canine insult comic, Triumph! Now, if you’ve seen Triumph the insult comic dog, you know that he shows no mercy when it comes to comic book nerds. And the Con was breeding grounds (pun very intended) for Triumph to wreak havoc! Of course, there was the usual prodding of Comic Con goers in attendance at the panel! They were video taping the whole shindig, and hopefully it will show up on Late Night TV, or some other media outlet. After his rubber puppet shenanigans, Smigel removed the puppet and replied: “Argh, My hand !#*@!?&# hurts!” This was followed by roaring laughter! All in all, it was an amazing panel, filled with rare never before seen clips from SNL, and also VERY rare clips from the old Dana Carvey Show, and some TV pilots that never got off the ground. So far, this has been a really great year at Comic Con, and we’re 3 days down, 2 to go! So as always, keep checking in on the cool updates, and I’ll keep posting em!

-Steve]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/a_triumph_in_blogging.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/a_triumph_in_blogging.php Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:32:44 -0800 ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/friday_recap_with_steve.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/friday_recap_with_steve.php Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:03:49 -0800
Hello Steve here yet again, with a new exciting blog for you to peek at. I’m here at the Jim Henson company presentation! On hand are, Lisa Henson (the late Jim Henson’s Daughter), Brian Froud (the artist who created the world, and creatures for the Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth), and Genndy Tartakovsky (the creator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon series, and Samurai Jack). You can imagine how excited I was, being such a huge fan of ALL THINGS Henson, as well as everything Genndy Tartakovsky does, and will ever do! I’ll try my best to type things as they happen, otherwise I’m just gonna pretend it’s being typed as it all happen, and you all will never be the wiser. So let’s begin! First they started the presentation with a truly heartwarming montage of Jim Henson himself, with some of his quotes, and old short films. I have to admit, I was so close to losing it! I get so damn sad every time I see Jim Henson, It’s just so tragic that we lost him, and I hope his legacy is still appreciated. They also debuted some images of new Jim Henson related items, for some of his films. They followed that presentation, with a discussion about the new film, “The Power of the Dark Crystal”. If you’re a Dark Crystal fan like me, this is very exciting news, especially since Genndy Tartakovsky is directing the film. They then went on to present a short video of behind the scenes of the new movie, which hasn’t started shooting yet, so instead they had some pretty cool interviews with Genndy Tartakovsky, and some exclusive looks at the concept art for the film. They also showed a couple of clips for a new late night puppet show for adults, and some live footage from an improv puppet show. Which went over very well, laughs abound! They then went into Q&A which involved a lot of questions about the films of Henson and co. as well as other muppet related things such as Fraggle Rock (which I love to death, and always will) and The Muppet Show. Where else can you see such talent, and creative people! Comic Con that’s where!

-Steve]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/you_gotta_hand_it_to_puppets.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/you_gotta_hand_it_to_puppets.php Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:00:12 -0800
-Steve ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/aloha.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/aloha.php Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:39:03 -0800
Blogger Steve here! I just got back from the Hellboy animated, and PSP University panels, and I’ve got some talkins’ to do! First of all, Hellboy animated looked awesome! Mike Mignola, the creator of the comic and producer of the new series, and Guillermo Del Toro, the producer of the animated series, and the director of the Hellboy movie, were on hand as well as the artist “Cheeks” who created the design for the animated Hellboy. They went on to show a clip of finished animation, and announced that the animated series would debut on Cartoon Network in late October, and then on DVD in February of 2007. Exciting! The PSP panel was chock full of cool new information and announcements.
One announcement that got me all shook and baked, was that firmware update 2.80 will be available in the coming weeks, and will include game demos, AND the exciting addition of RSS Video, which will enable users to download video podcasts, save them to the memory stick, and then view them without being connected to a hot spot! The current PSP firmware 2.71, already allows you to download RSS audio. This excites me so! That means that I can hock my own video podcasts and force the public to download them, and view them on their PSP’s! Bwah haw haw haw!!! Also discussed was the new PSP camera that will enable users to take pictures and video on the fly, and then save them to their PSP memory sticks!
The future’s so bright, I gotta wear UV protected US state regulation shades!

-Steve. ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/a_little_piece_of_handheld_hea.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/a_little_piece_of_handheld_hea.php Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:08:56 -0800
**!!!NEWS FLASH!!!* Ladies and gentlemen, before I get this blog off the ground, I have to announce this HUGE NEWS from Sony Pictures, prepare yourselves this is straight from Sony Pictures Headquarters:

“I am happy to confirm the rumors - Sony will bring Tobey, Kirsten, Topher, Bryce, and Thomas to Saturday's Comic-Con panel with Sam Raimi.”

WOOO!! Holy wow!! This is amazing news everyone, especially of you’re here at Comic Con!! So stay tuned, and check the guides for info on the panel! Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog-gram! **

Well, its day three at San Diego Comic-Con, and I am literally typing this in the car on the way to the parking structure! One thing you always have to keep in mind at the San Diego Comic-Con is that traffic around the convention center is gut-wrenchingly bad, so make sure to bring plenty of empty water-bottles. Today I am going to start off the day with going to the Hellboy animated panel at 10:30. Sara (trustee nerd side-kick!) and I have been fans of the Hellboy comic-book series (I mean, who wouldn’t love a comic-book series about a big red demon who beats the crap out of evil demons with his big stone fist?)
for a long time now, and its only because of the Comic-Con that we have been able to meet Hellboy creator Mike Mignola on several occasions. I’ll be sure to tell you guys how that panel went as I can hardly contain my excitement for an animated Hellboy series. Also today is a Sony PSP panel which, despite the fact I am blogging for Sony here, I am extremely excited about. Those who know me know I carry my damn PSP on me everywhere I go, and the Comic-Con is no exception. Of course, Sony goes all out by making available free PSP downloads with demos for Loco Roco (man oh man, is this game going to freaking rock!!), wallpapers and movie trailers.
The PSP panel will include tips and tricks as well as previews for upcoming PSP gadgets, like the PSP i-toy and the much anticipated PSP GPS add-on! Now I can play Me and My Katamari AND know exactly where I am anywhere in the world! That’s all I really know that is going on for today- Sony always has some surprises up their sleeves so I look forward to what today might bring me.

-Steve

PS. Can I just say that I am beyond excited about Sony Pictures Spider-Man 3 panel tomorrow? Oh baby that is going to rock! ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/this_blogs_for_you.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/this_blogs_for_you.php Fri, 21 Jul 2006 10:51:02 -0800
Steve here, once again with another fine report from the Comic Con floor! Now that my tummy is filled with a delicious 25 dollar hot dog, I’m ready to give you your monthly internet bill’s worth! There are so many exciting things to see here, that it’s impossible to see it all in 4 days. From toys, to comics, from t-shirts to posters, it’s just a madhouse of eye candy as far as the eye can see. That’s not all though, while you’re gallivanting through the isles and isles of nerd gold, there are all day panels presenting your favorite celebrities, comic book writers and artists, cartoon creators and voices, film directors, and special effects wizards.
All of these panels are very intimate and give you the chance to fulfill your dreams of asking a celebrity “Yes, hello, I was wondering…In episode #327, “Spock and Roll All Night!,” is it true that the shoes you were wearing were NOT regulation star fleet standard, but in fact were socks and sandals!?”, and making a complete fool out of yourself in front of hundreds of people. But that doesn’t matter, cause for one sweaty, shaky moment, for one faint, worthy second, you and your childhood memories lock eyes, and for just one fraction of a millisecond, you feel isolated from the rest of the world, and it’s just you and your celebrity idol, locking eyes, attention fixed.
It’s really an amazing opportunity, and it happens here, for hundreds of people, once a year. And, there’s 25 dollar hot dogs, what more could you possibly want?!

-Steve

*If your dreams don’t actually come true – don’t call me. ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/dreams_really_do_come_true.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/dreams_really_do_come_true.php Thu, 20 Jul 2006 19:39:24 -0800 QT_WriteOBJECT_XHTML('http://flash.sonypictures.com/movies/comiccon/SPE_SteveBlog.mov','320','255','','controller','true','loop','flase','target','myself','type','video/quicktime','bgcolor','#000000','autoplay','false');]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/one_on_one_with_steve.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/one_on_one_with_steve.php Thu, 20 Jul 2006 18:26:52 -0800
Today my first stop was the Sony Pictures panel presentation of Open Season. They opened the presentation with the trailer, which I have to admit, was pretty damn funny! I mean wild animals going buck wild (pun intended) on hillbilly hunters equals immediate hysterical laughter, (Especially if you’re a fan of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons, where he messes heavily with Elmer Fudd). You have to admit, there’s just something entertaining about watching animals kick the crap out of humans. Even if it’s real footage! Obviously if someone gets hurt, it’s not entertaining anymore….It’s hilarious! And this film seems ripe with splendid “animal-hurts-human” scenes!

On hand for the presentation was Steve Moore, the creator of the comic strip “In the Bleachers” which was the basis for the concept of the film. Also presenting was Jill Culton, the producer of the film, and Doug Ikeler, who was the visual effects supervisor. Everyone was really excited because Open Season will mark Sony Pictures first romp into the world of animation. Sony Pictures! I salute thee!

They then showed us a clip of the film. At first, I have to admit I was ready to rule it out as a typical buddy animated movie, with “wacky hi jinks!” and cheesy one liners. And as the clip went on, I realized that I was actually enjoying it! The clip had the two main characters breaking into a convenience store (which involved a shopping cart, and a glass door), and eating everything in sight. I mean, imagine a giant hungry bear and, a deer rampaging through a 7-11! It was truly entertaining and funny. From what I saw, I can tell you that the main character, Boog, is a domesticated brown bear, (voiced by Martin Lawrence) who lives in what looks like the garage of a mountain dwelling hillbilly.
His friend is a one antlered deer named Elliot (voiced by Ashton Kutcher), who attempts to get Boog to leave his domestic home, and travel into the wild. I’ll definitely check this one out when it hits theaters, cause who doesn’t want to watch two computer animated animals beat the crap out of gun toting hunters! Count me in!

Next up was the presentation of Surf’s Up, introduced by the producer Chris Jenkins. Oh man, this movie looks sooo damn good! It’s shot “documentary style” which I love so much when it’s comedic! I was reminded of Christopher Guest’s style of comedy, and improv when watching the second clip, which was the entire opening of the film. The first clip was a short teaser trailer that showcased the amazing animation of a penguin surfing in the ocean, with absolutely impressive water effects! I can’t miss this movie when it comes out, looks like the perfect film to take your friends to, and just pig out on nachos and popcorn, and then spitting it all out when laughing!
Which is something I’ve never done, honestly... This is Steve signing off!

-Steve ]]> http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/bears_deers_and_penguins_oh_my_1.php http://www.sonypictures.com/comicconblog/archives/2006/07/bears_deers_and_penguins_oh_my_1.php Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:30:09 -0800