Adventures in T-shirt Land

johnrossbowie: lastlodge: I was never restricted. I was never...

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:18:10 -0400

lastlodge:

I was never restricted. I was never told what to do.

-Ray Harryhausen

A lot of really annoying political news right now, but let’s just focus on the great work of Ray Harryhausen. Here’s a bunch of gifs from the 1982 Clash of the Titans (and a couple of his other films). Sweet dreams, internet.

jvzdesigns: “Hello Zippy” by jayveezed (@jvzdesigns) available...

Thu, 02 May 2013 04:42:15 -0400

jvzdesigns:

“Hello Zippy” by jayveezed (@jvzdesigns) available at RedBubble and Society 6 - #rainbow #britishTV #hellokitty

All we need now are George and Bungle ;o)

L’Empire de la Mort - Stephen Sanderson Photo taken at...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:14:42 -0400

L’Empire de la Mort - Stephen Sanderson

Photo taken at the Catacombs of Paris.

In Lyra’s world the Chthonic Railway is the mirror of the...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:00:00 -0400

In Lyra’s world the Chthonic Railway is the mirror of the London Underground. I’ve given it an appropriate ‘old style’ monochrome tube style logo.

Available here.

karenhallion: Reposting this article to support my friends in...

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:48:21 -0500

karenhallion:

Reposting this article to support my friends in the VFX industry, especially at Rhythm and Hues.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

The Oscar protest that you didn’t know happened

If you watched the Academy Awards tonight, you may have noticed an awkward music cut-off during the Life of Pi Visual Effects acceptance speech. It may have looked like they were just stopping a long running speech, but in truth the speaker was about to mention a hot button topic of the evening, and many people think it was cut short intentionally to hide the truth.

Most viewers were unaware of this incident and most media outlets failed to report on it, but outside the Dolby Theater, there were over 400 picketers protesting the poor state of the visual effects industry. Although it was being ignored on the televised broadcast, it started gaining momentum online during the ceremony, and is finally getting the media attention it was lacking.

So what is the protest about?
The film Life of Pi was nominated for Visual Effects (and won!), but sadly the studio that did the effects for the movie (Rhythm & Hues) had to file for bankruptcy a few weeks ago, and laid off close to 250 employees. The protest was named “A Piece of the Pi” to show that the VFX studio behind the film weren’t getting their share of its success.

Photo credit: @tvaziri (pic.twitter.com/JjGOJ8zsQg)
This tragic story is just one example of the poor state of the VFX industry. With overseas competition, domestic VFX houses have been surviving on less than 5% profit margins, and other studios have gone bankrupt as well (see: Digital Domain). Supporters decided it was time to raise awareness to figure out how to stop this from continuing, so they set up a protest outside the Oscars.

Photo credit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/feb/25/oscars-protest-life-of-pi, right photo unknown

Sadly, the media did not report on the protest at all, and there was no mention of it on the televised broadcast. But the Internet can always be counted on in cases like these, to get the truth out there.

When Life of Pi won for Visual Effects, everyone was listening intently to hear any mention of the protest happening outside. But when Bill Westenhofer was done giving his thank yous and tried turning the subject to Rhythm and Hues, the orchestra music obnoxiously drowned him out until his mic was turned off (watch the video here).

When this happened, the #VFXProtest hashtag on Twitter went nuts calling foul play:

The next opportunity for visibility came when Ang Lee gave his speech for winning Best Director for Life of Pi. While he did thank “all 3,000 people” who worked on the movie, he didn’t mention Rhythm & Hues by name (possibly just an oversight), and that enraged the protestors and fueled the fire even further:

So let’s view the reality of the situation. Even if these 2 incidents were unrelated to the protest, it still seems like the Academy handled this situation poorly. The speech being cut off could have been purely about Westenhofer going over his time limit. And Ang Lee may have honestly just forgotten to mention them in all his excitement. But the damage has been done. People are angry, and the events from tonight are only fueling that anger further.

In the hours since the Oscars ended, throngs of people are changing their profile picture to a solid green square. This represents a green screen, which temporarily substitutes for effects during a film shoot so they can be added later. It looks like it started from the Facebook group VFX Solidarity, which has been “liked” more than 7,000 times since last night.

This movement seems to be just getting started. It will be interesting to see big it gets, despite being ignored by the Oscars. To me, it represents the Internet’s ability to reach beyond corporations and businesses, and get the truth out there.

My hope is that it really does raise awareness to these issues, and make it possible for real discussions to be had. They will need to start thinking about tangible solutions, but as we’ve seen before, the first step to solving any problem is to raise awareness. The success of the film industry depends on it.

http://thebigsocialpicture.blogspot.ca/2013/02/the-oscar-protest-that-you-didnt-know.html?spref=fb

https://www.facebook.com/VfxSolidarityIntl

rmgdesign: #Psycho Mosaic :) (via “Psycho” mosaic) Don’t...

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:35:28 -0500

rmgdesign:

#Psycho Mosaic :) (via “Psycho” mosaic)

Don’t think it’s mentioned explicitly on the website (apologies if it is), but these Hitchcock mosaics can be found at Leytonstone tube station in East London.

Lenticular Clouds Over Mount Fuji, Japan. I believe this may...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:29:23 -0500

Lenticular Clouds Over Mount Fuji, Japan.

I believe this may be, um, photoshopped! Original image can be found here; http://entersection.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/mount_fuji-japan-lenticular_cloud-hat.jpg

robpwood: Over the last several months Doctor Pooh has been...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 03:40:41 -0400

robpwood:

Over the last several months Doctor Pooh has been away and unfortunately suffered a CATastrophic accident. BUT AS YOU KNOW… this is not the end of the Timelord with little brain… he has regenerated.

Being a close friend of the previous generation, he’s kindly sent me a pic of his re-generation’s body…

I have to warn you though… He’s ginger (which I get the impression he quite likes)!

So without further ramblings, may I introduce ‘Doctor Hu-huh-huh-Whooo’…

Oh, and he’s asked me to tell you… “It’s Tigger on the Inside”!

Available at RedBubble (in more formats than regenerations [unless this one has 9 regenerations alone??])

blimation: A Pug’s Life available as a print, phone skin and...

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:45:24 -0400

blimation:

A Pug’s Life

available as a print, phone skin and shirt etc on Society6 and Redbubble

facebook | Redbubble | society6 | Twitter | Tumblr

jramboz: mamasith: chokokuka: Vote Imperial! Available from...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:25:45 -0400

jramboz:

mamasith:

chokokuka:

Vote Imperial!

Available from my Redbubble store.

Death Star version here.

Imperial badge version here.

gimme

Am I the only one who thinks it’s odd that Vader is the VP? I mean, if it were Palpatine/Vader, I could understand. Maybe Vader is planning to force choke his way into the Oval Office after the election?

“Am I the only one who thinks it’s odd that Vader is the VP? I mean, if it were Palpatine/Vader, I could understand. Maybe Vader is planning to force choke his way into the Oval Office after the election?”

Fair point :o) My draft design did have Vader as Pres. In my defence I present the following evidence, a quote by one Princess Leia; ‘Governor Tarkin. I should have expected to find you holding Vader’s leash…’

Vote Imperial! Available from my Redbubble store. Death Star...

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:29:03 -0400

Vote Imperial!

Available from my Redbubble store.

Death Star version here.

Imperial badge version here.

Photo

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:21:10 -0400

blimation: On goodjoe.com as a tee shirt (not animated of...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 03:59:47 -0400

blimation:

On goodjoe.com as a tee shirt (not animated of course!) for a limited time only!

facebook||Redbubble||society6||Twitter||Tumblr

Too cute for words!

jedibusiness: tuesdayromantic: geniusbee: ll: NASA just...

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:44:12 -0400

jedibusiness:

tuesdayromantic:

geniusbee:

ll:

NASA just landed a rover on Mars, this is the very first picture. This JUST happened minutes ago.

1:42am EST 8/6/2012

I am literally speechless with awe

Golly *A*

Just imagined the rover looking at this view like Luke in A New Hope. Cue Binary Sunset by John Williams

Hold on one moment! This is from the Spirit mission - picture taken in 2005.

ianbrooks: Ring of Mirrors by Arnaud Lapierre Located in Place...

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:46:17 -0400

ianbrooks:

Ring of Mirrors by Arnaud Lapierre

Located in Place Vendôme in Paris, you’re so vain you probably think this exhibit is about you.

Artist: Website (via: Juxtapoz)

karenhallion: My husband sent back his Eagle Scout badge today,...

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:30:04 -0400

karenhallion:

My husband sent back his Eagle Scout badge today, making me proud and heartbroken. Here is the full text:
July 25, 2012

Boy Scouts of America

National Executive Board

1325 Walnut Hill Lane

PO Box 152079

Irving, Texas 75015-2079

Dear Mr. Mazzuca,

I should have written this letter years ago. I honestly hoped that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) would come around and do the right thing for the boys of this country. After the announcement on July 7, 2012, it is clear that the organization is not ready for that. The decision of your special committee is very disheartening.

I should have written this letter in 2000 when the organization’s right to limit its membership was upheld by the Supreme Court, not because I think it shouldn’t have that right, but because I think it shouldn’t have sought it. I agree that private organizations have the right, under the Constitution to set their own membership guidelines as part of the Freedom of Speech in the First Amendment; however, I think this stance of the BSA is remarkably short-sighted.

As you know, scouts are taught to “help other people at all times”. Excluding children and adults based on their sexual orientation or lack of religious beliefs doesn’t “help” anyone. It certainly doesn’t help a population of people who are among the most discriminated against in the nation and it does a tremendous disservice to kids already participating in the scouting program. Many of the things that become pillars of our characters are learned during the years that scouting serves its members. When a person in a position of authority says that someone is unfit to be a member of a group, they are teaching the people in that group that that someone is unworthy, less than they are. The BSA maintains, in their press release of June 7, 2012, that “The BSA welcomes all who share its beliefs but does not criticize or condemn those who wish to follow a different path”. That is a pretty bit of language, designed to make it seem like sexual orientation is just a decision that some people make, like dyeing their hair or becoming a vegetarian. Sexual orientation is different. Science tells us it is different. LGBT individuals do not choose to follow a different path, anymore than others chose to be straight. When the organization chooses to shut out a group of people, it diminishes itself by denying the chance to learn about and from that group.

Much has been made of the effect this decision has on the LGBT community, but I would also like to address the issue of atheism. A scout is reverent, and many take that to mean godly, and while that can be part of it, it is not the whole of it. Reverent is derived from reverence, which is “honor or respect felt or shown”, according to Merriam-Webster. Atheists have a place in scouting as well, for atheists can feel reverence.

I should have written this letter years ago, but I didn’t want to believe that the BSA was so entrenched in itself that it would fail to heed the voices of its members, fail to be a force for tolerance and acceptance, fail to live up to its own motto, and oath, and law, the oath and pledge that every Scout undertakes and upholds. Every time membership is denied or revoked from one child or one leader or one parent volunteer, the BSA breaks each of these basic tenants of scouting.

Scouting was very important to me during my formative years. It was one of the only outlets I had for camping, as my mother didn’t enjoy it. It gave me lifelong friends. My best friend and best man at my wedding is someone I might never have met if it weren’t for scouts. It taught me things I use to this day; every time I tie our Christmas tree to the roof of our car, every time I truss a chicken to get it ready for roasting, when I put up a rope swing in the backyard for my 7 year old son. In fact, every time I hold a length of rope or string, my hands know what to do with it, which knot or hitch is the right one to use for the occasion, all because of the knots I learned more than 20 years ago at Wild Goose camp. I’m deeply saddened to think that my two wonderful sons will not have the opportunity to have the same important and life-changing experiences that I did because the exclusionary policies of the Boy Scouts will prevent them from being members.

I should have written this letter years ago but I didn’t want to let go of one of my proudest achievements to-date. I attained the rank of Eagle in 1991, and I have been deeply proud of it ever since. On my trail to Eagle, I learned so many vital lessons that have guided me and continue to guide me in my life today. My troop was a place of tolerance and inclusion, as much as it could be in the late ‘80s. It is unthinkable to me that we would have denied membership or revoked membership for reasons of sexual orientation or of religious beliefs. Our troop was not set up that way, nor were we taught that qualities existed that people might possess that would cause us to turn our backs on them. We served at soup kitchens, we collected canned goods and we volunteered. We took part in many Eagle service projects, as there were many committed boys in my troop, angling to get their name up on our plaque. Earning the rank of Eagle was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance on my part, and an intrinsic part of my character that is dedicated to service and to help others, no matter who or what they are.

My wife, boys, and I have moved many times over the years and inevitably the medal itself has been packed away in a box for a while now. But that’s ok, because I realized long ago that I didn’t need to see the medal to feel the enormous pride that it gave me. That pride is in the past now and I can no longer pretend that the organization is the same one that taught me about life when I was growing up or that I retain any sense of pride in having earned this medal. The decision that the committee has reached, behind closed doors, to uphold its institutional right to deny access to a group of people who would both benefit from and be a benefit to Scouting, is one I cannot stand with. I am enclosing my Eagle Badge, as it does not stand for the things it did when I earned it. I am also enclosing my Eagle patch, as it too does not represent the ideals it did when I received it. I am even enclosing the box, the box that is too small for my worldview and the people of character that I think have value, but the Boy Scouts of America does not.

I desperately hope that the Boy Scouts will find a way out of this dark chapter in its existence. I believe it still has great things to do, but until it changes its narrow minded membership policies, it will have to do so without me, and more importantly, more heart-breakingly, without my sons.

Disappointedly,

Matthew Hallion Senior Patrol Leader

Troop 53

Swampscott, MA

purplecactus: Do the happy dance cos my tee is selling at...

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 03:32:58 -0400

purplecactus:

Do the happy dance cos my tee is selling at Othertees for the next few days. Now stop dancing and go buy it!

tshirtroundup:

Limited Edition Tshirt: SpectreSpecs by PurpleCactus is on sale for £7.50/€9/$12 from OtherTees for 3 days only.

A four colour version of my Alderaan Mission Patch design is up...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:14:55 -0400

A four colour version of my Alderaan Mission Patch design is up for voting on Qwertee. Please feel free to drop by and give it a vote if you like the design. Point your browser in the following direction: http://www.qwertee.com/product/alderaan-mission-patch/

You will need to sign up with your email address if you wish to vote.

doodledojo: We’re off to see the Doctor, the wonderful Doctor...

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:49:10 -0400

doodledojo:

We’re off to see the Doctor, the wonderful Doctor of Who.

Available on Redbubble and Society6.

Doodle Dojo | Facebook

‘America’ - available from my redbubble store.

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 18:12:49 -0400

‘America’ - available from my redbubble store.