New World Template...

Going viral...






One part of the future of online entertainment has gone live...

The Internet series on YouTube that I mentioned a while back has gone online today:

H+

If you'd like to see the series (and it's fascinating viral videos, fictional/real website or Brian Singer's introduction), the first two episodes have been put up for you to watch. You can subscribe to the channel to see the rest. Each episode varies in length since this isn't on normal television, the rules and restrictions don't apply.

H+ Episode One: "Driving Under."

H+ Episode Two: "On Their Level."

A new episode will be released every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. PST. This will continue until the finale in January of next year.

It's compelling sci-fi that deserves a look. Even if the series doesn't succeed, the format likely will. You can expect more shows like this to follow as the Web gets bigger and our world gets smaller. And the opportunities for more/alternative/creative shows and entertainment will broaden as the technology gets democratized. Warner Bros. Digital Distribution seems to get this and is moving forward proactively. The Question you have to wonder, is the Mouse doing so as well?

I'm just saying...

Being There: Pacific Rim...

Giant $%*#&W@ robots...





To see Guillermo del Toro work a crowd at Comic-Con is pure fun...

The man is an Uber-Geek and knows what the fans like because it's what he likes. Well, if you want to see the "Pacific Rim" panel then you now have the opportunity via YouTube. This is pretty much the entire panel, minus the footage. For that and more, you'll just have to wait to go see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" later this year.

Comic-Con: Pacific Rim Panel.

Be careful, as Guillermo's language is NSFW, but that's him...

A Future Without Rules, A World Without Walls...

You can connect, but will you disconnect...








The future isn't written, it's a path...

Media companies have come to rely less and less on the Big Four Networks as time has gone by. The days of sitting down to watch what was on the tube started to crack when Cable came out. Then with various other media sources, HBO, Showtime, etc. it slowly started to release the grip that those few networks had on the content viewers would get.

With the introduction of the Net, the world of Cable suddenly had competition. Not just from websites, but content that could be independently generated. But the promise of the Internet hasn't yet been fully realized. The potential that was there hasn't been able to break apart and show that it can be of the same quality as Network/Cable show.

Until now.

Take a look at this trailer for the new series produced by Brian Singer, entitled "H+" that just premiered. It looks incredibly professional, intriguing, disturbing and high quality. Like something that I'd find on network television or FX, or possibly A&E. But it's not on any of those channels. In fact it's not on a channel at all. It's a digital series that will premiere on YouTube on August 8. And it shows you not only what the future looks like in this apocalyptic series, it shows you what the world will be like in entertainment in the future as well.

I know that the Mouse is experimenting with a Disney YouTube Channel that is supposed to have original content ("Where's My Water," etc.), but they and other media giants need to take note of this kind of platform and focus on it.

It is the future...

Cars Show, D23 Style...

I am speed...







I didn't get to go to the D23 Expo panels on Sunday due to a previous commitment...

There were only two events I wanted to attend, if I had been about to be there on that day: the Marvel Panel and the Cars Land Panel. Well, thanks to the wonders of YouTube, you and I can watch that panel. Just imagine all those people that waited in line only to be told the room was full? They could have been riding something in the parks and just clicked on this once they got home. So here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Cars Land Panel One

Cars Land Panel Two

Cars Land Panel Three

And this time next year you'll be in another line; one for these attractions...

Expo-Tube...

For those that didn't attend the D23 Expo here is a surprise for you...

No long lines. No crappy, overpriced food. No dealing with screw-ups that shouldn't have happened. Just sit back in your chair and click the links. Watch them at your leisure and pause then to go to the bathroom or grab another drink from the fridge. Through the magic of YouTube you can be there.

Others have sacrificed for your pleasure:


Tom Staggs' Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Keynote - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Carousel of Projects - Disney and More has excellent coverage of this as well as here and more here.

Buena Vista Street Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Disney Legends Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6.

Talk with Mickey Presentation - Part 1, Part 2.

Voices from the Parks Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8.

Imagineering Cars Land Panel - Highlights here.

Walt Disney Studios Keynote - What, are you crazy? You think even we have that? Move along!


And now we can all wait for the next D23 Expo...

Programming...

I figured since it was the weekend, I'd give you some homework...

Earlier in the month I did a post called "Channeling Success" that got a good deal of interest among the Marvel/Disney fans. There are a treasure trove of videos to watch on YouTube's Marvel Channel. I figured we could spotlight a few of them that were interesting and entertaining all at once.

If you were a fan of Joss Whedon's run on "Astonishing X-Men" then you should watch the first episode of the motion comic to his "Gifted" series run.

Bono and The Edge doing an interview about their involvement in "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," parts One and Two.

A nice little clip of Stan Lee talking about "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2" with some nice scenes that he narrates with that famous voice of his.

Those of you that have seen "Iron Man 2" remember that wonderful Stark Expo 74 film that was a homage to Walt Disney and his dream of EPCOT? Well, here is the actual video of it to watch without having to pay an admission ticket.

Remember when we announced that Marvel was forming their own internal television division, titled appropriately, Marvel TV? Well, here's a short discussion with Mar TV's VP, Jeph Loeb about his initial plans.

And finally, a short teaser clip for the new "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" that premieres next year on Disney XD.

There are many more videos of interest and I suggest you go over and take a look at all the fun stuff. You guys should really be happy I'm such a caring guy. All this Marvel news is really starting to wear at my sensibilities. I'm taking one for the team for you people by reporting all this stuff.

After all, I'm a DC Guy...

Channeling Success...

I know that Blue Sky has reported on the proliferation of tights over all media lately...

With the films that Marvel Studious will make for Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures and perhaps even, Hollywood Pictures. Then there are the television shows that Disney XD has coming from the television division, as well as the DVD/Blu-Rays of films. Then there is cable with G4 and those Marvanime series. And then there are several projects long form and short form that are being talked about on the Burbank Lot.

I know we mentioned in a previous post that XD was becoming The Marvel Channel, but did you know that the comic company actually has it's own channel? Marvel Comics has its own channel for watching shows, interviews and content that you can't see much anywhere else. Not everyone does or has gone there, but you can. And you should because it's fun and filled with all kinds of geeky, awesome stuff.

What I'm talking about of course, is YouTube. You see, Marvel has a channel called, wait-for-it, "Marvel's Channel" on the website that has many series that you can't find anywhere else. Or you have to go out and buy them. Here you get to watch them, with an occasional ad, in all their splendor while sitting on that comfy sofa in your underwear.

So go over, take a look, sit down and stay a while. Pull up that footrest and adjust that lever for your perfect back position. Grab that big soda and that warmed-up slice of pizza and enjoy.

Relax and take in the coolness...

Channeling Tron...

You know, you tube, you me...





Click on, click over...
There has been lots of news since Comic-Con about the "Tron Legacy" film...

But have you checked out all the other "viral" or online media? There is Tron Legacy's Facebook site on Facebook. Then there is Tron Twitter for Tron Legacy over at Twitter. And even more interesting, is the Tron Channel for Tron Legacy on YouTube. There are many, many videos that you can watch to get clips, interviews, etc. and a great deal more of what to expect from this future tent pole.

Take a look, information is power, programs...

Luxolands...

If you weren't lucky enough to get to attend the D23 Expo then YouTube is here to save you...

There was a panel called "Imagineering Pixar for the Disney Parks" that had a fascinating conversation with Imagineers, Animators and Lasseter which any fan of the Lamp should love. Here for you to see is that panel, in eight glorious YouTube chapters.

I recommend watching all of the parts if you have the time. It's filled with thoughtful analysis by everyone with commentary you wouldn't expect from a company sponsored event. The last part is extremely candid with Lassetter offering up thoughts that I'm sure every Disney fan would be cheering in agreement.

Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Part Five.
Part Six.
Part Seven.
Part Eight.

Enjoy...

In Like Flynn At Comic-Con...

Oh, the power of YouTube...

The events at Comic-Con that the Mouse have been sponsoring for "TRON: Legacy" are ho so cool.

Check out these videos right here, here and here.

Of all the years I had to miss...

Color On The World...

For those of you wanting to know more about DCA's "World of Color" show, here's a real treat...

Steve Davison (the big Guru over in Disney Entertainment) gave a presentation where he offered a lot (but not all) of the details about the spring 2010 water show.

Luckily, someone has recorded this in HD and posted it to YouTube. Go have a look:

Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.

It's only a Spring away...


I believe the Hat Tip goes to AllEars.Net.

Monsters Vs Monsters...

Through the miracle of modern technology(ehem, YouTube) you to can now see what Tokyo gets that those of us in America don't...

Like I mentioned in my "There are Know Secrets Anymore" article last year, it's going be harder to hide the difference in quality between parks in the coming decades. Technology has freed us. We can now see what was once hidden by oceans and time. The Walt Disney Company(under old management, we should remember) took advantage of its guest when it designed mediocre attractions for the stateside parks and then build lavish ones for Tokyo. It's something that those Virtual Shareholders I mentioned would be able to bring to the public's attention. Never again will they be able to design an attraction like Superstar Limo and expect Disney Geeks not be able to compare it with what the Mouse builds in Tokyo or elsewhere. It doesn't matter that Disney doesn't pay for these attractions since the Oriental Land Company purchases it. The fact that the OLC subsidizes the technology is a benefit which gives less of an excuse as to why a lavish attraction should be built. As I've said before, the new management is more sensitive to this issue and has been much more responsive in giving the American parks these types of attractions. Granted Disneyland is benefiting from it more, but WDW will start to show signs of this policy as well. The economy is the main obstacle in Florida and that is only a temporary delay. Patience...

So there you have it, and here you have the difference in attractions:



Monsters, Inc. at DCA is here.



Monsters, Inc. at Tokyo Disneyland is here.

Odds & Ends, Bits & Piece 3: The Missing Links...

I thought we'd take this opportunity to explore some of what we missed in our last "OEBP" post...


Alain over at Disney and More has posted a huge collection of photos showing why Disneyland Paris is beautiful during Christmas. And don't forget to click over now that he's finally put up that article about TDL's Monsters Inc. ride. I'm sure you'll be impressed.

The guys over at Laughing Place have a great five page spread with photos from their newest issue of Tales From The Laughing Place Magazine. It's got some nice images and info on Disney's Animal Kingdom.

For those of you that love Uncle Scrooge and are fans of Ducktales then you might want to have a look at the original cartoon, "Scrooge McDuck and Money" that was done in the Sixties as the first animated outing of Carl Barks' legendary character. Part 1, Part 2.

And for those that are into such nostalgia and remember tuning in to watch the Wonderful World of Disney, here are several opening throughout the decades that bring back warm feelings...

A nice 60's opening to the WWOD when it was know as Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color is here.

An early 70's opening is the decade of confusion after the passing of Walt is here.

A late 80's opening when Michael Eisner could do no wrong is here and a late 80's/early 90's intro to the Disney Sunday Movie here.

An early 90's opening with the Mouse riding high from the Disney Afternoon and the expected opening of Euro Disneyland can be found here and here.

And speaking of the Disney Afternoon, here's that opening as well. Ahhh, for those early 90's days of Disney animation syndication!

And do you remember those early commercials for DCA? You know, the ones that were broadcast to show this new theme park that Disney had created for us? The one that couldn't fail because we would accept anything with the "Disney" name on it? No? Well if you haven't seen them they're here and here. Eisner and Pressler really had no clue, did they?

Oh, and if you ever checked out the early part of those VHS tapes(what are those?) in 2000 then you would have gotten to see this teaser for Disneyland's new sister park.

It's amazing what can happen over seven years, ain't it?

Well, that was nice. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to do some Christmas shopping...

Odds & Ends, Bits & Pieces 2: Mickey's Bulletpoints...

With the Thanksgiving weekend upon us, I thought we would take this opportunity to just take a look at several really cool items related to Disney from around the web...

In no particular order:

Over in Japan plans are underway for the Christmas holiday events. Ever wonder what the commercials for the resort look like? Well wonder no more thanks to the brilliance of YouTube.

A NOTE:YouTube has expanded its standard window size for its videos from a 4:3 normal TV square(425x344) to a widescreen ratio(640x360). So all those new Disney videos can be released more like cinema and with greater image quality...

Here's a commercial from Tokyo DisneySEA for this Christmas.

Here's a couple of commercials under the "Have A Dream" marketing campaign for the Tokyo Disney Resort as well, here and here. As well as a normal commercial for the Resort here and one advertised for summertime here.

Oh, and if you've never seen how they advertise for the Tower of Terror over there then take a look at this commercial for it as well. BTW, if you recognize that person playing the part of Harrison Hightower III, it's Disney Imagineer, Joe Rohde who's the czar over DAK.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of the TDR, check out the official websites holiday offerings for TDL's Christmas Fantasy here and here. And some merchandise for the Christmas Fantasy here and here.

Over at Tokyo DisneySEA they're not being left out of the festivities either. Here's the official website for the Harborside Christmas. Check out this official website for decorations at TDS's Christmas celebration also.

And if you liked some of those commercials for the site there are those and several more here.

And talk about being prepared in advance... the TDR already has their Valentines day celebration website up for the upcoming "Valentine Nights". It's purty...

Moving across the ocean over to the Asian mainland we come upon Hong Kong Disneyland. Did you know that China's first Disney Resort has an official YouTube channel filled with videos? Well, now you do. Expect to hear a lot of news about HKDL next year, as well as Asia in general and China in particular...

Crossing the ocean back to sunny California were they're going to be holding the upcoming 3D Entertainment Summit from December 1-2. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group president Mark Zoradi will be one of keynote speakers recently added to the schedule. It's going to be interesting to hear what he has to say about "Twilight"...

Disneynature's trailer for "Earth" has been released on YouTube as well.

If you've ever wanted to know what John Lasseter's five favorite films are then Rotten Tomatoes will satisfy that desire.

The American/English cast for "Ponyo on the Cliff" has been announced by Ghibliworld.

Speaking of Ponyo, the director of that film, Hayao Miyazaki has an interview over at Twitchfilm.

Finally, if you love animation then you'll know who Richard Williams is... for those that don't, he's the man that orchestrated the animation on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", and he's a brilliant animator. Well, his lifetime dream was a project he worked on for twenty-plus years known as "The Thief and the Cobbler". He was eventually thrown off the project and it was reworked as "Arabian Knight" for Miramax. It came and went without much fanfare, but if you'd like to see what his cut of the film looked like then check out this little gem on Google Video. Ahhh, the wonders of the web.

Till Monday, enjoy the holiday weekend. Blue Sky Disney will return...

Talking About Not Talking About It...

I made a vow to not talk about dogs for an entire week, so I couldn't mention to you that you could see another clip over at YouTube if you clicked here.

I mean, I could tell you about it, but then I'd be talking about it...

Which I won't.

There Are Know Secrets, Anymore...

The agreements between the Walt Disney Company and the Oriental Land Company provides that the OLC not advertise the resort outside Japan. When this began in 1983 with the original Tokyo Disneyland there was essentially no Internet. It was expanded in the late 90's when the park became a resort at a time when the Internet was just starting to become a factor around the world...

The Mouse put these agreements into place for various reasons, but one was to limit the exposure that Disney fans stateside could have to what they knew would be more elaborately funded attractions. In the new century with access to the net through sites like YouTube it's impossible to hide the knowledge of these rides and the experience of the Tokyo Disney Resort. Through the Internet, the OLC actually gets free advertising. The agreement is a relic of a bygone time and shows how quickly things can change. The great thing for the resort is that it doesn't have to advertise... the videos, images and fan websites we find on the web represent a "viral advertising" effort that doesn't have to be funded. Tokyo Disney Resort doesn't have to spend a dime and it gets free publicity. It's a self published environment that lets we Disney Fans/Geeks have access to information that helps us plan our vacations and give us valuable information when we hear Suits tell us about attractions that are "cutting edge" or "funding was limited" or my favorite, that the experiences at each park are "equally equivalent"...

Riiiiiiiiigggghhht.

In the future, when a Suit says that an attraction is world-class, we actually can compare them to their counterparts across the sea and make our own judgements. That makes some Mouse representatives uneasy... they have to actually back up what they promote. Information is a powerful tool. Let's use it wisely...

If you'd like some examples of what you can find out there, take a look at this professional video for the resort that was put together to show the wonder that is Tokyo DisneySEA. Part One. Part Two.

Also, the Travel Channel had a special on the air a few years ago that is almost impossible to find(wonder why?). Here are a couple parts of it... unfortunately it's only about half the show, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. Part One. Part Two.

With the advent of the Internet there is no stopping what can be found. No stopping what can be known...

Those at TeamDisney that didn't want this information out there are in an uncomfortable position. There are no secrets anymore.

Gone In Thirty Seconds...

Unlike some of those bootleg YouTube videos we've been seeing of "The Dark Knight" and others, it appears that Paramount Pictures is releasing the television spots for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" as a steady drip, drip, drip for Indy fans until the trailer hits this Friday. Check 'em out, they're cool and helping to keep up my addiction to the Man in the Hat. Thanks goes out to my drug dealer, Mr. George Lucas, you may have screwed up on the prequels, but I'm glad you've been trying to get out another Indy film... now if this one's any good I hope you don't waste too much time making another one. I don't want to see Indiana Jones using his whip from a wheelchair!

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