RIP Ray Harryhausen

Yesterday, Ray Harryhausen passed away at the age of 92. Take some time today to peruse his stop motion works and commemorate his life. This mini documentary is a good place to start and then be sure to spend some time browsing GIF versions of his work.

Hammer Chillers

You may have seen it over in the sidebar but recently Sam Smith was asked to illustrate the cover to the upcoming audio series Hammer Chillers. The series itself is akin to the radio dramas of days past but with a focus on horror stories written by a number of notable authors. Honestly, I just wanted to post about this so I could stare at Sam's incredible illustration in its largest size. Amazing work.

Barley: The Web Editor

I've seen a handful of inline web editors before but Barley seems to be part of a next level implementation of the concept. The intro video has the software looking really slick and easy to use. Even the more mundane training videos verify that their tactics are solid and this could very well be a wise route to go for clients that need to update their sites regularly but may get frustrated with a typical CMS. I'ma keep my eye on the team behind this, they seem to be on to something.

Youtube Trends Map

This official Youtube Trends Map is interesting for a number of reasons. First and foremost, if you encounter a video that your friends must see, you can check the map and see if you're just feeling in line with the rest of the nation. Probably so - that's how these viral things tend to work. Secondly, and perhaps more interestingly, is that the tool has Gender and Age filtering - making it possible to get a peek at exactly what it is that 65+ year olds are watching on Youtube.

Hotpipes Magic and Album

Today marks a number of milestones. I'll do my best to be brief about them all. First, the music video for Hotpipes "Magic Is Everywhere" debuted today. It's one of those videos that if you saw it when you were 15, they'd be your new favorite band. There's a lot of character representation going on that may or may not be part of a larger story. Also, awesome drums and amazing lighting effects. I've watched it an obscene amount of times. Get into it. Secondly, the Hotpipes album Dust that I've been berating you about is now fully available in both digital and physical formats. The LP is gorgeous but, more importantly, the music is stellar. It has all the ingredients one could ask for from a proper rock record. I can't endorse it enough. I'm sure this won't be the last mention of it.

Lastly, this marks the 20th release for yk records and it couldn't be for a finer release. This is a tiny pat on my own back but I'm really proud of all the music I've helped put out into the world. Help me continue to do so by devouring all of this.

Nice Guys Don't Finish Last, Nice Guys Finish Happy

About a month ago, Matt Mahaffey (of Self) gave a talk at TEDxNashville. That combo performance / speaking engagement is now available to watch in its entirety. In it, Mahaffey speaks to his experience being on a major record label, recording big radio friendly bands and working with ad agencies to create music for corporations. Unsurprisingly, all of these things required a great deal of compromise and not a lot of happiness. The talk ends on a high note and flies by with the interspersed songs thrown in - definitely worth a watch.

Akikomatic

The movie poster work of Akiko Stehrenberger it's many things - it's inspired, it's diverse, it's clever and it's, often, official. All of the work was commissioned by actual agencies and studios - not just self-imposed exercises in design. It's amusing to scroll through the work and see how the subject matter gets a bit more jovial and lighthearted as you go back in time - you can definitely see the legitimacy and trust this body of work has earned.

It's probably not cool to even mention Neil Kellerhouse in the same breath but they both are doing very impactful work in the same realm and you could easily say they're both at the top of the list of Best Of Breed.

Victor Kossakovsky's Displair

Watching the mini promo movie for Russian technologist Victor Kossakovsky is a bit unbelievable. His interactive holographic screenless screen - the Displair - looks straight out of any sci-fi movie. There's nothing but air (and tiny water particles) and it has a wavering and unsteady feel to it. Oh and it's entirely gesture based. The image gallery is cool but the video is even better. The name is an unfortunate combination of "Display" and "Air" but that seems to be the only bad part about it.

Return of the Fax

Faxxx back from Dead appears to be an ongoing art project of various faxed (and refaxed) images from Raquel Meyers, goto80 and Jacob Sikker Remin. The results are mixed but when they are great, they're really great.

via.

The Lively Morgue (Reminder)

Reminder: you should be reading the New York Times blog The Lively Morgue. Images like this or this are absolutely unbelievable. I mean, you have to admit your life is richer having seen this, right?

Moone Boy

I've been noticing a growing trend on Hulu lately where they are licensing BBC shows for US audiences. I first noticed it with Whites and now, several series later I am sure, it looks like they'll be airing Moone Boy this summer - a Chris O'Dowd vehicle. There have already been two series in the UK but the gap between BBC broadcast time and US broadcast time is shrinking.

Aside from this being great from an entertainment perspective, it's also more evidence of the shrinking relevance of Region exclusives and strict windowing.

Friday Videos - May 3rd, 2013

I can't believe it's May already. MAY!? Time really does whiz right by doesn't it? Fortunately we have this playlist to waste that fleeting time perfectly.

• The Dribble - is that Stage OJ? Why is this so oddly disgusting?
• Denise Reise - Trumpet Woman - this is the living version of this.
• Pogo - SquareBob SpongeMix - even if you have zero familiarity with the Spongebob show you can still find this enjoyable. Pogo's mixes are just so.... optimistic.
• Don & Bobby Draper Go See Planet of the Apes: The Musical - this won't make any sense if you aren't a fan of Mad Men or The Simpsons but it's a mashup that Matthew Weiner would be proud of. Also, if you aren't reading this you are missing out.
• The World's Smallest Movie - admittedly, this isn't that entertaining BUT it's a stop motion movie comprised of actual atoms. The manipulation involved with such a thing is pretty incredible and could be the first rudimentary step into solving some serious storage hurdles (bytes as atoms!).
• Karate Cop (1991) - you think it's going to be your standard Cop Who Does Karate movie but then they blend in some Mad Max craziness and some Sci-Fi Save The Children plotlines. This looks bonkers.

There's plenty of other goodness in here. Go enjoy!

Horror Icons Starring In Light Hearted Movies

There's not much more to say that isn't covered in the title of Horror Icons Starring in Light Hearted Movies so I'll just say that it's hard not to love this. I hope it keeps going.

Andy Baio on creativemornings

Austin's site reminded me that Andy Baio had done a lecture for creative mornings about Remix Culture. I've only seen about a third of it so far but I'm always a fan of being reminded of the notion that we're all building on the ideas of those before us and setting up groundwork for those after us. Make some time this weekend to watch it in its entirety.

Playing Dots

Patrick Moberg and Betaworks just released a new iOS game called Dots. You can get it in the iTunes store here. The game is incredibly simple but fascinatingly addictive and pleasurable to play. Oh, and the sound design is quite awesome too. Get this. It's free!

A Year Without The Internet

The Verge has a great piece from Paul Miller on his Internetless experiment from the past year. I'm still here: back online after a year without the internet is a look back at existing with a dumb phone, no Internet and nothing but good intentions of being productive and enjoying life. The epiphanies that stem from the article aren't too surprising but it's engaging to read about what life is like without these devices we're all tethered to. He lived a scenario we all ponder in one way or another and, thankfully, wrote a great piece about it.

Netherfriends - 50 Songs 50 States

Several people have tried the 50 States, 50 Songs style project (I'm looking at you Sufjan and Linnell) but it seems that Netherfriends has not only tackled it, he's completed it. Previously, I was only familiar with Netherfriends enjoyable Does Nilsson record but what I'm hearing of this 50 Songs 50 States undertaking is pretty engaging.

Negative Space Animals

Great collection of "Negative Space Animals from George Bokhua. Cute, simple and quite clever there's more to be seen on the full portfolio page. Also check out his Typographic Logos done in a similar simplistic style - very cool.

via.

This is Hotpipes Dust

I'm not done pestering you about Hotpipes news but I am happy to announce that you can now listen to the entire album. Prefer Spotify or Rdio? We got you covered. The vinyl version is still slated for official release next Tuesday, May 7th, but you can now enjoy the contents in its entirety on the Internet. I am confident that you will find the album every bit as enjoyable as I do - which is to say, Very Enjoyable.

Photos by Rachel Briggs

Steven Soderbergh's State Of Cinema

Do yourself a favor and find the time to read through this speech from Steven Soderbergh on the State of Cinema. He certainly covers some depressing ground but, at the end of the day, he seems quite optimistic. I loved this delineation between the terms "movie" and "cinema" - a popular ongoing debate:

The simplest way that I can describe it is that a movie is something you see, and cinema is something that's made. It has nothing to do with the captured medium, it doesn't have anything to do with where the screen is, if it's in your bedroom, your iPad, it doesn't even really have to be a movie. It could be a commercial, it could be something on YouTube. Cinema is a specificity of vision. It's an approach in which everything matters. It's the polar opposite of generic or arbitrary and the result is as unique as a signature or a fingerprint. It isn't made by a committee, and it isn't made by a company, and it isn't made by the audience. It means that if this filmmaker didn't do it, it either wouldn't exist at all, or it wouldn't exist in anything like this form.

via Adam Klaff.

Rik Oostenbroek: Next Level

It's easy to get jaded on designs and art preying on your nostalgic senses but put that pessmism to rest before checking out these Next Level pieces from Rik Oostenbroek. There's a fusion of 80's vibes going on - vibrant colors, blocky extrusions, NES - that works perfectly. The rest of the portfolio is equally saturated - well worth a browse.

via Chad.

Inaluxe

There's a variety of interesting work coming from Inaluxe but I'm mostly interested in the more abstract works. The pieces of birds and flowers are quite nice but I think their more vague shape pieces - like Coda II - are their finest.

Manon Wethly

It's pretty phenomenal that an Instagram profile can easily double as a solid, continuously updated, portfolio of works - complete with followers, likes and comments. Such is the case with Manon Wethly - a photographer with a penchant for flying paint, bokeh and shamed cats. She's got a blog as well with even more material but the Instagram convenience factor is sure to win out if you're looking to keep up with her new creations.

NORM

I may have mentioned the band NORM before and included some music on We Own This Town podcasts but it's worth pointing out that there's now a full-length self-titled album now available. It's probably selling it a bit short to call it Melancholy Pop but it's the immediate, accessible, description that comes to mind. A good portion of the album is upbeat with an underlying sad bite to it. Start with On To You and then dive further in.

Ecstasy Of Order: The Tetris Masters

I'm really happy to announce that Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters is now available for order and Powered By VHX. It's great that it's on the VHX platform but, regardless, it's a fun movie for anyone that enjoyed the likes of Indie Game: The Movie, Minecraft: The Story of Mojang. It's a documentary about a group of dedicated players trying to win the title of Tetris Master. It might be nerdy but, at its core, it's got heart. Seeing anyone struggle for a prize is worth watching and the tale of Thor (real name) is worth investing your time in.

If you do decide to buy it, you can use the code "longbardrought" to get it for just $5. The coupon will expire after 100 people use it, so get on it!