Celebrityscraps

I’ve been dreaming about two things over the last 10 years. The first dream is obviously getting that small beach house in Caribbean with Kate Beckinsale… the second dream is Grim Fandango getting action figures!

ooh yes! These awesome Grim Fandango figures of our heroes Glottis and Manny; custom-made by Iain Reekie, are indeed awesome and deserve to be produced in their thousands!

If anyone feels like sending me one they will earn a place on my Xmas card list!

I’ve been meaning to write about this for the past week, but have only just got round to doing it.

On Tuesday news hit the web that Electronic Arts had shipped knuckledusters (brass knuckles) to some online game reviewers within the Godfather II press pack.

This obviously seemed like a great promo and is quite a clever novelty, however EA overlooked the small issue that knuckledusters are ILLEGAL in some states.
Possessing them is apparently a first-degree misdemeanor is most states.

Just another example of online engagement gone wrong!

Better luck next time EA!

A few days ago I had the pleasure to quiz my online pal Seth Caskey who’s an actor in LA.

As usual the format was 8 questions designed to tax the mind to the point of breaking while revealing as much of the inner workings of the subjects mind as possible.

Let’s see how Seth got on:

Q1: So what is an average day like in the Seth Caskey Universe?

No two days are alike, and that’s what I love about it. I’m somewhat of a workaholic, so I spend some time everyday working my craft. I love meeting and connecting with interesting people, online and off. I currently work a part-time “survival” job (that’s actor-speak for a non-acting job). I take my dog out for a hike around Runyan Canyon every morning, spend some time with my wife, drink at least six cups of coffee and am currently training for my next marathon. That’s about as typical as it gets.

Q2: Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I am currently shooting a web series called End Result with the extremely talented writing/directing team of Heath Vinyard and James Calahan. We are almost halfway through the first season with plans to have it ready to come out later this year.

Q3: Was acting always your number one choice of career?

Have I always wanted to be an actor? Yes. Was it always my number one choice of career? No. My wife and I got married straight out of college, and I felt a sense obligation to have a more predictable 9-5 job. I worked for a number of years in the communications field and eventually as a freelance graphic designer - all while pursuing acting part-time. It wasn’t until a few months before my 30th birthday that I stopped running from the one thing that makes me the happiest and approached my wife with the idea of moving to Los Angeles. That was a little more than two years ago, and it’s been the best journey ever.

Q4: If you could act in any tevision series (past or present) which would it be, and why?

Alias. The show redefined television. It introduced a kind of storytelling that wasn’t around in 2001. It was a relationship drama and action-adventure ride all at the same time. It introduced the concept of mythology and elements of science fiction that were completely accessible to the average viewer and totally grounded in the believability of its characters. The caliber of the cast was outstanding, and I believe it opened the door for many of today’s most successful shows. (and it’s JJ Abrams - come on)

Q5: What’s the funniest acting experience you have had during your career?

There have been quite a few, but one one that stands out was being onstage in my first musical, dancing my heart out with my zipper down. I thought the audience was laughing at my outstanding comedic performance. Nope, just the zipper.

Q6: If you were stuck on a desert island and you could bring 2 worldly items/people/things, what would they be?

John Locke and MacGyver.

Q7: You’ve got a very strong online presence with Twitter, Facebook, your personal site, and your blog. Do you think presence in social media is a must for professionals in the world of today?

Without a doubt. As a professional actor I am an entrepreneur and CEO of my own company. It’s impossible for a business to survive in today’s market without a strong web presence. I have been online since the late 90’s, but it has only been within the past few months that I’ve become strategic about social media specifically. Social media is about relationships. And success in any business comes from building strong relationships with your customers (fans), vendors (producers, writers, directors) and colleagues.

Taking a clue from some other actors who are doing this successfully like Brea Grant (@breagrant), Greg Grunberg (@greggrunberg) and Michael Urie (@michaelurie) and with the help some social media experts Laura Roeder (@lkr) and Patrick Redknap (@PatrickRedknap), I’m discovering ways to do this more effectively.

Q8: If you could be an animal for a day. What would it be and why?

HA! Great question. I would have to say my dog Schmiegel (@thedailyschmoo). I would give anything to know what he’s thinking as hs looks at me in certain moments, and what is it about eating someone else’s poop that is so damn appealing.

You can check out more of Seth and his projects at the following locations online:

Seth’s Official Site: http://www.sethcaskey.com

Seth’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/sethcaskey

Seth’s Blog: http://realityofdoing.wordpress.com

I also strongly recommend that you check out the web series End Result.

I just watched the first part and enjoyed it thoroughly….. beware though! Seth is dishing out some torture on one of the bad guys!

I’ve always made sure all my machines have up to date anti-virus software over the years. Most recently I began following the official AVG Twitter account (@officialAVGnews).

The boys and girls at AVG are nice enough to tweet about the various things happening in the world of personal computer security, which I think is a great way to reach consumers.

Anyway… earlier in the week I recieved a letter from London telling me that as I am one of their 100th-150th followers on Twitter I’ve won a license for AVG Internet Security 8.5 for the year………. Whoop!!

AVG are also running other promotions via their Twitter account so start following them now: @officialAVGnews

Last night I attended the BAFTA Video Game awards. I had a thoroughly good time, however my happiness was stained by the actions of local trash keying every panel of my car down to the base paint.

This is a problem that has been going on for a while in the area where I park my car to get the tube to central London. I’m sure the cops know of the problem but simply do not care!

My housemate has suggested that the only logical solution to the problem is to camp out in the bushes with various sharp implements, using the car as bait. Hopefully our local human garbage will come back for seconds and get a good keying themselves.

While I’m an upstanding citizen I can’t help feeling that vigilante justice in this case is justified, as this is the second time this has happened to me.

I guess I’ll see what the cops say first before I begin prepping the blowtorch and chainsaw!

Picked up this little beauty on FailBlog… I can see why it’s on there, but in all fairness the product looks quite good!

Shame about the name!

What do you think?

All i have to say is OMG! My Bro clued me in to this and I was in shock!

Enjoy! (sorry about Foriegn subs)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqw26yozesw&hl=en&fs=1]

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Anyone who knows anything about the gaming community knows that the masters of cinematic trailers are Blizzard Entertainment. Last week they released the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion’s cinematic trailer and yet again I’m blown away by it. These guys know how to make a good game trailer.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQsuIay6bA&hl=en&fs=1]

Things look to be on track for “Wrath of the Lich King” to be released by the end of Q4 - 2008……. guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

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So we’ve all seen the usual girl dumps guy over webcam “funny” vids. My housemate just discovered this and I have to post it cos it’s made me chuckle!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGbL1c0zQ0Q&hl=en&fs=1]

“I’m not even angry at her any more” - LEGEND!

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Ok… so it dawned on me today that I’m not the picture of fitness I was 2 years ago!

With this in mind and the recent improvement in my working situation i’ve decided to knuckle down and “improve” my health. My trusty housemate Ryan has agreed to drag me to the gym more often than the standard 2 times a week I’m managing.

Rule #1 - No Beer!

OK so I have some beer in the fridge and as of today I’m not allowed any more until I’ve lost a reasonable amount of weight to put me back in the the clothes I was wearing 2 years ago.

If i must have a tipple it’ll be a Gin (good stuff obviously) and tonic (slimline :S )

Rule #2 - More Gym

I’m only managing 2 trips a week at the moment which is pretty shit!… I’m going to aim for at least 4 trips a week and a 5th of just swimming! I might throw in some freeweights we have at home also!

Rule #3 - No Eating Crap Food

This means no sausages.. burgers… chips… etc…. Only salad.. chicken.. and low fat foods…! (If i have any of the above in the fridge/freezer they are fair game but i’m not buying any more junk. Also cut down on the high carb food.

Rule #3 - No Sugary Drinks

No sugary Cola…. no Lemonade…. no Red bull or Coffee with 8 sugars….

Try and take in more water daily!

HOW

I’m going to do a regular update on this blog detailing what I’ve done… I feel it will help me record stuff and help me be motivated and save myself looking like a lazy biatch!

I’ll start by saying my weight is “X” and each time I do a review I’ll say how much + or - the value of “X” I am.

Feel free to throw words of encouragement at me too!

GO ME!