SciFi Vision - Where Fiction and Reality Meet
An Old Friend: A Year Since "LOST"
By AJ Grillo
May 23, 2011
It is time to revisit an old friend, not that this friend has ever been far from my thoughts. I am speaking of Lost. We are one year removed from the series finale, and websites and chat rooms all over the world are doing a re-watch of the finale. Lost was an amazing roller coaster ride of mystery and intrigue. It made us think; we could play along with the cast of characters in trying to figure out what was going on. A few times from season four on I was afraid that the journey was going to be better than the destination. Was I right? Possibly. Then again, why did it matter?
Lost kept us riveted for six years. I myself had the honor of being there for the beginning of the "web mazes." Lost related fan sites popped up everywhere, not to mention all the official online content. This was the first time that a show had bridged the gap of television and internet so flawlessly. Even when Lost was on hiatus we still had plenty of online content to mess with to keep us occupied.
However, after awhile it seemed Lost had presented too many questions for them to all be answered: what's the smoke monster, what are the whispers, who are The Others, and hundreds more. But none so prolific as the line that became the benchmark of the show uttered by Charlie in season one, "Guys, where are we?" Did Lost answer the many, many questions presented? Some yes. Were we happy with some of those answers, mostly not.
In the end, it didn't matter. Lost was not about the island per se. Yes, the island itself was a character, but the show was a character driven show about survivors of a plane crash who happened to be on a mystical island with unusual abilities. The characters themselves were "lost" in life, not just on the island. It was about redemption and finding themselves.
May 23, 2011
It is time to revisit an old friend, not that this friend has ever been far from my thoughts. I am speaking of Lost. We are one year removed from the series finale, and websites and chat rooms all over the world are doing a re-watch of the finale. Lost was an amazing roller coaster ride of mystery and intrigue. It made us think; we could play along with the cast of characters in trying to figure out what was going on. A few times from season four on I was afraid that the journey was going to be better than the destination. Was I right? Possibly. Then again, why did it matter?
Lost kept us riveted for six years. I myself had the honor of being there for the beginning of the "web mazes." Lost related fan sites popped up everywhere, not to mention all the official online content. This was the first time that a show had bridged the gap of television and internet so flawlessly. Even when Lost was on hiatus we still had plenty of online content to mess with to keep us occupied.
However, after awhile it seemed Lost had presented too many questions for them to all be answered: what's the smoke monster, what are the whispers, who are The Others, and hundreds more. But none so prolific as the line that became the benchmark of the show uttered by Charlie in season one, "Guys, where are we?" Did Lost answer the many, many questions presented? Some yes. Were we happy with some of those answers, mostly not.
In the end, it didn't matter. Lost was not about the island per se. Yes, the island itself was a character, but the show was a character driven show about survivors of a plane crash who happened to be on a mystical island with unusual abilities. The characters themselves were "lost" in life, not just on the island. It was about redemption and finding themselves.
"The Voice:" Artists Content with Format & Results
By Karen Moul
The Voice Battle Rounds continue, with celebrity coaches sending four more performers home each week. America won't get to vote until the field has been reduced by at least half. But despite being eliminated early, recent performers say they wouldn't change the show's format.
Pop singer Kelsey Rey feels "the coaches did a great job working with us, regardless of the outcome. I think that the whole show was such a great experience, and what we learned from it was amazing."
Adds Rey, "I don't think there should be anything changed about the show, because everything does happen for a reason. And all [of us]...have great things coming for us. That's all thanks to the show. I don't think that anything should have changed."
Rebecca Loebe agrees. "The format of the show," says the folksinger, "with the blind auditions is incredibly intriguing, and has caught a lot of people's attention, for sure.
"And something that I appreciated," she continues, "is that they really had a lot of respect for a diversity of creative expression. They didn't try to change what anyone did, you know?"
The Voice Battle Rounds continue, with celebrity coaches sending four more performers home each week. America won't get to vote until the field has been reduced by at least half. But despite being eliminated early, recent performers say they wouldn't change the show's format.Pop singer Kelsey Rey feels "the coaches did a great job working with us, regardless of the outcome. I think that the whole show was such a great experience, and what we learned from it was amazing."
Adds Rey, "I don't think there should be anything changed about the show, because everything does happen for a reason. And all [of us]...have great things coming for us. That's all thanks to the show. I don't think that anything should have changed."
Rebecca Loebe agrees. "The format of the show," says the folksinger, "with the blind auditions is incredibly intriguing, and has caught a lot of people's attention, for sure.
"And something that I appreciated," she continues, "is that they really had a lot of respect for a diversity of creative expression. They didn't try to change what anyone did, you know?"
Favorites Advance on "The Voice"
By Karen Moul
The Voice's second Battle Round brought few surprises as several high-profile contestants moved on to the next stage of the competition. Powerhouses Javier Colon, Beverly McClellan, and Nakia all blew the coaches away with their blind auditions, so wins in the Battle Round were not a big surprise.
The toughest battle of the week was probably Tje Austin vs. Nakia, a matchup Austin described as "kind of like pairing Sade up against Janis Joplin." They were both great singing Ne Yo's "Closer" but when it was over, Austin went home. Nakia has been featured heavily in NBC promos, so his victory was not a huge surprise to regular viewers.
Leaving early was difficult for Austin. "I think that getting eliminated from the Battle Round is probably the hardest round to get eliminated from. For me," he said, "it would be great to be eliminated by America's choice."
"It's just hard," added Austin, "getting eliminated in the Battle Round when I feel that while Nakia is a great artist - he's a great guy, great artist - I would love to know what America would have thought, you know?"
The Voice's second Battle Round brought few surprises as several high-profile contestants moved on to the next stage of the competition. Powerhouses Javier Colon, Beverly McClellan, and Nakia all blew the coaches away with their blind auditions, so wins in the Battle Round were not a big surprise.The toughest battle of the week was probably Tje Austin vs. Nakia, a matchup Austin described as "kind of like pairing Sade up against Janis Joplin." They were both great singing Ne Yo's "Closer" but when it was over, Austin went home. Nakia has been featured heavily in NBC promos, so his victory was not a huge surprise to regular viewers.
Leaving early was difficult for Austin. "I think that getting eliminated from the Battle Round is probably the hardest round to get eliminated from. For me," he said, "it would be great to be eliminated by America's choice."
"It's just hard," added Austin, "getting eliminated in the Battle Round when I feel that while Nakia is a great artist - he's a great guy, great artist - I would love to know what America would have thought, you know?"
Smith, Vernon, Nankin, & Kreisberg Talk "Red Faction:Origins"
By Jamie Ruby
Red Faction: Origins, which premieres tonight, June 4th, on Syfy, is based on the popular video game franchise Red Faction. The story takes place between Red Faction Guerilla and the recently released Red Faction Armageddon.
The story follows Stargate Universe's Brian J. Smith as Jake Mason, officer in the Red Faction Militia, and son of Alec Mason (Robert Patrick), who originally led the Martian Colonies to their freedom twenty-five years ago. Jake's sister Lyra (Tamzin Merchant) was kidnapped twelve years ago, but after he discovers her to be alive he must try to reunite his family, even if his sister is no longer on their side.
The movie also stars Battlestar Galactica's Kate Vernon as The Matriarch, Danielle Nicolet as Tess De La Vega, Gareth David-Lloyd as Hale, and Devon Graye as Leo.
Red Faction: Origins was directed by Michael Nankin, and the screenplay was written by Andrew Kreisberg.
Smith, Vernon, Nankin, and Kreisberg recently sat down with the media to discuss their new film, airing tonight on Syfy.
Red Faction: Origins, which premieres tonight, June 4th, on Syfy, is based on the popular video game franchise Red Faction. The story takes place between Red Faction Guerilla and the recently released Red Faction Armageddon.The story follows Stargate Universe's Brian J. Smith as Jake Mason, officer in the Red Faction Militia, and son of Alec Mason (Robert Patrick), who originally led the Martian Colonies to their freedom twenty-five years ago. Jake's sister Lyra (Tamzin Merchant) was kidnapped twelve years ago, but after he discovers her to be alive he must try to reunite his family, even if his sister is no longer on their side.
The movie also stars Battlestar Galactica's Kate Vernon as The Matriarch, Danielle Nicolet as Tess De La Vega, Gareth David-Lloyd as Hale, and Devon Graye as Leo.
Red Faction: Origins was directed by Michael Nankin, and the screenplay was written by Andrew Kreisberg.
Smith, Vernon, Nankin, and Kreisberg recently sat down with the media to discuss their new film, airing tonight on Syfy.
John Zaffis is the "Haunted Collector"
By Jamie Ruby and Kenn Gold
Written by Jamie Ruby
John Zaffis is what people would call a collector, and has been for more than thirty years. However, what he collects is not what one would expect. Zaffis collects objects that have been inhabited by paranormal spirits or engery. He is both a paranormal researcher and a demonologist. Each week on Syfy's new reality series Haunted Collector, Zaffis, along with his family, try to help people who are being haunted by something in their home.
Zaffis and his team use both hi-tech gear, such as audio and video recorders, EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field) meters, and FLIR cameras, and "low-tech" items, such as talcum powder and sea salt, to detect and contain supernatural activity or energy.
Zaffis works to identify what object is causing the problem and then removes it from their home and puts it in his paranormal museum in Connecticut, or buries it if need be, to neutralize the negative energy.
Haunted Collector airs Wednesdays at 9pm (ET/PT) on Syfy.
John Zaffis and the executive producer of Haunted Collector, Rick Sasson, recently talked to the digital media, including Jamie Ruby of SciFi Vision and Kenn Gold of MediaBlvd, about his new reality series and his paranormal investigations.
Written by Jamie Ruby
John Zaffis is what people would call a collector, and has been for more than thirty years. However, what he collects is not what one would expect. Zaffis collects objects that have been inhabited by paranormal spirits or engery. He is both a paranormal researcher and a demonologist. Each week on Syfy's new reality series Haunted Collector, Zaffis, along with his family, try to help people who are being haunted by something in their home.Zaffis and his team use both hi-tech gear, such as audio and video recorders, EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field) meters, and FLIR cameras, and "low-tech" items, such as talcum powder and sea salt, to detect and contain supernatural activity or energy.
Zaffis works to identify what object is causing the problem and then removes it from their home and puts it in his paranormal museum in Connecticut, or buries it if need be, to neutralize the negative energy.
Haunted Collector airs Wednesdays at 9pm (ET/PT) on Syfy.
John Zaffis and the executive producer of Haunted Collector, Rick Sasson, recently talked to the digital media, including Jamie Ruby of SciFi Vision and Kenn Gold of MediaBlvd, about his new reality series and his paranormal investigations.
"Goodnight Burbank’s" Hayden Black and Laura J. Silverman
By Cody Deal
Hayden Black is a one man powerhouse in the world of New Media web series. Previously known for the viral hit, Abigail's Teen Diary, which featured Hayden in drag as a 13 year old with a disease making her look like, well, Hayden Black, for the comedy-horror The Occulterers, and for a previous incarnation of Goodnight Burbank done in 5 minute topical shorts, Hayden has re-launched the concept Goodnight Burbank as the first 30 min web comedy series, which is currently finishing up season one on Hulu. Black does it all, writing, acting, producing and marketing the series which also stars comedic genius, Laura J. Silverman. The series focuses on the local nightly news, and exactly what happens when the cameras cut away. The pair recently appeared on MediaBlvd Radio, where they were interviewed by MediaBlvd's team (Kenn Gold and Jamie Ruby), along with special celebrity co-host, Alighty Thor's Cody Deal.
Hayden Black is a one man powerhouse in the world of New Media web series. Previously known for the viral hit, Abigail's Teen Diary, which featured Hayden in drag as a 13 year old with a disease making her look like, well, Hayden Black, for the comedy-horror The Occulterers, and for a previous incarnation of Goodnight Burbank done in 5 minute topical shorts, Hayden has re-launched the concept Goodnight Burbank as the first 30 min web comedy series, which is currently finishing up season one on Hulu. Black does it all, writing, acting, producing and marketing the series which also stars comedic genius, Laura J. Silverman. The series focuses on the local nightly news, and exactly what happens when the cameras cut away. The pair recently appeared on MediaBlvd Radio, where they were interviewed by MediaBlvd's team (Kenn Gold and Jamie Ruby), along with special celebrity co-host, Alighty Thor's Cody Deal.Exclusive: Jeff Davis on MTV's "Teen Wolf" Remix
Exclusive Interview with Jeff Davis
Interview by Jamie Ruby and AJ Grillo
Written by Jamie Ruby
MTV premieres it's newest remake this summer, Teen Wolf. The series stars Tyler Posey as new werewolf Scott McCall in the adaptation. He is joined by his potential love interest Allison Argent, played by Crystal Reed. Dylan O'Brien plays Scott's best friend, Stiles, and Tyler Hoechlin plays Derek Hale, the wolf who tries to help Scott with his new lifestyle. Other cast includes Holland Roden as Lydia Martin and Colton Haynes as Jackson Whittemore.
Creator and executive producer of the series, Jeff Davis, who is probably best known as the creative mind behind the television series Criminal Minds, sat down for an exclusive interview with Scifi Vision to talk about his newest series.
Davis first started writing screen plays when he was only sixteen. "I always said if I had a social life in high school I probably wouldn't be a writer. I started writing scripts, I actually wrote a novel in high school, which is bizarre. I went to USC for grad school, starting off in directing, and realized I didn't have any time to do what I really wanted, which was write. So I switched over to the screenwriting program at USC. Got my masters in screenwriting and was lucky enough to get a feature script optioned pretty much right after leaving. I worked and slaved in IT as a computer specialist for awhile, and then sold a couple of scripts to movies, was getting caught in development hell...
"But I was getting very frustrated that nothing was getting made. And I said to my agent, "Well they make stuff in TV. They have to; they have deadlines and air space to fill on their channels," so I had an idea for a TV show, and that became Criminal Minds. I've just kind of taken off from there."
Davis did not have trouble switching gears to work on Teen Wolf. "The funny thing is is I did Criminal Minds and that was a show about monsters as well, they were just human. And its moving from the suspense genre to a more horror comedy thriller type story. It's actually been a lot of fun for me as a writer to be able to transition from something pretty serious and dark to something a little more fantastic."
Interview by Jamie Ruby and AJ Grillo
Written by Jamie Ruby
MTV premieres it's newest remake this summer, Teen Wolf. The series stars Tyler Posey as new werewolf Scott McCall in the adaptation. He is joined by his potential love interest Allison Argent, played by Crystal Reed. Dylan O'Brien plays Scott's best friend, Stiles, and Tyler Hoechlin plays Derek Hale, the wolf who tries to help Scott with his new lifestyle. Other cast includes Holland Roden as Lydia Martin and Colton Haynes as Jackson Whittemore.Creator and executive producer of the series, Jeff Davis, who is probably best known as the creative mind behind the television series Criminal Minds, sat down for an exclusive interview with Scifi Vision to talk about his newest series.
Davis first started writing screen plays when he was only sixteen. "I always said if I had a social life in high school I probably wouldn't be a writer. I started writing scripts, I actually wrote a novel in high school, which is bizarre. I went to USC for grad school, starting off in directing, and realized I didn't have any time to do what I really wanted, which was write. So I switched over to the screenwriting program at USC. Got my masters in screenwriting and was lucky enough to get a feature script optioned pretty much right after leaving. I worked and slaved in IT as a computer specialist for awhile, and then sold a couple of scripts to movies, was getting caught in development hell...
"But I was getting very frustrated that nothing was getting made. And I said to my agent, "Well they make stuff in TV. They have to; they have deadlines and air space to fill on their channels," so I had an idea for a TV show, and that became Criminal Minds. I've just kind of taken off from there."
Davis did not have trouble switching gears to work on Teen Wolf. "The funny thing is is I did Criminal Minds and that was a show about monsters as well, they were just human. And its moving from the suspense genre to a more horror comedy thriller type story. It's actually been a lot of fun for me as a writer to be able to transition from something pretty serious and dark to something a little more fantastic."
Amy Bruni & Adam Berry Investigate Pearl Harbor on a special Ghost Hunters
By Jamie Ruby
Wednesday, June 1st, marks the start of new reality series Haunted Collector, but first, Syfy will air a special episode of Ghost Hunters, where the team will be going to Hawaii for the first time, to investigate paranormal activity at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor. The team will also be joined by special guest Josh Gates of Destination Truth.
Two members of the Ghost Hunting team, Amy Bruni, the only west coast TAPS core team member, and newest edition and winner of Syfy's Ghost Hunters Academy, Adam Berry, talked to the media last week to talk about the upcoming special episode at Pearl Harbor.
Wednesday, June 1st, marks the start of new reality series Haunted Collector, but first, Syfy will air a special episode of Ghost Hunters, where the team will be going to Hawaii for the first time, to investigate paranormal activity at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor. The team will also be joined by special guest Josh Gates of Destination Truth.Two members of the Ghost Hunting team, Amy Bruni, the only west coast TAPS core team member, and newest edition and winner of Syfy's Ghost Hunters Academy, Adam Berry, talked to the media last week to talk about the upcoming special episode at Pearl Harbor.
"Red Faction: Origins" Press Release
The thrilling battle for Mars rages on and will only get more tense, as Syfy brings this epic video game to life on the screen.
Red Faction: Origins is based on the Red Faction video game series created by THQ and brings to the screen a thrilling plot twist as Red Faction Officer Jake Mason has his world turned inside out when he discovers that now, 12 years after her kidnapping, his sister is still alive. As a powerful new enemy swarms across the planet, Jake goes out to find her, only to learn that his lost sister is one of them…a cold-blooded soldier sworn to destroy the Red Faction. Read the full press release below:
SYFY AND THQ ORIGINAL MOVIE RED FACTION: ORIGINS TO PREMIERE ON SYFY SATURDAY, JUNE 4, AT 9PM (ET/PT)
ALL-STAR CAST LED BY BRIAN J. SMITH (STARGATE UNIVERSE), ROBERT PATRICK (TERMINATOR 2) AND KATE VERNON (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA)
RED FACTION ARMAGEDDON VIDEO GAME SET TO BE RELEASED MAY 31
New York, NY, and Agoura Hills, CA – April 15, 2011 – Part of a first-of-its-kind transmedia deal, the THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Syfy Original Movie Red Faction®: Origins™, based on the highly successful Red Faction® video game franchise, will premiere on Syfy Saturday, June 4, at 9PM (ET/PT), less than a week after the Red Faction® Armageddon™ video game is released.
Red Faction: Origins is based on the Red Faction video game series created by THQ and brings to the screen a thrilling plot twist as Red Faction Officer Jake Mason has his world turned inside out when he discovers that now, 12 years after her kidnapping, his sister is still alive. As a powerful new enemy swarms across the planet, Jake goes out to find her, only to learn that his lost sister is one of them…a cold-blooded soldier sworn to destroy the Red Faction. Read the full press release below:
SYFY AND THQ ORIGINAL MOVIE RED FACTION: ORIGINS TO PREMIERE ON SYFY SATURDAY, JUNE 4, AT 9PM (ET/PT)
ALL-STAR CAST LED BY BRIAN J. SMITH (STARGATE UNIVERSE), ROBERT PATRICK (TERMINATOR 2) AND KATE VERNON (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA)
RED FACTION ARMAGEDDON VIDEO GAME SET TO BE RELEASED MAY 31
New York, NY, and Agoura Hills, CA – April 15, 2011 – Part of a first-of-its-kind transmedia deal, the THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Syfy Original Movie Red Faction®: Origins™, based on the highly successful Red Faction® video game franchise, will premiere on Syfy Saturday, June 4, at 9PM (ET/PT), less than a week after the Red Faction® Armageddon™ video game is released.
"Haunted Collector" Press Release
SYFY WILL PREMIERE NEW REALITY SERIES, HAUNTED COLLECTOR, FEATURING FAMILY OF PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS WHO HUNT DOWN HAUNTED OBJECTS
DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, AT 9PM
Hit Series Hollywood Treasure Returns Wednesday, June 1, at 10PM
Special Episode of Ghost Hunters Kicks Off the Night at 8PM
New York, NY -- May 16, 2011 -- Ghosts and spirits inhabit more than just homes and buildings -- they can also possess objects. In the new Syfy reality series Haunted Collector, which will premiere Wednesday, June 1, at 9PM (ET/PT), a family of paranormal investigators hunt down haunted items bedeviling their owners.
DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, AT 9PM
Hit Series Hollywood Treasure Returns Wednesday, June 1, at 10PM
Special Episode of Ghost Hunters Kicks Off the Night at 8PM
New York, NY -- May 16, 2011 -- Ghosts and spirits inhabit more than just homes and buildings -- they can also possess objects. In the new Syfy reality series Haunted Collector, which will premiere Wednesday, June 1, at 9PM (ET/PT), a family of paranormal investigators hunt down haunted items bedeviling their owners.
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!