New Doujinopolis Episode is Up

Woot!

When Mario Beuno first asked me to be a part of his live-action fanfic about the cast of Suzumiya Haruhi living in an anime supply store in NYC, I asked first “who is this?” because I hadn’t yet saved his number in my phone.
I’m super-excited because I’m back in as Koizumi Itsuki. We’ve already got plans for the second half of season one as well as…I think you’ll see.

Episode five took us about 3 hours to shoot, mainly full takes and with a LOT of improving, but with a little patience and a lot of quick thinking on the cast’s part, we worked out a thin-enough plot. Never seen anything this metaphysical at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade.

Also, my interview at Zenkaikon was just released earlier this week. You can see it here. Through the Internet! Don’t be scared.

I hope everyone got to be with loved ones for Thanksgiving, good luck to everybody with finals, mailing out holiday cards AND don’t forget December birthdays – they need love too.

As a quick side note, a few people have been purchasing CD’s without sending me their physical mailing address. Until we get the teleporter online, I’m forced to use the USPS, so be sure to e-mail me your home address, otherwise you’re just throwing things at my Paypal.

I’ll see you guys in a week at Rutgers University on Saturday, Dec. 5th.

Live, laugh & glomp,
~Yo

Vide-Yo (Puns Make Everything Better)

So this past week has been a Video Fest that I should probably share.

1) This is the video played at Zenkaikon’s Opening Ceremonies. I helped write the script and with the help of Fighter’s High from Youtube, the staff was able to pull off a miracle of silliness.

2) Cosplay Performers Mario Bueno and MostFlogged are creating a web series based on the epic store Image Anime and the Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. Episode 3 I got to play their Koizumi Itsuki. Mario’s direction before we improvised the scene: “Can you do openly flaming Mac-nerd?” This was the fruit of our labors. Look for more fun as the season unfolds (wink).

3) Cosplay Masquerade at Zenkaikon. Once again, shared the stage with the talented Reni Mimura But I always feel out of place when I’m on stage with her. I fixed that.

Yes, Uncle Yo has a Sailor Moon cosplay.

Other news, had a great interview at Cos Watch.com. I had a great time working with them, and listen closely for commentary from George Davidson, my fellow “Surviving a Mecha Attack” panelist.

Two private shows this past week that keep me on trains and turn my weekdays into a series of catnaps and free sushi dinners.
Rutgers University is full of people.
In Washingtonville, NY, there is a girl who had no anime club, so she made her own from scratch. Using the backroom of her local library, she hosts nearly 30 area kids a week, creating a solid diet of classic, current, and yaoi-friendly viewings. Her name is Amanda, and, like many fans, her love of Otaku culture has set an example for many to follow. Truly, if you build it, they will come, they will glomp, and they will quote Death Note.

See you guys at Anime USA, then Rutgers University and keep those DVD cover entries coming!

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-15

• For the record, a deep fried matzo ball tastes like a regular matzo ball – but with flavor! #
• has once again miraculously avoided being fired today. Would like to thank his dimples. #
• Heading to Rutgers University to do a show. Then Washingtonville tomorrow. Yay last minute gigs. #
• just got back from Beacon, NY w/ good news. New Episode of Doujinopolis is up at http://www.imageanime.com. It's my solo episode as Itsuki! #
• Also, new interview with http://www.coswatch.com from Zenkaikon this year! #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-15

• For the record, a deep fried matzo ball tastes like a regular matzo ball – but with flavor! #
• has once again miraculously avoided being fired today. Would like to thank his dimples. #
• Heading to Rutgers University to do a show. Then Washingtonville tomorrow. Yay last minute gigs. #
• just got back from Beacon, NY w/ good news. New Episode of Doujinopolis is up at http://www.imageanime.com. It's my solo episode as Itsuki! #
• Also, new interview with http://www.coswatch.com from Zenkaikon this year! #

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Fan-based Avatar Group Discovered

As I often say in my act, American fan cliques have a habit of celebrating their loves by taking in their beloved source material, and rework it somehow.

I’m talking about how fans can dress like Pokemon in tuxedos, creating a gothic-lolita version of the Akatsuki from Naruto, and how groups like DoD can exist.

I’d like to call your attention to a fan-based creation based on the acclaimed series Avatar: The Last Airbender. By taking the series 50 years into the future, they are able to play with the most important two words in fanfic-writing: “What If?”

They can be found here, still in their germination stage, but loaded with potential.

The group is called Avatar: The Dawning of Darkness. They work for no profit, they work from home using flash animation, and their dedication is astonishing. Depending on how they treat their world, both their original characters and pre-existing ones from Avatar itself, their season may turn out to be more accurate than whatever M. Night Shyamalan.

Zenkaikon: 3rd Year’s a Charm!

With a new location, and an almost 200% increase in attendance from last year, this year’s ZENKAIKON of Valley Forge, PA was a huge success for the con.

We had just a long line to get in on Saturday the staff was overwhelmed, but the combination of cold, Red Bull and excitement pushed through. I got to meet the staff from Fighter’s High, Trina Nishimura, and perform, once again with Reni Mimura for opening ceremonies and during the masquerade. I may have to upload the video from the masquerade….or I may want to preserve the remainder of my dignity and let it remain hearsay.

And, of course, there was this kid:

They do say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

For Whose Line is it Anime, we had our BEST show of all three years. Turns out, Robert Axelrod (Lord Zedd, Wizardmon) is the MASTER at playing Questions. And Trina Nishimura was fast-thinking, funny and fantastic at improv.

Zenkaikon is my home convention, being the first anime con I ever performed as Uncle Yo, and every year as it had grown, so has my fanbase and so has my confidence. As I said to my parents after my first performance of “Uncle Iro’s Wedding Toast for Zuko,” “it’s good to be home.”

Sold out of CD’s. Oh man, which is gonna make Anime USA in two weeks just a tad awkward. I’ll be running some panels with Mecha Software and working with the Cosplay Burlesque. Stay snappy, America, and stay warm.

Live, laugh & glomp,

~Yo

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-08

• fending off the flu that may cancel Zenkaikon unless work gets me a day off. Wink Wink, dying here. #
• grateful for the health concern. Makes me wanna survive the swine flu for more than just bragging rights. #
• Beat the plague. Laminated some InSpectres sheets, ironing the silver tie. It's game time. #
• sleeping at home before hitting Zenkai tomorrow. Which reminds me, better iron out that sailor fuku outfit. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-01

• Just got done filming at Image Anime with Mario and crew. We have the most convincing female cast imaginable. #
• Venture Bros: Kevin Conroy plays Captain Sunshine. Just strangle my childhood, why don't you? #
• Done writing dialog for ogres and gnomes for the night. This is a day of firsts. #
• When did I start wearing a fannypack? Oh, Lord, it's my stomach. #
• Walking up the rainy hill to the top of the Cloisters to see the GW Bridge/Inwood Park. #
• What's the point of going back to sleep for 3 extra hours on my day off if I'm going to have wait-mares about making espresso's? #
• heading to a SteamPunk-themed haunted house. There's something for everyone in Manhattan. #
• Louis C.K on Parks and Recreations. Jeff Dunham on 30 Rock. …Hellooooo "The Office" cameo. #
• Walked by Bumblee from Transformers on the way to work today. Seriously, giant robot. Upper West Side. Robot. #
• Working brunch as a zombie waiter. It was that or bruised/beaten Philly fan and I didn't have enough blood. Zombie waiter it is! #
• Note to self: Dominicans do not like zombies. So long as they don't disturb the Witch, nobody should get hurt. Noticeably. #

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